Kafkas Truth Essays - Diarists, Fabulists, Franz Kafka, Free Essays

Kafka's Truth Essays - Diarists, Fabulists, Franz Kafka, Free Essays Kafka's Truth Catherine Jones Dr. Shepherd Lit 2020 05 April, 00 Kafkas Truth Despite the intentional ambiguity in his work, Franz Kafkas stories do contain a few common thematic threads. Kafkas search for truth, be it about relationships, justice, religion, or human nature is the one interpretation that most critics agree upon. Wilhelm Emrich, a highly acclaimed professor in Berlin, states that Kafkas writings can only be interpreted by accepting the full truth: An assistive and willing readiness for the full truth means the ability to renounce all personal, limited ideas, wishes, and efforts of will and to enter into the fullness of all of that-which-is (50). What he is suggesting is that in order to truly hear what Kafka has to say, one is required to completely disregard the conventional. For example, if one were to read The Metamorphosis, and merely regurgitate the surface details of the story, they would entirely miss the truth behind it. On the level of relationships, the average reader might be touched by the familys tolerance for the creature, noting that they may not have been able to do the same in a similar situation. He or she may overlook the truth of this story as the realization that even the most beautiful, most tender relations among people are founded on illusions (Emrich, 142). Where was the beloved sister after his presence became burdensome? Did his family not remember his contributions to pay off the debts owed by his father? Of course not, because they became comfortable in their situation and took Gregor for granted. When his family was convinced that no hope remained for his recovery, they moved on with their lives as if Gregor no longer existed. It is difficult to draw from The Metamorphosis, any particular divine theme without first knowing that religion was the whole world to Kafka and that he viewed the total sum of possible experience in terms of religion (Muir, 36). There is a subtle religious inference within Gregors beetle existence where he seeks the way to the unknown nourishment he had been longing for (Emrich, 145). Is he longing for God, or looking for comfort in His absence? The first meal that Gregor was given consisted of bread and milk. Bread symbolizes that which is sacred in some religions. Catholicism, for example, blesses bread as the body of Christ. In biblical parables, seven loaves were broken to feed a large crowd. When Gregor refused the bread and milk, one might infer that he was rejecting God for putting him in his unthinkable condition. Emrich emphasizes Gregors possible rejection of faith: A modern man in his alienated condition, treated as an insect by his fellows who think only of appearances, frustrated in his longings which he is unable to communicate, swept awayand all the while, an unacknowledged religious victim(36). Human nature is difficult to describe, especially when one is expected to think outside of that-which-appears-to-be instead of that-which-is. After Gregor realized his metamorphosis, he still attempted to carry out his life as usual, perturbed not because he was a beetle, but because his daily work routine was disrupted. He was in a state of unresolved conflict between work and ego (Emrich, 136), meaning that although he acknowledged his changed condition, though barely, Gregor still believed that it would not hinder his ability to perform his work duties. It seems odd that Gregor, who disliked his job, would not view his metamorphosis as a clear reason to abandon it. Gregor thought to himself on that morning, If I didnt have to hold my hand because of my parents Id have given notice long ago, Id have gone to the chief and told him exactly what I think of him (Kafka, 1123). It is when this point arises that Kafka illustrated true human nature: man works out of obligation or duty, not because he enjoys it. Gregor is trapped in his insect form, just like he was trapped in his job. Self-realization and fear of death are other issues Kafka deals with in Metamorphosis. Gregor takes a long, deep look at himself and discovers his fearsome counterpart (Fickert, 47). The moment that he accepted being a beetle and started living like one, symbolizes the moment Man first

Rite, Shine, and Recognize

Rite, Shine, and Recognize Rite, Shine, and Recognize Rite, Shine, and Recognize By Maeve Maddox Here are three miscellaneous errors that cropped up in one morning’s batch of letters to the editor in my morning paper. 1. A reader responding to an editorial opposing a proposed state requirement for schools to provide compulsory instruction in cursive handwriting: Your thumbs-down reasoning on the state imposing cursive (a right of passage), and linking that to change vs. â€Å"old† ways, overlooks, as many often do, an important point. The purchase of a plane ticket might be said to confer a â€Å"right of passage.† In the context of the letter, however, the learning of cursive handwriting is viewed by the reader as a significant event in a child’s journey to adulthood. Such a transition from one phase of life to another is a â€Å"rite of passage.† 2. A reader urging the newspaper staff to scrutinize elected officials in order to make their failings public: First, I want to assure you I believe in light being shown on how our elected people are managing their responsibilities. The past form of the verb to shine is shone. The reader believes that light should be shone on elected officials. Note: Some English speakers prefer shined to shone. 3. A reader talking about the way politicians try to hurry the public into making decisions before all the facts are known: There are plenty that oppose this, but most intelligent people realize a railroad when they see one. The verb â€Å"to railroad† is a colloquialism meaning â€Å"to rush or coerce a person or thing in a particular direction or to a particular conclusion.† The noun deriving from this verb is also railroad. It means â€Å"an attempt at hurrying someone into a questionable decision.† The problem here is the use of realize in a context that calls for recognize. The intended meaning is that people are familiar enough with the practice of railroading to know an example of it when they see it. A person could â€Å"realize that they are being railroaded,† but they would â€Å"recognize a railroad when they see it.† recognize verb: to perceive to be the same as something or someone previously known or encountered. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Inquire vs EnquireOne Sheep, Two Sheep, One Fish, Two Fish . . .Word Count and Book Length