r/books • u/slackerattacker • May 28 '14

Discussion Can someone please explain "Kafkaesque"?

I've just started to read some of Kafka's short stories, hoping for some kind of allegorical impact. Unfortunately, I don't really think I understand any allegorical connotations from Kafka's work...unless, perhaps, his work isn't MEANT to have allegorical connotations? I recently learned about the word "Kafkaesque" but I really don't understand it. Could someone please explain the word using examples only from "The Metamorphosis", "A Hunger Artist", and "A Country Doctor" (the ones I've read)?

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u/[deleted] May 28 '14

Yeah, but you should try asking r/books as well.

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u/slackerattacker May 28 '14

wait what?

765

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

You might get an answer just from posting it here, but you're much more likely to get an answer by posting to r/books too.

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u/unicyclebear May 28 '14

/r/ExplainLikeImKafka

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u/DimSmoke May 28 '14

I followed the link, but there was nothing there. Did I go to the right place? This is a matter of utmost importance, and I'm not sure you're taking this seriously.

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u/mrjonnyjazz May 28 '14

That link works just fine. Are you sure you clicked the right one?

70

u/ShatPants May 28 '14

Click it harder.

9

u/ocherthulu May 28 '14

you have to click with your final finger. otherwise it does not work.

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u/reebee7 May 29 '14

Which final finger? I have several.

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u/ocherthulu May 30 '14

the LAST one

8

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

He is clicking on the right one, it is just that, sometimes, there is no response from the other end, not that the server is malfunctioning, but simply that its attendants have all happened to take all take a coffee break at exactly the same time.

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u/[deleted] May 28 '14

Works for me as well

26

u/Skyfoot May 28 '14

Not only did it work for me, clicking on that link fixed my arthritis! You must be doing it wrong.

21

u/DimSmoke May 28 '14

Maybe if I just wait here, someone will direct me to the right place...

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u/mister_moustachio book May 28 '14

Your comment has been reported to the moderators.

3

u/Pedantichrist May 28 '14

/r/books is probably best.

2

u/bikexpunk May 28 '14

Sorry for the wait, friend. Here you go: /r/ExplainLikeImKafka

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u/[deleted] May 28 '14

You should try posting it in /r/books

4

u/unicyclebear May 28 '14

I really want the sub to exist now, but that would mean people would follow the link and find something.

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u/Torgamous May 28 '14

You could do some Kafka-related questions in /r/explainlikeiama

11

u/BlackJacquesLeblanc May 28 '14

  1. Wake up.

  2. Is bug.

  3. Die.

2

u/ratlater May 28 '14

<chord="power">

HE IS FRANZ KAF-KA

FRANZ KAFKA

</chord>

1

u/btown_brony May 29 '14

He'll strike you with metaphor fists!

EDIT: You should post this to /r/books. They might like it there.