Franz Kafka, born on July 3, 1883, in Prague, was a German-speaking Bohemian writer whose works have become synonymous with the modernist literary movement. Kafka grew up in a middle-class Jewish family under the domineering influence of his father, Hermann Kafka, whose overbearing nature profoundly affected Franz's self-esteem and worldview. This turbulent father-son relationship often permeated his writings, contributing to the themes of alienation and authority.Kafka pursued law at the German University in Prague, which led to a career in insurance, a profession he found stifling and unfulfilling. Despite his demanding job, Kafka dedicated himself to writing in his spare time, producing a body of work characterized by its surreal, nightmarish quality and existential themes. His most famous works, including "The Metamorphosis," "The Trial," and "The Castle," explore the absurdities of human existence and the often futile struggle for meaning and justice.Kafka's personal life was marked by bouts of illness and anxiety. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1917, which plagued him for the rest of his life and ultimately led to his premature death on June 3, 1924, at the age of 40. Despite his relatively short life and the limited number of works published during his lifetime, Kafka's posthumously published writings have cemented his reputation as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. His influence extends beyond literature into philosophy, art, and cultural studies, where the term "Kafkaesque" has become a byword for the bizarre and oppressive complexities of modern life.
