Kafka

Synopsis

This is the acclaimed central volume of the definitive biography of Franz Kafka. Reiner Stach spent more than a decade working with over four thousand pages of journals, letters, and literary fragments, many never before available, to re-create the atmosphere in which Kafka lived and worked from 1910 to 1915, the most important and best-documented years of his life. This period, which would prove crucial to Kafka's writing and set the course for the rest of his life, saw him working with astonishing intensity on his most seminal writings--The Trial, The Metamorphosis, The Man Who Disappeared (Amerika), and The Judgment. These are also the years of Kafka's fascination with Zionism; of his tumultuous engagement to Felice Bauer; and of the outbreak of World War I.



Kafka: The Decisive Years is at once an extraordinary portrait of the writer and a startlingly original contribution to the art of literary biography.

Summary

Chapter 1: "Departure"

* Introduces the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who awakens to find himself transformed into a giant bug.
* Explores themes of alienation, isolation, and identity crisis.
* Example: Gregor feels increasingly detached from his family and the world as he struggles to come to terms with his new existence.

Chapter 2: "The Metamorphosis"

* Continues Gregor's physical and emotional transformation.
* Highlights the absurdity and horror of his situation.
* Example: Gregor's family reacts with shock and disgust, forcing him into isolation in his attic room.

Chapter 3: "The Apple"

* Introduces the housekeeper, who discovers Gregor's secret and abuses him.
* Explores themes of cruelty, indifference, and societal rejection.
* Example: Gregor's father throws an apple at him, injuring him.

Chapter 4: "The Picture"

* Depicts Gregor's increasingly desperate attempt to connect with his family.
* Highlights the power of art and imagination to provide solace.
* Example: Gregor gazes at a picture of a woman in his room, finding momentary comfort in its beauty.

Chapter 5: "The Hunger Artist"

* Introduces a minor character, the Hunger Artist, who uses self-starvation to entertain the public.
* Explores themes of exploitation, voyeurism, and the meaninglessness of modern society.
* Example: The Hunger Artist's performance attracts crowds but ultimately leads to his demise.

Chapter 6: "The Neighbor's Dog"

* Portrays Gregor's final interactions with the outside world.
* Highlights themes of rejection, persecution, and the inevitability of fate.
* Example: A dog attacks Gregor, signaling his irreversible isolation and impending end.

Chapter 7: "The Death"

* Depicts Gregor's death and the family's reaction.
* Explores themes of release, acceptance, and the passage of time.
* Example: The family discovers Gregor's body and experiences a sense of relief and liberation.