Literature Network » Franz Kafka

Samsa and Samsara: Suffering, death, and rebirth in "The Metamorphosis"

Content courtesy of

From: German Quarterly
Date: 19990401
Author:Ryan, Michael P

The variety of suffering which plagued the life of Franz Kafka is well documented. The illness which hounded him, relegating him to a life of fitful coughs and extended stays at various sanitariums, is clearly not the least of them. Before dying in Kierling of tuberculosis, Kafka would constantly suffer the most destructive form of reproach a person can endure-his own. Max Brod terms Kafka's disposition as one of "deep pessimism" (48). Such a disposition might be viewed in part responsible for his haunting tales. Considering "Die Verwandlung," William Kluback writes, "we wander into a world ...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Other Articles on Franz Kafka

About Our Articles: We've partnered with Highbeam Research to provide these article excerpts for your research needs. However, due to copyright laws, we cannot publish the whole article. To view these articles in full length you'll need to use the link above to access the free trial at Highbeam.