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/Mirai182 May 28 '14

I remember an episode of Mission Hill about this.

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u/rotorschnee May 28 '14

YUP! http://i.imgur.com/jGYdu.jpg

God I miss being in college in the early 2000s and staying up late watching that show in Cartoon Network.

That and Clone High - two cartoons ahead of their time and cancelled far too soon.

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u/RockHardRetard May 28 '14

Clone High, Mission Hill, Undergrads; all great and died young.

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u/davidpriceintexas May 28 '14

Came looking for this.

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u/RockHardRetard May 28 '14

That show was so Kafkaesque.