Monster Literature. The adjective kafkaesk, derived from the German-speaking author Franz Kafka, describes an unexpectedly threatening but also absurd situation, or the works of Kafka and also those which recall his style. The term can already be considered as Kafka-esque in the middle of the 20th century. This neologism soon made the leap into the Duden.
As a synonym can be used eerily, oddly as well as strange and partly menacing. Consequently, the adjective was used primarily to refer to the features that reminded Kafka or was used, among other things, as a description of tributes to the writer.
Thus, the term used mainly inter-literary references. Now, however, the term is also applied to extra-literary matters. In most cases, situations are described that appear inexplicably threatening, sinister, or absurd. The plot of these works is often diffuse or plays with the alienation of its actors. Recurring themes are, for example, the alienation and impotence of the respective protagonists towards an opaque system that appears to them as an enemy or an opponent cf.
These do not recognize themselves, are alien or characterized by fear and uncertainty, which sometimes appears surreal. All these characteristics can be taken under the term kafkaesk. For example, Josef K. However, the court is not accessible to him, and although there is no judgment that he or the reader experiences, he is treated as a dog one day before his 31st birthday. He also does not know why it came to this transformation or what he could do to escape it. In the narrative, everyday and surreal meet, resulting in a very oppressive, absurd and threatening reality.
This is also kafkaesk. Life and work. We do not know where the power center is, we do not even know if there is such a center at all. Short overview: The most important part of the term at a glance The term kafkaesk emerged for the first time in the middle of the 20th century as Kafka-esque.
Nowadays, however, it is also used for situations that exist outside the literature as well as for individual situations, moods, impressions or events. Note: The meaning of the term is therefore not always very clear. Often it can only be clearly understood when viewed in the context of the further text. This is just a sample. You can get your custom paper from our expert writers. Your email address will not be published. Essays Literary Devices. Don't use plagiarized sources. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.