Franz Kafka (1883-1924)
TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 29 Sep 2025
Ravi P. Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service
For scholars and literary persons who write books and articles and generally have an interest in a person and scholar and his writings and links, Franz Kafka is a well-known writer and scholar. He lived a long time ago. In many cases, such persons with literary interests and values, may not have had any links with Franz in their lifetimes — they may have been born after his death . Even so, Kafka as a scholar and his personality hold an intimate significance and attraction for them that people would like to understand Kafka’s writings and their meaning and their importance.
He obviously spoke and wrote in German language, a language that many of these scholars may not be conversant with.
What is it that despite these patent differences, the present-day scholars and writers find Kafka meaningful and attractive and would like to strengthen this linkage with him and know more about him?
Even I, who is writing briefly about Kafka was born many years after his death. And I hardly speak or know the beautiful German language, despite having lived in some parts of Germany some years ago.
Kafka wrote about several issues including himself. This was largely about the uncertainty about himself. And yet, despite his continued thinking about his weakness, Kafka continued to express himself about what he deeply believed in. He felt that despite this attitude, he must continue writing about his vision of the world. He did not feel that silence in such matters would be helpful.
Today, many people believe it was this attitude of expressing himself honestly and at length that Franz Kafka has ensured a permanence of his thoughts and opinions in today’s complex world.
It may be mentioned that Kafka’s writings — some of which are profound and some just ordinary, are important from a literary standpoint as well as from financial and political perspective.
Some of his famous literary works include The Metamorphosis, The Trial and many others. His distinctive literary style, blending realism with surreal or grotesque elements, led to the term “Kafkaesque,” which describes bewildering, surreal, and often oppressive situations found in his stories and the world.
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Dr Ravi P Bhatia is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment, an educationist, Gandhian scholar and peace researcher. Retired professor, Delhi University. His new book, A Garland of Ideas—Gandhian, Religious, Educational, Environmental was published recently in Delhi. ravipbhatia@gmail.com
Tags: Franz Kafka, Literature
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 29 Sep 2025.
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