Franz Kafka – ever heard of him? Probably in some gloomy high school classroom or a random meme. But, Kafka is way more than just a dead German-language author.
He was a unique voice in literature, a writer who tapped into the isolation and existential dread that a lot of people secretly feel. Born in 1883 in Prague, Kafka was part of the German-speaking Jewish minority – which already made him an outsider in his hometown. Here’s all you need to know this gloomy yet charismatic man who has taken over the minds of Generation Z people these days.
Everything You Need To Know About Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka wrote during a time when Europe was undergoing massive social and political changes. His family wasn’t that supportive — to put it more bluntly, Kafka had “daddy issues.” His dad, Hermann Kafka, wanted him to be a businessman, but Kafka had other plans, and those didn’t involve the family business.
Franz Kafka’s strained relationship with his domineering father fueled much of the anxiety that crept into his writing. His works dig deep into topics like isolation, absurdity, and trying to find meaning in a world that makes zero sense. Maybe that’s why a hundred years after his death, Gen Z can’t seem to get enough of him.
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Despite the push to pursue a more “respectable” career, Kafka took up writing, though it wasn’t a job that paid the bills. By day, he was an insurance clerk, and by night, he delved into his true passion. His most celebrated works are ‘The Metamorphosis‘ and ‘The Trial‘ — loved and celebrated equally even centuries after his death. Though they are considerably eerie and strange, to say the least, they do the job that Kafka intended to get done quite aptly.
In ‘The Metamorphosis‘, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The novella delves into Gregor’s gradual estrangement from his family, who initially try to help but soon grow disgusted and distant.
‘The Trial‘, another classic, tells the story of Josef K., a man arrested one morning without any explanation and thrown into an incomprehensible legal system. Throughout the entire novel, he is trying to figure out what he’s accused of, but the legal system he faces is absurd and impossible to navigate. As in many of Kafka’s works, the story doesn’t end well for Josef K.
How Franz Kafka’s Work Got Famous?
Franz Kafka might have remained an obscure insurance clerk with a stack of unfinished manuscripts if it weren’t for his best friend, Max Brod. Kafka was notoriously self-critical and doubted his writing abilities, often referring to his works as “nonsense.”
In fact, shortly before he died in 1924 from laryngeal tuberculosis, Kafka gave Brod explicit instructions to burn all of his unpublished writings after his death. If Brod had followed through, we’d have missed out on some of the most important literary works of the 20th century.
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But, as luck would have it (for us, anyway), Brod completely ignored Kafka’s request. Instead of burning the manuscripts, he went on to publish them, starting with ‘The Trial‘, which quickly gained recognition as a literary masterpiece.
And honestly, we all owe him a huge thanks for that. Without Brod, works like ‘The Metamorphosis‘, ‘The Trial‘, ‘Amerika‘ and ‘The Castle‘ would never have seen the light of day. It’s kinda ironic, isn’t it? Kafka didn’t believe in his own genius, yet today so loved by us all.
Franz Kafka’s Relevance In Today’s World
Now, why is Gen Z, usually obsessed with TikTok and Instagram, so much into Kafka these days? Well, it turns out, Kafka’s stories hit a little too close to home. ‘The Metamorphosis‘, where a guy wakes up one day as a giant cockroach, sounds ridiculous, but the underlying theme? It’s all about isolation, societal pressure, and feeling out of place.
One TikTok user summed it up perfectly: “Getting out of bed is our own daily metamorphosis struggle.” It’s no wonder the hashtag #Kafka has over a billion views on the app!
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In between all those “Get Ready with Me” and lip-sync videos. This sudden burst of interest in Kafka on social media has led to a huge increase in the sales of his books, which have reportedly tripled.
On top of that, Kafka’s exploration of love and relationships in his letters and stories resonates with young readers who are questioning traditional norms. His love life was messy, full of doubts and misunderstandings.
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In a world where love is more complex than ever (thanks to dating apps!), Kafka’s honest take on human desires feels refreshingly real. In his letters to Milena Jesenská, for instance, his deep emotional struggle shines through, as he navigates the fine line between heart and reason.
For a generation that challenges conventions, Kafka’s complicated romantic experiences seem almost prophetic. It’s like the guy was ahead of his time, writing about his “situationship” long before it was even a word.
If only Kafka was here to see how much he’s loved by this generation!
