Summary
Franz Kafka, a seminal figure in 20th-century literature, continues to cast a long shadow over Prague, the city of his birth and life. From Kafka's grave in Prague’s New Jewish Cemetery to numerous Kafka-themed cafes, museums, and shops, the author’s presence is pervasive throughout the city. Despite Kafka's personal request for his works to be destroyed, his friend Max Brod preserved his writings, leading to a posthumous fame that Kafka himself would have likely disdained. This exploration delves into the Kafka industry that thrives in Prague, examining how his literary legacy is celebrated and commercialized, often in ways that starkly contrast with the author's own tortured, introspective nature.
Highlights:
- Kafka's grave is an attraction despite his wishes for obscurity.
- Prague hosts a myriad of Kafka-themed locations, from museums to cafes.
- Max Brod's crucial role in preserving Kafka’s legacy.
- The Kafka industry influences high culture and academia extensively.
- Kafka’s thoughts on his own fame and the commercialization of his work.
Franz Kafka, an iconic literary figure, remains integrally woven into the fabric of Prague, where he spent his entire life. His influence permeates the city, from his grave at the New Jewish Cemetery to the Kafka Museum and beyond. Kafka's entombment site, marked by an expressionist-style headstone, is a place of homage for many, adorned with candles and notes, despite Kafka’s own preference for privacy. His legacy extends to Kafka-themed establishments like cafes, bookstores, and even a Kafka watch sold for $2,500, illustrating a commercialization that Kafka himself would have likely critiqued.
Kafka’s literary works continue to be a cornerstone for scholars and enthusiasts, creating what is now referred to as the 'Kafka industry.' This term describes the extensive academic and cultural engagement with Kafka's work, which includes films, biographies, and countless literary analyses. The ratio of words written about Kafka to words written by him is estimated at about 1:10,000,000, highlighting the extensive exploration and interpretation of his oeuvre. This industry not only keeps Kafka’s legacy alive but also supports a vast network of scholars and interpreters who delve into the Kafkaesque elements of alienation and bureaucratic absurdity.
Despite the ongoing fascination with Kafka’s works, the city of Prague has transformed significantly since Kafka’s time, making it difficult to fully capture the essence of his day-to-day life. The Jewish Quarter, where he was born, has undergone extensive changes, losing much of the character that influenced Kafka’s settings and themes. Moreover, Kafka’s complex relationship with his fame and the commercialization of his work reflects a broader tension between an artist’s intentions and the public’s reception. Agnieszka Holland’s recent film 'Franz' attempts to navigate this by offering a modest portrayal of Kafka, focusing more on the man than the myth, yet it too contributes to the ever-growing Kafka Inc.