Existential Explorations in Literature: Kafka's Impact on Human Nature

Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883, in Prague, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as the child of a Jewish family. His father, Hermann Kafka, was a successful retailer and also an authoritative figure. Kafka's relationship with his father was often tense, as Hermann Kafka wanted his son to join the family business and pursue a more traditional career.

Kafka studied law at Charles University and completed his doctorate in this field. However, his passion for writing always took center stage in his life, and literature appealed to him more than law. Before venturing into a literary career, he worked in legal positions at an insurance company. This period heightened the internal conflicts regarding choosing writing as a profession.


Kafka's works often encompass complex, absurd, and surreal themes. Many of his pieces delve into the individual's conflicts with society, authority, and their own existence. One of his most famous works, "The Metamorphosis" (Die Verwandlung), explores the transformation of Gregor Samsa into an insect and deeply examines the sense of alienation.

His writings are typically classified in a style known as Kafkaesque, a term used to express the unique atmosphere and meaning of Kafka's works. His pieces often depict the individual's helplessness, the impasse of systems and bureaucracies, alienation, and meaninglessness.

Kafka also struggled with health issues and succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 40 on June 3, 1924, in Vienna. Kafka had not published a significant portion of his works before his death, and it was after his demise that his writings were discovered by a wide readership. His works are considered among the most important and influential in 20th-century literature. Kafka is remembered as one of the pioneers of modern literature, crafting works infused with absurd and metaphysical elements.


Franz Kafka was influenced by various writers, philosophers, and thinkers in his literary works. Additionally, Kafka's works had a significant impact on later writers and thinkers. Here are some important figures who influenced Kafka and those he influenced:
Influential Writers and Thinkers:

1. Fyodor Dostoyevsky:
   • In Kafka's works, especially in pieces like "Crime and Punishment" and "Notes from Underground," the influence of Dostoyevsky's works is evident. Dostoyevsky's depth of character and psychological analyses may have inspired similar themes in Kafka's works.
2. Franz Grillparzer:
   • Grillparzer, a romantic dramatist whose works Kafka read during his childhood, is considered one of the authors who influenced Kafka. The themes of melancholy and loneliness in Kafka's works may have been influenced by Grillparzer.
3. Søren Kierkegaard:
   • Existential themes in Kafka's works are thought to be influenced by Kierkegaard's philosophy, particularly in the confrontation with one's own existence and the search for meaning. These themes are frequently encountered in Kafka's works.

Writers and Artists Influenced by Kafka:

1. Albert Camus:
   • Camus incorporated existential and absurd elements from Kafka's works into his own, seen in works such as "The Stranger" and "The Fall." Camus regarded Kafka as a significant precursor and was influenced by his ideas.
2. Gabriel García Márquez:
   • Latin American writer García Márquez developed his magical realism style influenced by Kafka's works. His works like "One Hundred Years of Solitude" may evoke Kafkaesque atmospheres.
3. Haruki Murakami:
   • Japanese writer Murakami frequently incorporates Kafkaesque elements into his works. Themes of meaninglessness, alienation, and the supernatural, influenced by Kafka's works, are prominently present in Murakami's writings.

Franz Kafka left a thought-provoking legacy for his contemporaries and future generations through his works, and his literary influence continues to be strong.


Franz Kafka's works have left profound impacts both in literature and on human thought in general. His influence on humanity can be examined under the following main headings:

Existential Questions and Human Nature:
Kafka addresses existential questions in his works. Themes such as the purpose of one's existence, alienation, and meaninglessness are frequently encountered in Kafka's writings, prompting contemplation on the nature of human existence.

Critique of Bureaucracy and Authority:
Kafka sharply criticizes bureaucracy and authority. In works like "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial," he emphasizes the decay of the system individuals find themselves in and highlights the absurd aspects of bureaucratic structures that constrain individuals. These critiques shed light on societal issues that remain relevant today.


Creator of Kafkaesque Atmosphere:
Kafka's works led to the birth of the term "Kafkaesque," representing a unique atmosphere in literature characterized by a dreamlike, illogical, surreal, and alienated world. The Kafkaesque style has found its place in many works of literature and other art forms.

Inner Journeys and Individual Conflicts:
Kafka's characters often confront internal conflicts and existential trials. Examples such as Gregor Samsa's transformation in "The Metamorphosis" or K.'s inexplicable oppression in "The Castle" represent the characters' inner journeys. These characters grapple with the challenges and helplessness of human existence.

Pushing Literary Boundaries:
Kafka challenged classical literary boundaries and disrupted traditional storytelling norms. His departures in narrative structure, perception of reality, and plot intricacies brought a new perspective to the world of literature.

Postmodern and Existential Impact:
Kafka's works are considered foundational to postmodernism and existentialism. Kafkaesque themes and atmosphere have become pivotal in postmodern literature. Additionally, by exploring the fundamental concepts of existentialism, Kafka contributed to the development of this philosophical movement.

Kafka, with his works and intellectual depth, left a significant impact not only in literature but also in philosophy, psychology, and social criticism. His writings guide readers to contemplate and delve deeply into the complexity of human existence.