Selected Stories of Franz Kafka

Selected Stories
of Franz Kafka
Study Guide by Course Hero
the one-act play The Warden of the Tomb. Still others are not
What's Inside narratives but brief observations of people, feelings, events, or
states of being. Kafka's work defies description to some
degree. The unique voice, style, and structure of each piece
j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1 allows for multiple interpretations. His most famous short
stories explore surreal and virtually unimaginable situations
d In Context .................................................................................................... 2
such as "The Metamorphosis," "A Hunger Artist," and "In the
a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 3 Penal Colony." The short narrative genre allows Kafka to
explore an isolated event, such as a philosopher enamored by
h Characters .................................................................................................. 4 a child's top, through a lens of metacognition, an examination
of internal thought processes. It permits Kafka to make a
k Plot Summary ........................................................................................... 12
commentary on how human thought and experience is multi-
layered. The works of Kafka remain relevant because they
c Part Summaries ....................................................................................... 15
explore the eternal human condition and a person's place in
g Quotes ........................................................................................................ 33 the given society or situation.
l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 37 PERSPECTIVE AND NARRATOR

Franz Kafka uses multiple points of view depending upon the
m Themes ....................................................................................................... 37 context of the selection. His most common perspective is a
first-person point of view where Kafka himself is both
character and storyteller. In some cases the first-person
narrator is not a human but rather an animal as in
j Book Basics "Investigations of a Dog," an inanimate object as in "The
Bridge," and sometimes a character from another time and
AUTHOR place as in "An Old Manuscript." Kafka often uses a third-
Franz Kafka person point of view to describe an event as an outside
observer or to describe a particular scene/situation with
YEAR PUBLISHED
insights from one character in particular. This is the case in
1904–71
"Wedding Prep in the Country" where the story is told from the
vantage point of the groom-to-be Eduard Raban. Other
GENRE
selections include nonfiction essays, drama, and brief
Allegory, Fiction
statements about life in general.
AT A GLANCE
TENSE
Many of Franz Kafka's short stories, story fragments, personal
Some stories are written in the past tense. Others appear
anecdotes, and other selected writings at various stages of
entirely in the present tense, such as "The Bucket Rider." Some
completion are included in these selected stories. Some
selections shift between past and present tense.
selections were published by Kafka himself during his lifetime.
Others were published after his death by Kafka's close friend
ABOUT THE TITLE
Max Brod (1884–1968). Most titles are short stories except for
Selected Stories of Franz Kafka examines many of Franz
Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide In Context 2
Kafka's shorter works. It includes short stories, a drama,

essays, personal anecdotes and musings, and some selections Austria-Hungary
that might be regarded as poetry. These selected stories are
from the English translation by Willa and Edwin Muir published Kafka lived in Bohemia, a largely Czech-speaking part of the
by Schocken Books in 1971 under the title The Complete Austrio-Hungarian Empire (1867–1918). This province was
Stories. often at odds with the German-speaking Hapsburg monarchs

who ruled over it. Those who were culturally Czech made up
the majority of the population, and they saw their rulers and the
German-speaking minority in Bohemia as intruders. Kafka did
d In Context speak Czech, but German was his native language and culture.
This made him part of the Bohemian minority that was often
the target of the anger of Czech nationalists.
Change and Modernism Jews were also targets of discrimination and violence in
Bohemia during Kafka's lifetime. These attacks came both
Franz Kafka's work defies explanation via any single context or from Czechs and Christian Germans. Jewish-owned
literary or historical movement. While certain works can be businesses were vandalized, Jewish citizens were assaulted,
interpreted as making a commentary on particular government and street rioting was frequent. Kafka was largely spared from
or social situations of Kafka's time his body of work lacks unity the most direct effects of this anti-semitism because of his
of theme or purpose. father's strong ties with the Czech business community. These
attacks impacted Kafka's work and contributed to his feelings
Kafka lived during a period of rapid change. The beliefs of the of separateness and isolation.
past were being refined and challenged. Human ingenuity, in
the form of scientific breakthroughs and industrialization (the
shift to large-scale manufacturing in the 19th century), Family Relationships
improved life for some but maintained a rigid social structure
based on the accumulation of material goods. Like many While most young men of this time grew up and moved away
upper-middle class Europeans of this time, Kafka began to from home, Kafka largely contradicted this pattern by living in
question the status quo and existing social and governmental his parents' home for much of his adult life. His parents were
structures that only seemed to perpetuate inequality. businesspeople who collaborated with the Czech majority to
ensure the success of their enterprise. Kafka, in contrast to his
Some place Kafka's work in terms of modernism, a reactionary
parents, was incredibly intense and deeply engaged in his
movement in art and literature to these shifting societal forces.
literary pursuits. He also engaged in activities that were
Modernist literature seeks to engage the reader in an active
perhaps too progressive for his time, such as vegetarianism,
and ongoing interpretation of the text informed by their
gymnastics, and even nudism. Such practices and attitudes
perceptions and experiences. Like many of Kafka's works,
brought Kafka into inevitable conflict with his parents, whom
modernism defies convention by refusing to adhere to a typical
Kafka expected to support his writing, even to the point of
narrative structure of beginning, middle, and end. It might be a
limiting sound in the house while he was at work. Though Kafka
snapshot of a scene, a stream of consciousness, or a typical
moved away from his family in the last two years of his short
narrative that ends abruptly. These characteristics can be
life, most of his life was spent in the city of Prague in his
found in Kafka's work, but not all scholars consider Kafka a
parents' home. The strain of these family relationships can be
true modernist because the movement is generally thought to
seen throughout his body of work.
have started after World War I (1914–18). This devastating
global conflict pit Germany against much of Europe, and some
of Kafka's body of work predates this.
Surrealism
The work of Kafka embodies many parts of the literary and
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Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Author Biography 3
artistic movement known as Surrealism. Surrealism in literature

seeks to merge the conscious mind and the unconscious mind
Education and Work
into a new reality. Many Surrealists believed that the human
Kafka's family encouraged him to pursue education. Kafka
subconscious houses a tremendous amount of creativity that
spoke German and Czech and attended Charles University in
can be channeled into art and literature. Kafka cannot be fully
Prague, a city in the Czech Republic. While at Charles
categorized as a Surrealist in the strictest sense because the
University, he met two men who would become lifelong friends
movement is widely believed to have originated around the
and fellow writers, Max Brod (1884–1968) and Felix Weltsch
time of his death. The movement is an artistic response to the
(1884–1964). Kafka was awarded his doctor of law degree in
devastating effects of global conflict of World War I (1914–18).
1906. Kafka gained employment at the Worker's Accident
However, his work maintains several of these Surrealist
Insurance Institute which monitored and regulated conditions
qualities.
in factories for the Kingdom of Bohemia. Though he was well-
In many of Kafka's writings the line between the real and the liked and accomplished in his career, many biographers point
imagined is often blurred. A dream or fantasy can create just to Kafka's struggles in balancing his day job and his writing.
as valid an experience as something more tangible. Some of Kafka was a working professional during the day, but he
Kafka's works can be interpreted as his own stream of immersed himself in his literary circle and his writing during
consciousness without any finite linear path. Some people see non-working hours, often staying up very late at night and
the situations he presents as surreal in their very dark getting little sleep.
encapsulation of the human condition and human nature.
Kafka wrote prolifically despite being employed full time for
most of his life. However, his interest in publication was limited
and he only published a few of his works during his lifetime.
a Author Biography Toward the end of his life, Kafka became concerned with
keeping his remaining works away from publishers. He
entrusted his best friend Max Brod as the executor of his
Family Life literary effects under the promise that Brod would destroy
them. Brod defied Kafka's wishes and published three of his
Franz Kafka was born July 3, 1883 in the city of Prague in the novels and several stories.
nation now known as the Czech Republic which was then
The Complete Stories (1971) includes selections Kafka
referred to as Bohemia. Kafka's father was a fashion merchant
published as well as those released by Brod after Kafka's
and his mother worked alongside him in the family store. Kafka
death. The works in the volume span the entirety of his literary
and his five younger siblings were cared for primarily by the
career. Some are incomplete and were not meant for public
household's domestic servants. Kafka had a strained
consumption as revealed by Kafka's explicit instructions not to
relationship with his parents and during his teenage years he
publish his papers.
proclaimed himself to be a socialist (a person in favor of an
economic system that minimizes or eliminates private
property) and an atheist (a person who does not believe in
God). Though he was born into a Jewish family his parents did
Struggles
not adhere strictly to religious mandates. However, Kafka did
Most literary historians view Kafka as a very troubled man. He
have his Bar Mitzvah, a celebration of a Jewish boy's thirteenth
struggled with his relationship with his family. He lived with his
birthday. He infrequently attended Jewish temple services. As
family for most of his life, and alternated between periods of
Kafka grew older, he became interested in Yiddish theater and
closeness with them and a desire to break free of their
dated a Jewish woman, which brought him closer to his Jewish
involvement in his life. Kafka was twice engaged to a German
heritage and faith.
woman named Felice Bauer (1887–1960) though they never
married. He carried on relationships with two other women
toward the end of his life but never wed or had children.
Kafka was plagued with both physical and mental health

Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Characters 4
problems most of his life. Many believe that he suffered from died on June 3, 1924 in a sanitorium in Vienna, Austria.
depression and anxiety, and these conditions heavily
influenced his work. Diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1917, Kafka
had to retire from his job.
h Characters
Art Mirroring Life

The narrator in "The Burrow"
Kafka's works reflect his personal struggles. The complicated
relationship he had with his parents is mirrored in "The The narrator in "The Burrow" is a creature who greatly values
Judgment" in which a young man is left no choice but suicide in safety and security. His burrow is his haven, where he feels
light of the knowledge that his father is disappointed in him. safe from the outside world and its many dangers. When the
The late-night writing sessions that produced surreal imagery narrator begins to feel threatened, he panics because he has
are utterly apparent in works such as "Descriptions of a no real plan for how to manage the emotions associated with
Struggle" and The Warden of the Tomb. While Kafka's works the new feeling of being invaded by some outside force.
are not considered autobiographical in the strictest sense, his
characters are troubled people who lack the clarity of thought
that Kafka is believed to have experienced. His stories also Blumfeld
harken to his anarchist, or anti-government, and socialist
leanings at various points in his life. The stories make clear that Blumfeld in "Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor" is a very particular
existing governmental institutions are wholly inadequate to elderly man who finds fault in almost everything. He is clearly a
meet the needs of the people. bachelor by choice because he finds others around him to be
nothing but a nuisance. Blumfeld sees himself as smarter than
everyone else, both at home in his building and at work with his
Death and Legacy assistants. Such feelings of superiority lead him to reject the
two bouncing balls that he finds in his apartment and might
Kafka escaped the horrors of the Holocaust, the systematic have kept him some company. Instead he traps them and gifts
slaughter of millions of people by the Nazis, because of his them to someone else.
early death at age 40. His three sisters survived him only to die
in German concentration camps or places where Holocaust
victims were housed and exterminated. Ironically, after Kafka's Eduard Raban
death his work became popular in many parts of Europe after it
was published by his friend Max Brod (1884–1968) during
Eduard Raban, whose adventure is chronicled in "Wedding
World War II (1939–45)—a global conflict that pitted Germany,
Preparations in the Country," is a businessman who is
Japan, and their allies against the United Kingdom, France, and
apprehensive about his impending wedding. He has
their allies. Even in Germany and Austria, where the anti-
presumably waited until later in life to arrange this marriage for
Jewish Nazi regime had the firmest hold, people began to read
himself. He may be apprehensive about having to change his
and admire Kafka's work in the years immediately after the
ways. As he travels to his ultimate destination, the inn where
war.
his bride is waiting, he seems to be reconsidering his future.
The works of fiction penned by Kafka continue to be enjoyed

and read in multiple languages all over the world. His work is
admired for its surreal take on situations where the almost Georg Bendemann
unimaginable becomes imaginable. His characters often find
themselves in bizarre settings where tangible reality and the Georg Bendemann in "The Judgment" is a man successful in
constructs of the mind become entwined. Because scholars business but not successful in maintaining relationships with
consider his work to be open to multiple interpretations it those closest to him. He alienates his friend in Russia and
continues to be read and pondered by people today. Kafka makes his father angry with the way he has handled the family

business. In spite of his father's judgment of him, Georg still Because of the narrator's frequent shifting of the action from
very much loves and values his father and his father's opinions scene to scene, it is often challenging to keep up with whether
of him. He values his father so much that after realizing his the narrator is in the surreal world of his mind or the tangible
father's extreme disappointment in him, Georg commits world in which he is walking down the snowy streets of Prague.
suicide.
The acquaintance
Georg's father
Unlike the narrator in "Description of a Struggle" the
Georg Bendemann's father in "The Judgment" has clearly not acquaintance seems to remain in the tangible plane of
recovered from the recent loss of his wife, and he takes out his existence. He walks and talks with the narrator and then
grief on those around him. He secretly corresponds with a inexplicably stabs himself in the arm at the news that the
friend of his son's and then accuses his son of keeping narrator is engaged. It is possible, though not certain, that the
important business secrets from him. Ultimately, Georg's father relationship between the acquaintance and the narrator is a
is like many elderly parents in his belief that his son has deep one based on the narrator's action of placing his head in
abandoned him and has strayed from the things he has taught the acquaintance's lap. It might even have romantic undertones
him. This leads him to judge his son somewhat harshly and not since the acquaintance stabs himself at the knowledge of the
provide him any real opportunity for redemption. Instead of narrator's romantic entanglement with someone else.
offering forgiveness or a path forward, Georg's father
sentences his son to "death by drowning" and leads to Georg's
suicide. The narrator in "A Little
Woman"
Josephine
The narrator in "A Little Woman" is self-important. He believes
Josephine in "Josephine the Singer," who is likely a mouse, is that he is the sole source of misery for a woman in his town,
incredibly self-important. Because she has a special singing even though the two have never met. Though he is somewhat
ability that the rest of her community lacks, she believes vain he is not without a desire for this woman's best interests.
herself to be above everyone else. She so badly wants special He seeks out counsel from others on how he should handle the
recognition that she pleads again and again to be given a situation.
reprieve from her daily work. She believes her singing is a
sufficient contribution to her community. The perception of the
community toward Josephine does not match her self-image. The narrator in "The Great Wall
While everyone gathers dutifully to listen to her sing, they do
not believe that she merits special privileges and they refuse to of China"
give her a dispensation from her daily duties.
The narrator of "The Great Wall of China" is a man of many
questions. He questions every aspect of the Great Wall—why it
The narrator in "Description of was built, how the government got people to support it, why it
was built in such a fashion, and what it does for the people. In
a Struggle" his questioning the narrator also examines the role of the
Chinese Imperial government and finds it lacking. His
The narrator in "Description of a Struggle" is a young man conclusion is that the Wall was built largely because the people
somewhat annoyed with his companion and his need to find are not practiced at questioning what the "high command"
someone to talk to. However, the narrator is also highly in wills. The voice of the old man narrator displays Franz Kafka's
touch with his subconscious mind and describes events that disdain for governmental institutions that only seek their own
seem to be somewhat divorced from his immediate reality. aims and fail to truly address the needs of the people.

Prince Leo "The Village Schoolmaster"

Prince Leo in The Warden of the Tomb is a thoughtful ruler who In "The Village Schoolmaster" the businessman is a truly
cares about those in his employ. He understands the need for benevolent person whose only desire is to help. Such a desire
more staff to help the Warden in his difficult task of keeping leads him to write a pamphlet in support of the schoolmaster's
the dead in their tombs. He also shows great concern for the discovery. However, he is presented as a man who acts in
Warden when he makes clear that he is in very poor health. haste without thorough consideration of precisely what the
The prince is new to his role and his lack of experience has best way to help will be. Because of this and his failure to
caused some talk among the nobility of the kingdom. However, understand what would genuinely aid the schoolmaster, he
the prince is a competent ruler who is proactively taking action does more harm than good.
when situations arise, such as ghosts who seek freedom from
their resting place.
The colonel
Red Peter The colonel in "The Refusal" is the embodiment of autocratic
control. He administers a frontier town on behalf of the capital.
Red Peter, also known as Rotpeter, in "A Report to an People are frightened of the colonel and his guards. Instead of
Academy" is an incredibly intelligent primate. After recognizing ruling benevolently, the colonel always refuses the reasonable
that he could not escape his human captors, he decides requests of the townspeople, and this keeps them in poverty.
instead to collaborate with them, thus allowing him some The characterization of the colonel as a callous ruler alienated
semblance of freedom. This freedom is not complete and Red from the desire to see to the well-being of his people allows
Peter feels some pain and remorse for the way he has been Kafka to critique such governments. Instead of working toward
forced to abandon his ape nature to live as a human. Through reform that might actually aid the community, the colonel
the character of Red Peter, Kafka explores the way that merely follows the orders of the centralized head of
individuals can resist through accommodation or meet some of government located far away from this frontier outpost.
their goals by collaborating with their exploiters. This
reconceptualizes the notion of freedom.
The country doctor
The Burgomaster of Riva The country doctor in "A Country Doctor" is a kind man who
genuinely seeks to help his community. He cares about the
The Burgomaster of Riva in "The Hunter Gracchus" is a health and well-being of his patients as well as the servants in
welcoming man with an attitude of open acceptance. He is kind his household. His concern is evident by him going to great
and gracious in his interactions with the mysterious and lengths to visit his ill patient even though the doctor's horse
otherworldly Gracchus, even though he does not fully has died. He worries frequently about his servant Rose and her
understand Gracchus's situation. The Burgomaster of Riva is in safety while he is out on this house call. In some ways,
some ways a foil to Gracchus. While Gracchus lives in a surreal however, the country doctor has trouble communicating with
world where life and death are entwined, the Burgomaster of his patients who seem to cling to the performance of surreal
Riva is firmly planted in the literal physical realm, as evidenced rituals over modern medicine. He goes along with their strange
by the questions he asks Gracchus. plans that require him to enter the bed of his patient naked.
The businessman narrator in The narrator in "Investigations

and nostalgia. Though everyone else in the colony has ceased

of a Dog" to support this barbaric practice, he maintains his enthusiasm
for "the apparatus" as an instrument of torture. He is so
The dog narrator in "Investigations of a Dog" is far more committed to continuing this practice that he would rather die
human-like than dog-like. He is incredibly introspective and than see the end of this method of execution.
considers questions about his identity and his interactions with
the larger world. The narrator is also highly reflective. As he
considers major past events from his life, he determines that
certain experiences have made a permanent mark on his
The schoolmaster
existence.
The schoolmaster in "The Village Schoolmaster" is a lower-
income man living in a small village who discovers a giant mole.
As a teacher and novice academic he decides to write a
The explorer pamphlet about this giant mole. Unfortunately, no one believes
the giant mole actually exists as the schoolmaster has
The explorer in "In the Penal Colony" experiences a huge described. The schoolmaster is an angry man who feels he has
range of emotions as he witnesses bizarre events. He is at first been wronged by everyone around him. He desperately wants
mildly curious at the method of execution, but becomes what he sees as his important achievements to be recognized,
horrified when he realizes precisely how these executions are but he is only mocked by those around him. This morphs into
carried out. He is also disturbed because the execution is anger and jealousy at the only man who seeks to help him, the
being conducted for only a minor infraction of disobedience. businessman.
The explorer does his best to remain a neutral observer to the
degree he is able in light of the extremely upsetting
circumstances. He does prove his commitment to his beliefs,
however, in his decision not to officially support the execution
The Warden
when asked to by the officer.
The Warden in The Warden of the Tomb is a man near death
from exhaustion. His job at first appears to be guarding against
the disturbance of the revered ancestors in their tombs.
The Hunter Gracchus However, it becomes quickly apparent that his job is actually to
keep these ancestors, who attempt to escape each night, in
The Hunter Gracchus in "The Hunter Gracchus" is a man with the tomb. He is clearly a good warden and loyal to his king
no real identity and no finite plane of existence. Though he since he works every night tirelessly fighting the ghosts who
says he died in a hunting accident, the ship that was to carry try to get out of the tomb, even to the detriment of his own
him to death somehow lost its way. This leaves him endlessly health. Though he shows bravery in the face of these ghosts,
drifting from place to place with no ultimate destination. In he is also somewhat of a fearful man. He is uncomfortable
some ways Gracchus contradicts the myth surrounding the speaking in front of certain nobles within the king's court and
River Styx and the journey of the dead to the afterlife. In Greek seems to lack trust in the living people around him.
mythology this river was managed by Charon, whose duty it
was to take departed souls across this body of water.
Gracchus's story suggests that perhaps the process by which
souls move to the afterlife does not always run smoothly and
that sometimes souls remain in a state of limbo.
The officer
The officer who plans and carries out human torture in "In the
Penal Colony" is a man driven by his commitment to tradition

Full Character List The narrator in

"The Great Wall
The narrator of "The Great Wall of
China" reflects back on the building
of China" of the Great Wall.
Character Description
Prince Leo in The Warden of the
Prince Leo Tomb is the new leader of his
The narrator in "The Burrow" is a
kingdom.
The narrator in burrowing animal who becomes
"The Burrow" obsessed with the idea that
someone is threatening his home. Red Peter, also known as Rotpeter,
in "A Report to an Academy" is a
Red Peter chimpanzee who performs for
Blumfeld, in "Blumfeld, an Elderly
humans and lives his life in the
Bachelor," is an old man who
Blumfeld manner of a human.
discovers two bouncing balls that
follow him around.
The Burgomaster, or mayor, of Riva
is in "The Hunter Gracchus." He
Eduard Raban is the groom-to-be in The Burgomaster
welcomes the Hunter to his town
Eduard Raban "Wedding Preparations in the of Riva
and carries on a conversation with
Country."
him.
Georg Bendemann is a young man in

The businessman The businessman is a character in
"The Judgment" who greatly
Georg narrator in "The "The Village Schoolmaster" who
disappoints his father with his recent
Bendemann Village writes a pamphlet in support of the
behavior. He commits suicide at his
Schoolmaster" giant mole.
father's behest.
The colonel in "The Refusal" is the

In "The Judgment" Georg
The colonel tax collector and ultimate authority
Bendemann's father is the man who
Georg's father in the community.
renders his judgment upon his son,
resulting in Georg's suicide.
The country doctor in "A Country
The country Doctor" is a physician who makes
Josephine in "Josephine the Singer"
doctor house calls on his patients in a rural
has a beautiful voice that leads her
Josephine community.
to believe she should receive special
treatment from her peers.
The narrator in The narrator in "Investigations of a
"Investigations of Dog" is a dog who ponders various
The narrator in "Description of a
a Dog" facets of his existence.
The narrator in Struggle" is a young man who
"Description of a describes both real and surreal
Struggle" events that occur while on a walk The explorer in "In the Penal Colony"
with an acquaintance. is a sailor visiting various places. He
The explorer
is invited to witness an execution
taking place in a penal colony.
The acquaintance in "Description of
a Struggle" is the walking
The companion of the narrator. He The Hunter Gracchus in "The Hunter
acquaintance convinces the narrator to leave the The Hunter
Gracchus" is a man trapped in limbo
party and take a walk with him to Gracchus
between life and death.
listen to his problems.
The officer in "In the Penal Colony"

The narrator in "A Little Woman" is a The officer is the man who carries out the
The narrator in "A
man who believes a woman he's executions.
Little Woman"
never met hates him.

The schoolmaster, or teacher, in The fat man tells a story to the

"The Village Schoolmaster" is the narrator in "Description of a
The
man who initially discovered the The fat man Struggle." He is carried by servants
schoolmaster
giant mole and wrote a pamphlet on a litter or a raised platform in a
about it. dream-like world.
The Warden in The Warden of the The narrator in "The Refusal" is a

The narrator in
Tomb is the man who watches over third person narrator, or Franz Kafka
The Warden "The Refusal"
the graves of the ancestors in himself.
Prince Leo's kingdom.
The narrator in "Josephine the

The narrator in
In "Wedding Preparations in the Singer" is a third-person narrator
"Josephine the
Country" Betty is the woman whom who lives in the same community as
Betty Singer"
Eduard Raban is on a journey to Josephine.
marry.
Harras is the man who rents the

Two assistants at the linen factory office next to the narrator in "My
are assigned to work with Blumfeld. Harras Neighbor." The narrator believes
Blumfeld's two
He believes they were hired for their Harras is spying on him and
assistants
incompetence to increase his attempting to steal his business.
dissatisfaction at work.
Josef is the man in "A Dream" who

Chamberlain is a nobleman in The dreams of his own death. He sees
Warden of the Tomb who warns the an artist creating his tombstone but
Chamberlain Josef
prince about the possible effects of wakes up not feeling frightened,
placing guards inside the tomb. even after witnessing the events
surrounding his own burial.
The coal peddler in "A Bucket Rider"
is the man who sells coal from his Julia is the woman over whom
cart. He is subservient to the wishes Schmar kills Wese in "A Fratricide."
The coal peddler Julia
of his wife and allows her to She is presumably a love interest
investigate the sounds he believes that both men share.
he hears.
Eduard Raban runs into his friend

Countess Isabella in The Warden of Lement while Eduard is on the way
the Tomb is one of the ghosts who to meet his bride and attend his
Countess
visits the Warden at night. She tries wedding in "Wedding Preparations in
Isabella Lement
to seduce the Warden to get him to the Country." Lement invites Raban
allow her to exit the tomb. to stay the night with him, but Raban
refuses because he needs to go to
his wedding.
Don Quixote is the title character in
the novel of the same name by
Miguel de Cervantes whom Kafka Lord High Steward is a nobleman in
Lord High
references in one of his short The Warden of the Tomb who is
Don Quixote Steward
musings. Don Quixote erroneously critical of Chamberlain.
believes he is a knight, and he takes
his companion Sancho Panza on
many humorous adventures. Mrs. Wese is the wife of the murder
victim in "A Fratricide." She rushes
Mrs. Wese
out to find her husband's dead body
Dr. Bucephelus in "The New on the street.
Advocate" is the new attorney
Dr. Bucephelus described in the short sketch. He will
have many challenges to overcome
as he enters the profession.

N. is the man who the narrator in Sancho Panza is the sidekick of the
"The Married Couple" at first character of Don Quixote in the
believes is dead but who is only Sancho Panza novel Don Quixote by Miguel de
N.
sleeping. He is a potential client of Cervantes. He appears in the story
the narrator who desperately wants "The Truth About Sancho Panza."
to sell N. something.
Schmar is the murderer in "A

Schmar
N.'s wife wakes up N. when the Fratricide."
N.'s wife narrator in "The Married Couple"
believes N. is dead.
The brother in "The Knock at the
The brother Manor Gate" is imprisoned after his
The narrator in "My Neighbor" is a sister knocks on the gate.
man with intense paranoia about his
neighbor stealing his customers and
The narrator in The Arab caravan leader is the head
harming his business. He becomes
"My Neighbor" of the expedition in "Jackals and
so paranoid that he believes
someone is spying on his phone Arabs" who beats the jackals with a
conversations. whip when they begin to devour a
The Arab camel carcass. He has knowledge of
caravan leader the long-standing hostilities
Pallas is the witness to the murder between the jackals and the Arabian
Pallas
of Wese in "A Fratricide." travelers and explains to the
European man that the jackals have
sought their death for some time.
The narrator in "A Bucket Rider" is a
poor man seeking coal on credit to
The narrator in "A
keep warm. He calls out to the coal The charwoman is Blumfeld's
Bucket Rider"
peddler for help, but the coal housekeeper in "Blumfeld, an Elderly
The charwoman
peddler's wife ignores his pleas. Bachelor." She is a somewhat dense
woman with an equally dense son.
Poseidon in "Poseidon" is the Greek
god of the sea. In Kafka's work he is The charwoman's son in "Blumfeld,
Poseidon
not a powerful god but a lowly an Elderly Bachelor" is a 10-year-old
administrator. boy to whom Blumfeld attempts to
give two bouncing balls. The young
The charwoman's
boy seems so void of cognitive
Prometheus in "Prometheus" is the son
abilities that he is unable to
Greek god of fire about whom many understand Blumfeld's explanation
myths are penned. Kafka examines of the balls or that Blumfeld wishes
Prometheus
popular mythology and stories to give them to him.
written by others about this mythical
creature.
The coal peddler's wife pretends
she doesn't hear begging by the
Rose is the maid of the country narrator in "A Bucket Rider." She
doctor in "A Country Doctor" who is The coal
values profit over people so she
attacked by the groom when he peddler's wife
wants to avoid giving coal to the
Rose appears. The country doctor poor, cold man on credit, knowing
obviously cares for Rose because that he might never pay.
he worries about her safety being at
home alone with the violent groom.
The cobbler is the narrator of "An
Old Manuscript." He tells the tale of
The narrator in "The Married how nomadic raiders have come to
Couple" is a salesman who calls on The cobbler
his town and the Emperor and his
The narrator in N. at home to try to tell him guards do nothing to protect the
"The Married something. He is surprised when he people in these interlopers.
Couple" discovers that his potential client,
whom he thought had died in front
of him, was only sleeping.

The condemned man of "In the The jackal is an animal in "Jackals

Penal Colony" did not honor his and Arabs" who asks the narrator to
superiors and was thus sentenced kill his Arab companions with a pair
The condemned to death. Throughout, he calmly of scissors. The jackal and his
The jackal
man listens to the officer describe the companions have long had conflict
instrument of torture because he with the Arabian caravans,
does not speak the same language presumably over sharing the limited
the officer speaks. resources of the desert.
The Emperor in "An Old Manuscript" The Commandant of "In the Penal
The
does nothing to help his people Colony" is the man in charge of the
The Emperor Commandant
when they are threatened by a penal colony.
group of vicious nomadic raiders.
The princess in The Warden of the

A European man is the narrator in Tomb enters the stage at the very
The princess
"Jackals and Arabs." When a jackal end of the drama and asks Prince
asks the man to murder his Leo for his continued help.
The narrator in companions with a pair of scissors,
"Jackals and the man does not comply but he
Arabs" shows some compassion for the The reporter in one version of "A
jackals in stopping the caravan Report to an Academy" is the man
The reporter
leader from whipping them as they who interviews Red Peter, also
devour a camel carcass. known as Rotpeter, about his life.
The former Commandant in "In the The sick boy in "A Country Doctor"
Penal Colony" is a man revered for has a palm-sized wound full of
The sick boy
his creation of the machine that worms on his leg. He begs the
The former country doctor to save him.
tortures the condemned. This
Commandant
"apparatus" is the center of the
action as the officer presents its The Sirens are characters in "The
capabilities to the explorer. Silence of the Sirens" and creatures
from Greek mythology who sang so
Georg's friend in Russia is a man beautifully that sailors would crash
The friend in with whom both Georg and his into rocks to get to them. In contrast
The Sirens
Russia father correspond in "The to the original Greek myth in which
Judgment." they are defeated by placing wax in
the sailor's ears, these Sirens give
Ulysses a reprieve after they see the
The frightened citizen in "The look on his face.
A frightened Refusal" is the man who appears
citizen before the colonel and asks him for
certain economic concessions. The sister in "The Knock at the
Manor Gate" carelessly knocks at
The sister
the gate, leaving her brother to face
The giant mole in "The Village dire consequences.
Schoolmaster" might not actually
exist, but it is believed to be a mole
The giant mole much larger than the standard size. The supplicant is a character in the
The mole is so large and unusual fat man's story in "Description of a
that a local schoolmaster writes a The supplicant Struggle." This man is unusual
pamphlet about the creature. because he prays by beating his
head on the ground.
The groom in "A Country Doctor" is

a ghost-like figure that suddenly The trapeze artist in "First Sorrow"
The groom appears and produces two horses. is only happy when swinging from
The trapeze
He is violent and attacks Rose, biting his trapeze. When he realizes he
artist
her cheek. only has one trapeze and could have
two, he becomes inconsolable.

Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Plot Summary 12
a scene or emotion in a style similar to free verse poetry.

The woman in "A Little Woman" is
the person that the narrator in "A
Little Woman" believes hates him.
The little woman
She exhibits a physical sickness that
the narrator believes is the result of
Long Stories
his very existence.
The manager of the trapeze artist in Descriptions of a Struggle

The trapeze "First Sorrow" listens to the trapeze
artist's manager artist's complaints about having only This is one of Franz Kafka's most fragmented shorter works,
one trapeze.
and it does not follow a linear plot structure. It first revolves
around a man taking a walk with an "acquaintance." The scene
Ulysses, also known as Odysseus, is
suddenly shifts to a surreal world in which a "fat man" being
a hero of Greek mythology. In
Ulysses Kafka's "The Silence of the Sirens" carried on a litter by servants begins to tell the story of a
Ulysses avoids disaster simply by supplicant or person deep in prayer and penitence.
the look on his face.
Wese
Wese is the murder victim in "A Wedding Preparations in the Country
Fratricide."
A man named Eduard Raban takes a journey to meet a woman
named Betty, whom he is to marry. Along the way he meets an
k Plot Summary
old friend and takes a ride on a train.
The Judgment
Selected Stories A man named Georg Bendemann finds out that both he and his
father are writing the same mutual friend in Russia. Georg's
The selected stories of Franz Kafka vary in length. Some are
father explains his disappointment in Georg and then
longer and are considered traditional short stories. Others are
sentences Georg to "death by drowning." Georg takes this
shorter and could be described as musings, character
literally and jumps off a bridge.
sketches, and personal anecdotes. Selections are divided into
two sections: "Long Stories" and "Shorter Works." These
selections include works published during Kafka's lifetime and In the Penal Colony
works published posthumously by Kafka's friend Max Brod
(1884–1968) against Kafka's explicit wishes. Many of the works An explorer witnesses the cruel and barbaric practice of
are incomplete drafts, fragments missing pages, and personal torture with an unusual machine that painfully inscribes
musings never intended for publication. whatever laws were broken into the body of the accused.
Each of the longer stories is examined separately in the guide,

except for "The Hunter Gracchus," "The Great Wall of China," The Village Schoolmaster
and "A Report to an Academy." Each of these is a complete
story followed by a second fragmentary version. Both the A schoolmaster writes a pamphlet about a giant mole in his
complete and fragmentary versions are addressed together in community, but everyone believes he is crazy. A businessman
the guide. decides to help the schoolmaster gain acceptance and positive
notoriety by creating his own pamphlet in support of the mole.
The shorter works are examined in groups based on shared
thematic elements. These works range in length from a few
sentences to a few pages. Some works in this category are
more expository than narrative in structure, and some describe

almost all instances, the man refuses the requests of his

Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor
constituents.
An elderly man comes home one day and finds two bouncing
balls that follow his every move.
Investigations of a Dog
A first-person dog narrator explains his youth and loss of
The Warden of the Tomb
innocence. The dog ponders some of the overarching
Kafka's play recounts a meeting between a prince, his steward, questions pertaining to his existence.
and the Warden who guards the tomb containing revered
ancestors. Instead of remaining dead, these ancestors torment
the Warden each night in an attempt to escape.
A Little Woman
A man recounts his experiences with a woman who loathes
him for no apparent reason. Her hate of him is so severe that
A Country Doctor
she becomes physically ill.
A doctor takes two supernatural horses, provided by a magical
but vicious groom, to visit a sick boy in the country. The boy is
gravely ill, but instead of treating him medically the villagers
The Burrow
force the doctor into performing a strange ritual with the boy
A first-person animal narrator describes his home and refuge:
that they believe will heal him.
his burrow. He becomes quite alarmed when he feels that his
burrow is being threatened by an outside force.
The Hunter Gracchus

Gracchus is a man—neither fully alive nor fully dead—who
Josephine the Singer
meets the mayor of a town named Riva and tells this man
Josephine the mouse sings beautifully but is very vain. When
about his journeys in this state of limbo.
her community refuses to give her the special recognition she
believes she deserves she leaves them, only to be quickly
forgotten.
The Great Wall of China
In an essay-like story, a man describes the history of the
building of the Great Wall of China from the perspective of an Shorter Works
elderly man who lived through its construction.
In "Clothes," "Rejection," and "On the Tram" Kafka explores
women through observations of their person, actions, and
A Report to an Academy interactions with men.
In "Reflections for Gentlemen-Jockeys," "A Visit to a Mine,"

A chimpanzee retells his life story: After being captured in the
"The New Advocate," "My Neighbor," "The Helmsman," and
wild, he chooses to allow himself to be trained to live as a
"The Married Couple" Kafka comments on work. He explores
human so that he can enjoy some freedoms.
human workers and their experiences in varied fields.
Death and tragedy are also highly important themes in the

The Refusal
work of Kafka. In "A Dream," "A Fratricide," and "The Cares of
In this community a single man serves as the sole authority, a Family Man" Kafka examines death. In "The Bridge," "The
and people must appear before him for him to render a verdict Bucket Rider," "The Knock at the Manor Gate," and "First
on their request. In the incident described in the story, and in Sorrow" Kafka examines other elements of finality, tragedy, or

grief.
Animals are popular characters in many of Kafka's works, and

in "Jackals and Arabs," "A Crossbreed," and "The Vulture"
Kafka examines interactions between the human and animal
world.
In "An Old Manuscript," "The Problem of Our Laws," and "The

Conscription of Troops" Kafka critiques governmental
systems that do not serve the people well.
Kafka also reexamines and recontextualizes traditional myths

and legends in "The Truth About Sancho Panza," "The
Silence of the Sirens," "Prometheus," "The City Coat of
Arms," "Poseidon," and "A Little Fable." In some of these
stories Kafka uses a humorous tone, and the mood of the work
is more lighthearted in comparison to many of his other works.

Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Part Summaries 15
c Part Summaries Analysis

The work is fragmented and shifts from scene to scene with
limited context. Some critics such as John Updike
"Description of a Struggle" (1932–2009) believe it to be one of Franz Kafka's lower quality
works. Updike wrote the introduction for the 1971 Schocken
Books version of the text.
Summary Nevertheless, the work lends itself to multiple interpretations. It
is possible that the narrator's acquaintance is not an individual
"Description of a Struggle" is divided into three distinct parts. In
separate from the narrator, but rather an extension of his
the first part, the narrator is at a party when he and someone
consciousness or existence. Perhaps he represents that which
he refers to as only his "acquaintance" decide to leave to go
is grounded in the things of this world, such as romantic
for a walk "up the Laurenziberg," a hill in Prague. It is very cold
relationships with the opposite sex. Not wanting to confront
and snowing so the walk seems ill-advised, but the two set out
the realities that exist in the plane of reality, the narrator
on it anyway. The acquaintance seems to be having problems
transports himself to a fantastic and imaginary world in which
with a woman with whom he is involved and wants to speak to
problems with women are no longer relevant. In this imaginary
the narrator about it. The narrator seems largely uninterested
world, he meets a far more interesting companion in the fat
and does several things that seem designed to make his
man who tells him stories of fantasy instead of talking with him
acquaintance uncomfortable such as placing his head in his
about a real girl from an actual social interaction. In the end the
acquaintance's lap.
narrator cannot escape the reality of the walk with his
The narrator in "Description of a Struggle" rides on the back of companion nor the reality of his life.
his acquaintance to a magical world that has an ever-changing
Perhaps also the narrator and his companion have some sort
landscape in the second part of the story. After his companion
of deeper relationship or entanglement. The narrator's lack of
becomes wounded and unable to continue to carry him, the
interest in listening to his companion talk about a woman he
narrator walks on alone. As he walks he comes upon a very
kissed and the narrator's act of placing his head in his
large man being carried on a litter, or raised platform, by
companion's lap suggests that perhaps he has some romantic
several men. The fat man is carried by his men into a nearby
interest in him. His companion's act of stabbing himself in the
river where they drown, though the fat man is able to sail off
arm at the news of the narrator's engagement could also
further down the body of water on the floating litter. The
suggest that the feelings are mutual.
amazed narrator follows the fat man who begins to tell the
narrator a story about a supplicant who prays to excess by The piece can also be interpreted as an allegory for the way
beating his head against the ground. The supplicant has an human minds wander in and out of reality, sometimes failing to
interaction with a woman who asks why he prays in this way. make the distinction between the real and the imagined.
The story continues and the scene shifts to a party where the
narrator wants to play the piano but the party guests move him
away from it and fawn over him. He then leaves and ventures
outside where he meets a drunk man with whom he converses
"Wedding Preparations in the
about Paris.
Country"
In the third part of the story, the narrator seems to return to
the walk to Laurenziberg with his acquaintance. The narrator
tells his acquaintance that he is engaged to be married. The Summary
acquaintance then stabs himself in the arm with a knife. The
narrator helps him bandage the wound and the story "Wedding Preparations in the Country" is a story fragment that
concludes. tells of the journey of Eduard Raban to meet Betty, the woman
whom he is to marry. Raban starts out by observing the road in

front of him where "many people [are] walking in various overall plan for Raban and Betty.
rhythms." He continues to observe those around him as he
makes his way from his home to the tram station in the rain.
Raban seems to have some concerns about his impending "The Judgment"
nuptials, and imagines the possibility of taking "the form of a
large beetle" who could then hibernate and presumably avoid
the marriage.
Summary
When he finally makes it to the tram platform he is greeted by
The story opens as Georg Bendemann, a young merchant, is
his friend Lement, with whom he visits for some time. Lement
writing a letter to a friend of his who has recently moved to St.
asks Raban to stay the night with him, but Raban refuses and
Petersburg, Russia. Georg hasn't seen his friend in three years
eventually boards the tram. While on his journey Raban
and has much to report. The family business that he is now
observes the other travelers. They are primarily "commercial
heading is doing well. However, Georg doesn't want to include
travelers'' on their way to conduct business. He eventually falls
all of this in his letter as his friend had previously invited him to
asleep for the remainder of the train ride.
set up his business in Russia and Georg declined. The friend in
When he arrives at his destination it is still raining and he learns Russia has a business that is not doing well, so Georg doesn't
he will need to take an "omnibus," a special carriage for want to give him cause for jealousy. He decides, however, to
travelers, to the village he intends to visit. Though he must wait end the letter with news of his recent engagement and an
for the carriage driver, he eventually comes to his conveyance invitation for his old friend to attend the wedding.
and Raban arrives at the inn where he is to meet Betty. When
Georg then enters his father's chambers to find his father in
no one is there to greet him, Raban wonders why this is.
the darkened room in somewhat ill health. He tells his father
that he wrote his friend in St. Petersburg a letter. Georg's
Analysis father then confronts him about how he has changed since the
death of his mother. Among these changes has been the
Raban is portrayed as unhappy and somewhat unsure of his neglect of his friend in Russia and the accusation that Georg is
pending nuptials. This characterization suggests that he might engaging in deceptive business practices. His father also
be a symbol of fear of marital commitment. Franz Kafka reveals that he has himself been writing to Georg's old friend in
himself was twice engaged but never married. Russia. Because Georg's father is clearly upset and being
confrontational, Georg feels bad for having not cared well
Interestingly, Raban knows that he must follow through on his enough for his aging father. However, his father remains quite
commitment. Even though the chance encounter with Lement angry at what he sees as Georg's selfish behavior and says to
seems to provide an opportunity for Raban to delay his arrival Georg: "I sentence you now to death by drowning!" Having
to meet Betty, he refuses this diversion. Ultimately, Raban been condemned Georg runs out of the house and jumps off a
seems able to overcome his fears and follow through with what bridge into a large body of water.
has already been planned. However, this might also be
interpreted as Raban lacking the agency to change his fate. No
matter what happens on the way (the rain, the meeting with Analysis
Lement, the absent carriage driver), his ultimate destination is
to meet his bride, whether he likes it or not. Some readers believe this story mimics Franz Kafka's own
strained relationship with his father because the central
The story is highly descriptive, and many parts of the world relationship of the narrative is the one between Georg and his
around Eduard Raban form a large part of the narrative. It elderly father. However, the familial interpretation of this text
might be that Raban is a highly observant man or that he goes beyond Kafka's own experiences. Georg could represent
makes these observations to distract him from thinking about any child dealing with an ailing and aging parent. Like most
his future life with Betty. Since this story is a fragment and children he feels that he has not done enough to properly care
missing several pages, the reader can only guess at Kafka's for his father in his time of need. He also allows his father to

exert control over him even as an adult, and even to his death. the man.
Other interpretations center around the notion of judgment, The officer goes on to describe the instrument of torture to the
either from a personal or legal vantage point. In this case it explorer in French. The condemned man does not speak
seems that whatever Georg might have done doesn't appear to French, however. In light of this, both the condemned man
warrant a death sentence. To Georg, though, his belief in his (who is described as looking "like a submissive dog") and the
father's capacity to judge him for what he really is seems to explorer together listen calmly as the officer describes the 12-
trump any innocence he might possess. Viewed from this lens hour process by which the condemned are executed in the
it is reasonable to infer that Georg was powerless to stop apparatus. Much to the explorer's horror, the officer reveals
himself from jumping and that his father's judgment of him had that all the condemned man had done was fall asleep on sentry
to be carried out. duty and then threatened a superior. He also explains that no
trial was held, and the condemned man has no idea what is
The friend in Russia is also an interesting symbol in the about to happen to him. The officer concedes that the practice
narrative who represents the way that an outsider can cause of using the apparatus was once embraced by all. The former
friction within a family. Both Georg and his father have some Commandant, whom the officer greatly admires, invented the
sort of independent relationship with this man in Russia and he, machine. Now the officer himself is the only one openly
from afar, is able to play a large role in the relationship supporting it. Because of this the torture machine has fallen
between Georg and his father. While the friend in Russia is not into disrepair and doesn't work as well as it should.
a fully developed character, Georg has fared far better than his
friend in terms of business success and finding someone to The Commandant likely invited the explorer to witness the
marry. This success seems to have separated Georg from execution so that the explorer would point out the barbarity
someone with whom he was once close. In contrast Georg's and help end the practice per the officer's belief. To thwart this
father has retained a relationship with this man even though he plan, the officer next asks the explorer to instead tell the
is no longer an equal in terms of social standing. This provides Commandant that he supports such executions. When the
some insight into the character of both Georg and his father explorer refuses to do this, the officer releases the condemned
and suggests to some degree that at least some of Georg's man and shows the explorer a slip of paper that says "BE
father's assertions about Georg's poor behavior are valid. JUST." The officer then gets into the machine himself. Luckily it
breaks down and kills him quickly. The condemned man and
the explorer then visit the teahouse of the colony and see the
"In the Penal Colony" grave of the former Commandant who invented the machine.
He is said to one day return to bring back the old ways. The
explorer then leaves the colony by boat, taking none of the
Summary men with him.
The story is set on a penal colony, presumably somewhere in

the French Caribbean. An "explorer" is traveling in the vicinity,
Analysis
and the penal colony's Commandant invites him to witness the
"In the Penal Colony" exemplifies Franz Kafka's ability to create
execution of an inmate for "disobedience and insulting
unimaginable and truly horrific situations. The explorer is in
behavior to a superior." The explorer is first introduced to the
some ways bound by his agreement to be a passive observer,
"apparatus" that will be used for the execution by the officer
but at the same time is truly horrified by what is being
who carries out such duties. The apparatus is best described
described to him and then what he ultimately witnesses. He is
as an instrument of toruture. The condemned lies on the "bed"
in a virtually impossible situation in which he recognizes the
and then a "harrow" uses blades to inscribe the rule the
rights of this society to enforce its own policies but becomes
criminal has been accused of violating. Though a harrow is a
aware that most are not in agreement. Though the explorer
farm implement with multiple teeth or tines used to break up
wants to help limit the wasting of life for trivial reasons, he
the soil, this "harrow" is used not to plow but to torture. In this
ends up in effect sentencing the officer to his death for
case the machine will inscribe "HONOR THY SUPERIORS!" on
breaking the rule of "being just." The explorer's judgment of

this practice is the one that truly seems to matter. work, which he believes is "only transiently and indirectly
associated" with the mole matter.
The penal colony is a place where judgment is swift and
absolute, and the accused have no opportunity to defend The schoolmaster has only further disdain for the narrator's
themselves. This mirrors other works of Kafka where he work. Instead of lending an air of respectability to the
questions what justice constitutes. While it is true that the schoolmaster, it serves only to remind people of all the crazy
condemned man broke the laws of his society, Kafka questions mole business he started. It makes the schoolmaster angry at
whether or not the laws of the society are just. He also the narrator and perhaps even jealous at the narrator's
questions whether the punishment for a crime, such as death possible attempt to capitalize on his discovery. Eventually
by slow torture, must be agreed upon by all members of the realizing that he did more harm than good, the narrator sends
society or only a select few. "a circular demanding the return of all the copies [of his
pamphlet] distributed."
Readers might place themselves into the role of the explorer
and consider the predicament he finds himself in. Interestingly, The narrator and the schoolmaster eventually meet in person
readers cannot truly conclude whether the explorer would and find out they had very different aims in the whole thing.
have stopped the execution of the condemned man because The giant mole is something the schoolmaster admits that he
he ultimately lacks this opportunity. The explorer also doesn't had hoped to profit off to support his family. The narrator
get a chance to stop the suicide of the officer because things reveals that he thought his support might lead to a position of
progress so quickly. In other words the explorer bears witness honor for the schoolmaster in his village.
to a series of truly horrific and impossible events but remains
relatively powerless to act. In the end the explorer decides to
quickly depart from the colony. The reader might wonder if the Analysis
explorer feels that the practice of torture is eradicated with the
death of the officer. It's also possible that the explorer simply Sometimes in life what a person does in an effort to help
lacks the emotional strength to stay in the colony and someone else ends up actually harming them. Such is the case
investigate further in light of what he has already determined. with the narrator and the schoolmaster. The narrator takes a
paternalistic attitude toward the schoolmaster, believing that
with his support and publicity the schoolmaster can become
"The Village Schoolmaster" something greater than he is. As in most cases of misguided
paternalism, the narrator only makes things worse for the
person he is trying to help. It would seem that the narrator's
vanity and belief that he is important enough to change a man's
Summary life and reputation simply with his endorsement becomes his
downfall.
"The Village Schoolmaster" is a story told from the perspective
of a first-person narrator. The businessman narrator in "The Like many of Franz Kafka's works "The Village Schoolmaster"
Village Schoolmaster" provides background about the situation does not end with a clear resolution. A resolution is implausible
in another village in which there was allegedly a sighting of a because the narrator has already released his pamphlet. He
giant mole. The village's schoolmaster made the mole his cannot undo what he has done even though he says that he
special project and proceeded to write a pamphlet about it. will try. However, the last line reveals that "it seemed an
Unfortunately, when a scientist visited the village he declared impossible idea to ever show him the door." This suggests that
the work of the schoolmaster to be ridiculous and that no mole the two men might become friends or at least come to some
of such a size could actually exist. common understanding, unity, or purpose in the future.
Because he is a businessman of some repute the narrator It is interesting to consider the mole in terms of its actual
decides to write his own pamphlet in support of the existence. One alternate title of this work is "The Giant Mole"
schoolmaster's assertions. His belief is that if he shows which seems to suggest that the mole is the center of the story
support for the schoolmaster, he will finally get the recognition or at the very least a seminal part of it. Since the village
he deserves. He seeks only this, and not praise for his own

schoolmaster devoted many years to the mole, the reader aspects of dog ownership such as "dogs' diseases" and that
might infer that the mole exists. However, the lack of public dogs age more quickly than humans. When he is surprised by
acceptance leads to the opposite conclusion. Whether the inanimate companions in the bouncing balls he only becomes
mole exists or in what specific capacity it might exist doesn't annoyed, though such a unique experience might be
seem a real concern of the narrator. He is singularly focused appreciated by someone else as something to abate
on helping the schoolmaster. loneliness.
Blumfeld also resents the visit by his housekeeper, whom he
"Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor" believes is doing a poor job at following his directions. This is
one example of how he views those around him as lacking in
cognitive ability, alongside the example of his low opinion of his
assistants based on his belief of their utter stupidity. The
Summary housekeeper's son also shares this stupidity since he "shows
every sign of his origin" and is a "hopelessly dense creature."
Blumfeld, an elderly bachelor with a sixth-floor apartment,
He even sees the balls, which seem at the outset to be highly
begins to consider the possibility of getting a dog to keep him
evolved objects in their ability to follow him, as mere toys for
company while walking up the stairs to his home. After
children.
weighing the issue, he decides that the dog would be a pain to
care for and that he would "be burdened later on by such an It would seem then that his own lack of interest in getting to
old dog" who would have trouble getting up and down the know and appreciate those around him is what leads to
stairs. Blumfeld's isolation from others. Even at his work, where he is
clearly the superior of many others, he doesn't look for
When he enters his apartment, he is greeted by two bouncing
companionship or good in his subordinates but spends his time
balls that follow him wherever he goes. They make a noise as
finding things about which to chide them.
they bounce so he places a rug under his bed to dampen their
sound and allow him to sleep. When his charwoman, or
housekeeper, arrives in the morning to clean he stays immobile
so she will not hear the balls bouncing. He eventually decides
The Warden of the Tomb
to trap the balls in his wardrobe, a piece of furniture for
hanging clothes, which he accomplishes successfully. Deciding
that the balls are now "mere toys in his wardrobe," he attempts Summary
to give them away to the charwoman's son. The charwoman's
son, whom Blumfeld believes is quite dense, does not seem to The Warden of the Tomb is a one-act play. It opens in the
understand Blumfeld's offer. Some girls offer to go retrieve the middle of a conversation between Prince Leo and a nobleman
balls and give them to the boy. named Chamberlain about something to which the reader is
not privy. Prince Leo then reveals that he'd like to add "a guard
The scene then shifts rather suddenly as Blumfeld arrives for down in the tomb" where his revered ancestors lie in rest.
work at the linen factory. This is followed by a description of Though there is already a Warden who patrols above ground,
Blumfeld's two assistants who work in his office at standing Prince Leo feels this is insufficient. Chamberlain says he
desks and apparently do very little work. The two assistants doesn't think this is a good idea because it would "have a
and Blumfeld's servant begin to fight over who will sweep the police connotation." The existing Warden is then brought in for
floor. Blumfeld yells at them. questioning. He appears to be on the verge of death because
he seems not to have slept for quite some time. He also
reveals that he is afraid of Chamberlain but he doesn't state
Analysis why, so Prince Leo asks Chamberlain to leave.
The characterization of Blumfeld is of an old man who finds The Warden explains to the prince that he is so tired because
little joy in the world around him. While a dog might be a good the "lords of the tomb" come and visit him at night and keep
companion for a man alone, Blumfeld focuses on the negative him up. It becomes clear that the Warden's job is to keep

people in the tomb versus keep people out of it. He explains in their most alive state and the dead are not at their most
that the different people try to fight him to get out. One, the dead state. In this world of dreams the living and the dead can
Countess Isabella, tries to seduce the Warden to let her out. interact, as in the Warden's experiences with the dead people
The Prince exits the scene and the Warden hides behind a who are seeking escape. It also seems that the dead believe
divan as Chamberlain and Lord High Steward, another they can cross over to the realm of the living and fight for this
nobleman, enter. The two men talk about politics and the state possibility. Presumably, in doing so they are sucking the life
of things with Prince Leo newly ascended to the throne. right out of the Warden.
Steward accuses the Warden of being an "active worker for
evil" and a ghost. They try to take the Warden away, but the
prince insists he be treated with care so they put him on a "A Country Doctor"
stretcher. The princess is then introduced to the Warden. She
reveals she is tired and asks for the prince's continued help.
Summary
Analysis The country doctor is the protagonist of this narrative. He
urgently needs to visit a sick patient. Unfortunately, the
Franz Kafka's play may examine sleep and dreaming, and the
doctor's horse has just died and he lacks transportation. Two
period immediately prior to sleep in which one is in an altered
horses and a groom suddenly and magically appear. The
state. Some sources even suggest that Kafka suffered from
groom seems somewhat violent and lust-ridden. He attacks
hallucinations while sleep deprived because of his intense
Rose, the doctor's servant, and bites her on the cheek. The
writing sessions. In the play the Warden has spent significant
doctor doesn't want to leave the groom home with his servant,
time without sleep. This may be what is causing his visits from
but he knows his patient is very ill so he leaves in the carriage
ghosts in the night.
driven by the newly-appeared horses.
The drama contains irony in the sense that what is expected is

After he arrives at his patient's home, he finds his patient: a
not the reality. It seems at first as though Prince Leo needs to
young boy. The sick boy whispers in his ear, "Doctor, let me
add an additional warden to prevent people from entering the
die." The two magical horses poke their heads through the
tomb and disturbing the rest of those there interred. However,
window of the home, and this reminds the doctor of his servant
it is actually additional guards that are needed to help keep the
Rose who is still at home with the dangerous groom. The family
dead nobles inside the tomb. The Warden, who is old and
of the young boy is very concerned about him, and they stand
appears near death, is likely not able to continue to guard the
by anxiously. However, after an examination the doctor
tomb and keep its inhabitants inside forever.
decides that the boy is fine and not really ill. The doctor
Characterization also figures heavily into this drama which decides that it was a waste of his time to venture out leaving
contains little action and mostly dialogue. Chamberlain is the Rose at home. Suddenly, the doctor notices a palm-sized
voice of reason, pointing out that it would appear bizarre and wound that is swarming with worms in the boy's right hip. The
perhaps even totalitarian ("a police connotation") if Prince Leo boy now asks the doctor, "Will you save me?"
posts a guard within the tomb. He also points out to Lord High
The villagers then strip the doctor naked and put him in the
Steward that he is silly and overstepping in having all these
bed with the dying boy. The doctor tells the boy that his
opinions about the Warden and the Prince's court. Prince Leo,
"wound is not so bad" and that he's going to be all right. The
on the other hand, acts based on emotion and feeling. He
doctor then leaves to return home in his carriage, naked and
wishes to maintain his family tradition of guarding the tomb
freezing.
even though Chamberlain believes it's a bad idea. Prince Leo is
also deeply moved when the Warden becomes quite ill and
rushes immediately to his aid.
Analysis
The play also examines the line between life and death. In
Like many of Franz Kafka's works, "A Country Doctor" moves
some ways sleep is a middle ground in which the living are not
back and forth between the real and the surreal. The reader

gets a glimpse of what it is like to be a country doctor: lands of the earth." The Burgomaster of Riva believes this life in
underpaid work for people that one can never make happy. limbo sounds awful and asks the Hunter what he did to warrant
However, events such as the sudden appearance of a groom such a sentence. The Hunter says all he ever did was hunt and
and two horses and the groom's attack on Rose are not he committed no terrible offense. He says that the ship to take
grounded in concrete reality. him to the land of the dead somehow lost its way. The
Burgomaster of Riva welcomes the Hunter to his town and
The boy's utterances are interesting because they show an asks him if he will stay a while. The Hunter replies that he is not
openness to death in the midst of extreme suffering, but still a sure how long he is staying because his "ship has no rudder."
fear of its finality. The condition of the boy's hip also points to
the challenging work of a country doctor. The family did not "The Hunter Gracchus: A Fragment"
know how to properly care for the wound and the situation
became quite dire. The family and the villagers likely have The Hunter Gracchus has been sailing for 1,500 years in this
beliefs rooted in superstition and not science. They seem to fragment of a similar story, A man visits him on his ship, has a
believe that the ritual of placing the doctor naked in bed with glass of wine, and asks him some questions. The Hunter
his patient will save the boy. This is part of the frustration with Gracchus chides the man and tells him, "you really don't know
the doctor and his clientele; their practices are hard for him to anything" since the man does not seem to be as familiar with
understand. Gracchus's life story as he should be.
Still, the doctor is a caring man. He worries about Rose and

even admits that he is "generous and helpful to the poor" which Analysis
is likely why he goes on this urgent visit.
Both of these stories revolve around a failure to understand
Building upon this notion, one reading of the text is that the "the other," someone who is so different that even simple
country doctor is a kind and giving man who seeks only to interactions are a struggle. Both the Burgomaster of Riva and
serve his community, yet the members of the community retain the man on the Hunter's raft fail to fully understand Gracchus's
some sort of superstitious beliefs that only hinder the doctor's situation. While he is indeed dead, he is not in a single place of
efforts to help them. existence but rather moving endlessly from place to place,
without control over where he is headed. The humans in
Another interpretation of this work is that the entire sequence
Kafka's stories can't fully understand this since they are still
of events is but a dream or hallucination of the country doctor,
alive and have no frame of reference to understand the
and giving in to them is what leads to all of the chaotic events
Hunter's situation of limbo. This notion of otherness mimics
that follow.
Kafka's life. He often felt like an outsider in terms of his ethnic
and religious identity and relationship with his family.
"The Hunter Gracchus" Additionally, the Hunter Gracchus can be construed as an

exploration of multiple planes of consciousness. For example
the Burgomaster of Riva and the man who visits Gracchus in
Summary the story fragment are fully alive. They have full agency over
where they go. The Hunter, on the other hand, has no control
Franz Kafka wrote two versions of "The Hunter Gracchus." over his destination. This mirrors the way that in sleep a person
One is a complete story and the other a story fragment. has no control over where their dreams transport them. It
could also be interpreted as two distinct ways of managing life
"The Hunter Gracchus" itself. On the one hand are those who feel in control of their
own destiny; on the other are those who see themselves as
The complete version of the story revolves around the
victims of outside forces that lead them in one direction or
Burgomaster, or mayor, of the town of Riva. The Burgomaster
another.
of Riva enters a home and finds the presumed dead Hunter
Gracchus, who is actually in limbo between life and death. The
Hunter Gracchus spends his time traveling "through all the

himself is mortal and might even be leading them astray. This

"The Great Wall of China" unity of belief and purpose keeps the Chinese citizenry aligned,
even if certain communities might at times feel
disenfranchised. The narrator concedes that those on the
Summary frontier of any empire will always be a challenge for their
central government.
Franz Kafka penned two versions of "The Great Wall of China."
Both are complete first-person narratives. "The Great Wall of "The News of the Building of the Wall: A Fragment"
China" is a reflection on the building of the Great Wall itself.
This short anecdote is the reflection of an older man on how
"The News of the Building of the Wall: A Fragment" is a man's
he first heard the news that a wall was to be built around
recollection of hearing about the start of the Great Wall project
China. He was 10 years old and his father heard the news from
when he was a boy.
a boatman. His father returns home to tell the family that a wall
"The Great Wall of China" is being built around China to protect the Emperor.
This first-person reflection about the building of the Great Wall

is told by an older man who lives in Southern China. The Analysis
narrator in "The Great Wall of China" reflects first on the "art
and architecture" that had been perfected in China well prior to For many years individual walls protected different regions of
the construction of the wall and laid the framework for it. He China from each other and from marauding nomads from the
then discusses the construction of the wall itself, which began North. The Great Wall of China was an effort by Qin Shi Huang
when he was 20 years old. He notes that at first the wall was (221–10 BCE) to unify China into a single empire. Construction
built in sections so that the workers did not have to travel far began in 220 BCE. Most historians believe that the wall was
from their homes. Over time these sections had to be built by unwilling laborers who were conscripted or sentenced
connected. Chinese rulers were able to get buy-in from local to the labor and had to be guarded. At the time in which the
villagers who traveled to work on more remote sections. The wall was built, perception was not that the wall was a means of
narrator also notes that at the time of the wall's construction protection and unification but a way for the Emperor to exert
some scholars likened it to "a secure foundation for a new his absolute control.
Tower of Babel," or a structure from the Old Testament of the
Bible. In this story people wanted to build a high tower that This work examines the construction of the wall and why the
would reach God. Because God did not desire this, he people throughout the empire, namely those for whom the wall
scrambles the language of the people so they speak different has no benefit, would have gone along with the project. He
languages and cannot easily cooperate to build the tower. The seems to settle on the idea that it is more about the nature of
narrator rejects the notion of the Great Wall as the new Tower the Chinese people's long-standing relationship with authority,
of Babel. not who in particular represents that authority, that leads to

the continued subordination of the people to the will of the
The narrator then questions how the Chinese government was Emperor.
able to get people such as those in the South to assist in the
wall's construction. The wall would protect people of the South The Tower of Babel is a story from the Old Testament of the
from people of the North, but they were not being threatened. Bible. According to the book of Genesis, humans seek to build
The narrator decides that the reason people assisted in the a tower so high that it will reach God. Because he does not
construction is probably the result of the notion of Chinese want this, God makes everyone begin speaking in a different
empire, and the way that authority commands its citizenry to language to prevent the tower's completion. The image of the
do as it says. This "high command has existed from all eternity" Great Wall as a new Tower of Babel is an allusion to the wall's
and thus cannot easily be questioned by the people. In this way divisiveness. In the historical sense, the Great Wall of China
the Chinese "Empire is immortal" and lasting, though individual was somewhat of a divisive force similar to the Tower of Babel.
emperors are not. This makes the people respect the Emperor It was a division between the Chinese empire and the rest of
as a representation of this immortal command, even though he Asia. It led to the development of different cultural traditions

and languages. The ape is named Rotpeter in this shorter version of the ape's
tale. An editor fused together Kafka's two fragments without
This story is a clear questioning of authority and by whose demarcation between them to create a second version of "A
command any sort of earthly political authority rests. Kafka Report to an Academy." The story is told from the perspective
notes that even though the Emperor was successful in getting of a reporter who visits Rotpeter at his apartment to interview
the wall built, it was really not because he decreed that it him. Rotpeter tells the reporter about his five-year journey from
should be built but because the eternal high command decided capture to becoming human-like. At one point Rotpeter
that a wall was to be built. In other words even though human becomes so overwhelmed by the smell of the human in his
leaders believe that people are reacting to their commands, it presence that he appears ill.
is also possible that certain events and actions are willed by a
force greater than these leaders. The reporter sees Rotpeter's story as a "terrific achievement,"
but the chimpanzee explains that his ability to live as a
chimpanzee was stripped from him by his capture and he only
"A Report to an Academy" began living like a human because he had no other choice. The
other option would have been a life condemned to captivity.
Summary
Analysis
Franz Kafka wrote several versions of this story. One is a
Kafka explores the notion of freedom through Red Peter. The
complete version in which the protagonist is named Red Peter.
ape realizes that he cannot escape his cage by sheer force or
The other version includes two fragments that Max Brod
will and must compromise. He will lose the freedom he enjoyed
(1884–1968) fused together and published as one story. In that
as an ape, but will have more freedom living as a human than
story the protagonist is named Rotpeter.
he would living as a chimpanzee in human captivity. There is
"A Report to an Academy" some sadness in the ape's predicament and the difficult choice
that he must make. Once he is captured and becomes
The narrator in the complete version is an ape named Red enslaved, he is robbed of his choice to live life as is natural and
Peter who is reporting to "honored members of the Academy" appropriate for an ape. However, he finds some semblance of
about how he came to transition to living the life of a human. freedom in his life of humanlike existence. This suggests that
He begins by describing his capture from the Gold Coast, a perhaps freedom can be viewed as merely a state of mind. If a
part of Africa. He is shot twice, then loaded onto a ship and person focuses on the way that they are enslaved, then
placed in a cage so small that he cannot stand fully upright. He enslaved the person will be. Conversely, if a person believes
realizes that his only way out is to cease being an ape and themself freed, then free they are.
begin to become a human. The chimpanzee then begins
copying the behavior of the humans on the boat. He initially Sadly, Red Peter or Rotpeter can really never truly be free
struggles with drinking Schnapps, a type of alcoholic beverage, again. His life sentence is to live contrary to his nature: as a
but eventually succeeds in doing so and speaks for the first human. It is really the lesser of two evils. Kafka tells the story
time. from two different points of view: from the perspective of the
ape himself and then from the perspective of the reporter. In
He realizes that he will be doomed to an existence forever in a the version where Red Peter tells his story the ending is
cage if he doesn't learn to perform for humans, so he readily somewhat happier because he has some level of professional
accepts training from humans to become a performer. This success and even has a companion to keep him company. In
leads the ape narrator to have a better semblance of life. the shorter version that an editor created by combining two
Because freedom was never an option, he chooses to live the fragments, the ape is repulsed by the very smell of human
life of a human over life in a cage because it's the lesser of two existence and emphasizes the inherent unfairness in the
evils. decision he was forced to make.
"A Report to an Academy: Two Fragments"

unaware of the futility of this attempt in a way that their elders

"The Refusal" are not. They lack the wisdom of experience that Kafka alleges
leads to apathy or acceptance of a pitiful state of things.
Summary The story is a critique of totalitarian governments and perhaps

even a capitalist system. The people of this town are kept in
The narrator of "The Refusal" is Franz Kafka. He opens this poverty and isolation with few freedoms. They appear to be
short story with a presentation of background information taxed mercilessly, but the tax collector does not seem to use
about a frontier town far removed from the capital where all the funds for any social programs or for the betterment of the
the rules are made. The colonel is the head of the town in town's citizens. When the citizens appeal to the colonel for
terms of governance and also serves as the chief tax collector. debt relief, he never helps them. He appears to be a despotic
The colonel is a representative of the capital who rules with ruler without regard for the welfare of his constituents.
absolute authority, and "the town humbly submit[s] to all orders
issued in the capital." The tax-collector/colonel is guarded by a
contingent of soldiers who have scary teeth that frighten "Investigations of a Dog"
children. The soldiers speak an unusual dialect and are not
easily able to communicate with the townspeople.
The scene then shifts to a ceremony in which a "delegation"

Summary
comes to the colonel with some sort of special request. The
Like "A Report to an Academy" this story is narrated from the
colonel holds two bamboo poles which represent the notion
vantage point of an animal. The narrator in "Investigations of a
that "he supports the law, and the law supports him." A
Dog" is a dog. This elderly dog presents numerous
frightened citizen brings his petition to the colonel. He asks for
considerations about his life and the state of dogs in general.
a one-year tax exemption and the ability to purchase wood
He first makes the point that unlike humans dogs retain a
"from the imperial forest at a reduced price." Though the
sense of community and oneness even though they are many
narrator sees this as a reasonable request the colonel quickly
breeds that live in many different places.
and bluntly states, "the petition has been refused" and
dismisses the man. He then recalls an incident that occurred when he was a
puppy. He comes across seven dogs to whom he shouts, but
The narrator explains that the colonel always refuses these
they do not answer. The dogs then rise up and walk on their
petitions and that almost everyone accepts this. The exception
hind legs, showing their "nakedness" to the narrator and ending
is the young people from 17 to 20 years old. It is within them
his childlike innocence.
"that discontent creeps in."
The dog recalls how inquisitive he was and how he was
sometimes treated because of his constant questioning of
Analysis things. One important and central question is how the earth
makes the food it provides for dogs. He considers that possibly
Like many of Kafka's works, "The Refusal" ends without a finite dog knowledge is collective knowledge and not the possession
resolution. However, the reader is left to infer that the young of any single dog. He has heard of flying dogs, and he ponders
people of the town will soon organize in opposition to the way their contributions to the collective of dogness and how they
things are handled in their community. This parallels the idea might possibly be isolated from it.
that change in society comes from a younger generation,
which tends to be more progressive and forward-thinking. He returns to his question about how the earth produces food
Kafka says this is because they are "utterly incapable" of and prays to both the soil and the sky which brings him food.
seeing the future consequences of revolutionary ideas. It He fasts for a period and faints. When he comes to, he sees a
would be unlikely that any sort of revolution or effort to hound who tells him to go away so that he can hunt because
overthrow the colonel and his vile system of constant refusal hunting is the nature of a hound dog. The hound dog begins
would be effective. However, these young people seem singing loudly, and the narrator begins to have questions about

music. this woman is so upset by him, and he believes she would be

well served to simply ignore him. He also notes that general
public opinion isn't that he is a horrible person, so it appears
Analysis that this woman alone holds a poor opinion of him. The man
discusses the matter with a friend who suggests that the
Franz Kafka takes a unique perspective in "Investigations of a narrator should remove himself from the presence of this
Dog," that of an animal. In this case, the first-person dog woman.
narrator reflects back over his life and his many questions
about the nature of his existence. The dog at the center of the However, "nothing can remove" the woman's hateful obsession
narrative has experiences that mimic common events in the with him. The narrator notes that "not even the removal of
human life cycle as well. He has an experience that causes him [him]self" would please her. He believes that if he were to
to lose his childhood innocence when he sees the seven dogs commit suicide the woman would only become more furious.
involved in some sort of profane musical ritual. It is at this point Finding no solution to his problem, the narrator simply decides
that he marks the division between childhood and adulthood to go about his life and ignore "the outbursts of the woman."
and he begins his incessant questioning of everything. This is
not unlike a human child who becomes increasingly inquisitive
after initial exposure to some taboo experience that is part of Analysis
the adult world.
This story is more realistic than many of Kafka's works, and
Constant questioning can also be likened to the human most readers can place themselves in the role of the narrator.
condition in its quest for deeper meaning. As the dog considers Being vehemently disliked for no valid reason is part of the
big questions, such as how the earth provides food for dog human experience. The narrator does not consider directly
existence, he continues his quest for an understanding of confronting this woman, and he does not even seem to know
things that are largely incomprehensible. He considers his own her. This suggests that it is his own conceit that leads him to
psyche as well as the totality of dog knowledge and believe he is the source of this woman's ire. It's possible that
understanding. she is truly ill from some other source completely separate
from the narrator.
Like many of Kafka's other works, "Investigations of a Dog" can
be interpreted as the ramblings associated with his sleepless The narrator actually seeks help from a friend and even
nights. Yet perhaps what is most important in the work is the contemplates suicide. This speaks to just how bad the
idea that the dog never finds concrete answers to his woman's condition must be. This can be interpreted in one of
questions. In this way constant questioning and a constant two ways. Either the narrator is so self-important that he
quest for a deeper understanding remains the state of all life believes he is the center of this woman's world, or the narrator
on earth, both human and animal. genuinely wants to help end the woman's suffering. Because
the narrator concedes that it isn't everyone who loathes him
but only this woman, it is more likely that the situation exists
"A Little Woman" only in the narrator's mind.
Unlike many of Kafka's short stories, there is a finite

conclusion. The narrator decides to simply live his life and
Summary ignore the crazy behavior of this woman. Such an ending
suggests that either the hatred existed only in the mind of the
In "A Little Woman" the narrator of this short story recounts
narrator or that there is nothing to be done when one person
how everything he does offends a woman he doesn't even
intensely hates another.
know. The little woman is so offended that she becomes ill
because of the stress of her vexation. Her family has no idea
why she is ailing, and they become worried.
The narrator in "A Little Woman" doesn't fully understand why

The relationship between the creature and his burrow is thus

"The Burrow" complex in nature. On the one hand, he recognizes that his
burrow is the very essence of his existence. On the other hand,
he fears what might harm him within it. At one point he
Summary questions: "Why do I dread the thought of the intruding enemy
more than the possibility of never seeing my burrow again?" He
The narrator in "The Burrow" is some sort of burrowing animal, decides that he cannot abandon his home even if there is a
perhaps a badger. The story opens with the animal's threat from within it. He must face his fear.
recollection of the creation of his fortress: his burrow. He
explains that the burrow was thoughtfully constructed in his The intensity of his fear, however, leads him to question
youth to protect himself, store food, and prevent discovery by whether the noise he hears is truly a threat. He reveals that he
possible intruders. The narrator's favorite part of the burrow is "must have silence" in his passages, so is the noise a real
the large open area called the Castle Keep. It is in this open threat or merely an annoyance? It seems on some level that it
room where he stores all of his food. The rest of the burrow is is more about the sacredness of home and the horror of that
an elaborate labyrinth, some created by the narrator himself being threatened than the noise being indicative of a real
and some made by the "small fry" burrowing nearby that the physical threat to the narrator.
narrator sometimes feeds on.
The burrow is a place of tranquility for the narrator. He has "Josephine the Singer"
enjoyed many years in the burrow free from threats from other
burrowing animals or predators. However, he is not able to stay
in the burrow all the time and must venture outside to hunt. He
worries about someone entering his burrow while he is above
Summary
ground, and he wishes that he had someone he could trust to
"Josephine the Singer" takes place in the animal world.
watch his home in his absence. However, he knows that such a
Josephine and the narrator are likely hard-working mice,
friend would likely have to enter his burrow, an idea that he
though only the alternate title of this selection ("The Mouse
finds unacceptable because he values his solitude.
Folk") explicitly indicates this. Josephine is the community
One day after returning home from a trip above ground, the singer of sorts. While all in the community are able to
animal hears a low sound. He begins to imagine the sound is pipe/whistle, Josephine might actually have the ability to sing.
another animal burrowing into his home to do him harm of She might be just whistling in such a way that it sounds like
some sort. The narrator becomes obsessed with the sound singing. Whatever she is doing, mice flock to hear her "singing"
and decides at first to dig an investigational tunnel in the and she draws large audiences.
direction of the sound. In the end the creature decides to

The narrator in "Josephine the Singer" wonders why there is so
simply accept the existence of the noise and do nothing. After
much interest in Josephine's singing and decides that these
all, the other animal must have heard him as well.
performances distract the community from their lives of hard
work. It also appeals to their foolish childlike nature because
their society has a very short period of childhood. However, not
Analysis everyone in the community sees her as especially talented, and
it is primarily Josephine herself who believes she is special.
The notion of safety at home is a theme readily apparent in
While the community sees itself as her protector, "she believes
"The Burrow." The creature feels a sense of pride and
it is she who protects the people" through her song which
tranquility in the home he has made for himself, and recognizes
saves them from political or economic disaster. Josephine is so
that it is no small feat to have remained safely in control of the
self-important that she makes constant requests to the
burrow for such a time. However, no animal—human or
community to be excused from the day-to-day work that all
otherwise—can stay safely at home forever. The narrator must
must do. She makes this request again and again, but the
venture out to survive, as must all living things who rely on
community never permits it. Angered by what she considers
eating to live.

lack of appreciation, Josephine leaves the community. No one

in the community seems to care about her departure, and she
Summary
is quickly forgotten.
Three short anecdotes focus on women.
Analysis "Clothes"
Josephine is a rather complex character. While she is "Clothes" is a three-paragraph musing about women's clothes.
respected for her special singing talent by large audiences, this The narrator describes how women wear clothes "so smoothly
isn't enough for her. She wants the particular and very high onto lovely bodies." However, by the end of the night, their
respect of not having to work. The narrator sees this not as a clothes become "worn out, puffy, dusty."
mark of her laziness but as a yearning to be recognized as
special and apart from others. Ironically, her desire to be
separate and apart only results in her complete alienation from "Rejection"
her community when she leaves them out of anger.
"Rejection" is a description of the narrator coming across a
The role of leisure and diversion in this particular society is also pretty girl who finds him unexciting and unworldly and thus
an issue for exploration. While the mice clearly work hard and rejects him. He responds to her by pointing out that she isn't
need diversion such as listening to music, they do not think being overrun by suitors herself and probably shouldn't so
about it much after she leaves them. Per the narrator even her quickly reject him. The two decide they are both right and that
memory will soon fade into obscurity. What then was they "better just go [their] separate ways home."
Josephine's role, and how important is diversion in this world?
Clearly, work is the most important activity in the world of
these mice. Children aren't even allowed to be indulged in a "On the Tram"
long childhood but are put to work as soon as they are able. All
members of the community are expected to work and work "On the Tram" is a description of a woman as she boards a
hard. Though Josephine is contributing something beyond tram. The narrator describes her in some detail and wonders
physical labor to her community, not even she is given a how the woman "is not amazed at herself."
reprieve from the daily labors. This indicates that though
Josephine believes the service she provides to the community
is of great importance, the community does not value it as she Analysis
does. If anything, they only seem to listen to her singing out of
a desire to please her and not necessarily for their own Franz Kafka had a complicated relationship with women and
enjoyment. never married. Some critics believe he was a closeted gay man.
Others believe he suffered from a deep sexual repression
Conflict between work and diversion mimics Franz Kafka's own fueled by a fear of pregnancy and diseases which kept him
life. He worked a full-time day job throughout his life and from exploring his sexuality to its fullest. While it is not clear
struggled with having enough time to pursue his true passion precisely what his sexual orientation was or whether he would
of writing. This story also makes a statement about capitalism have married if he lived beyond age 40, he expresses a
in that when society becomes so engrossed in working to somewhat negative view of women and of male interactions
produce things, it loses some of its appreciation for the arts. with women.
These three short works examine women and determine that
On Women they are somewhat mysterious and beautiful creatures who

can be challenging to approach. Even so they are decidedly
human and age and fade just like men.
"Clothes" is a description of the way women age over the

course of their lives and lose much of their original beauty

"My Neighbor"
much like their clothes. While "On the Tram" suggests that the
narrator is impressed with the woman, he does not approach "My Neighbor" describes a man who does not quickly jump at
her, presumably out of fear or disinterest. In "Rejection" the the opportunity to rent the vacant space next to his business.
narrator is so bold as to proposition the woman he comes This allows a competitor to lease the space instead. The
across, but she rather brutally rejects him. Instead of moving competitor, named Harras, is believed by the narrator to be
on his way, the man proceeds to tell the woman just how spying on him by listening to his telephone conversations
insignificant she is. Taken together these three short works through the wall. The narrator in "My Neighbor" believes Harras
suggest that Kafka perceived women as fleetingly beautiful is then going after his clients and stealing business from him.
creatures that were hard to approach and even harder to woo.
"The Helmsman"
On Work
"The Helmsman" describes a ship's captain who has been
forcibly removed from his post by an interloper. When he calls
out to his crew to come to his assistance, the interloper angrily
Summary
warns off the crew. Frightened by this, the crew doesn't come
to the aid of the helmsman.
Six short works revolve around the world of human labor.
"Reflections for Gentlemen-Jockeys" "The Married Couple"

"The Married Couple" describes a salesman who goes to call
"Reflections for Gentlemen-Jockeys" examines what life must
on a man named N. at his home. The narrator in "The Married
be like for jockeys. Franz Kafka concludes that while it would
Couple" is made aware that N.'s son is ill, but the narrator
be exciting to win races, a jockey's friends likely wouldn't bet
seeks to visit N. anyway. The salesman goes through his sales
on his horse for fear that they would be angry if his horse did
routine when N., an old man, suddenly appears to be dead. N.'s
not win.
wife comes in and kisses N.'s hand, and the narrator discovers
that N. was only asleep. N.'s wife helps him lie down, and N.
"A Visit to a Mine" tells the narrator that he isn't interested in what he is peddling.
Confused and dejected, the narrator leaves the home.
"A Visit to a Mine" is told from the vantage point of a miner. He
describes how a group of chief engineers in fancy attire come
to visit the progress of a mine. Each of the men is described in Analysis
some detail as he examines things, makes notes, and checks in
on the mine's overall progress. The miners get no work done These six stories and anecdotes describe the complex world
on this particular day because they are too engrossed at of human labor where people struggle with the demands of
observing these visitors. their occupation.
Kafka's perceptions of the working world were likely influenced

"The New Advocate" by his own experiences as a lawyer and his experiences as the
son of a merchant. His examination of the world of work
"The New Advocate" describes a new attorney named Dr. suggests that it can have many challenges: competition ("My
Bucephalus. The narrator concludes that the world and the Neighbor"), lack of teamwork and loyalty ("The Helmsman"),
practice of law have changed and that the new lawyer has his frequent distractions ("A Visit to a Mine"), and some rejections
work cut out for him. ("The Married Couple").
These works show that the working world is full of multiple

perspectives. While a jockey might enjoy winning a race, his reader can assume is the wife or girlfriend of Schmar. While a
friends might resent it if they didn't bet on his horse for fear "citizen" named Pallas watches from a window above, the
that they would be angry if he lost. In a mine, miners who look police come and arrest Schmar. Mrs. Wese then runs out to
at underground caverns all day might find a group of white- the street to find the corpse of her husband.
collar visitors so enthralling that they are unable to continue
their work. "The New Advocate" reminds readers that people
who are new to a profession bring with them fresh "The Bridge"
perspectives that may or may not be welcomed.
In the poem-like "The Bridge," the narrator is a bridge that
For Kafka there was no work-life balance. His life was his work. stretches across a ravine. A man comes to the middle of the
He felt a compulsion to work on his writing at virtually every bridge and pokes the bridge with a stick. In response the
waking opportunity, even as he lay in a sanitorium on his bridge breaks.
deathbed. Similarly, the characters in these selections are
engrossed in some aspect of their work to a degree that is
perhaps unhealthy for them. The narrator in "The Married "The Bucket Rider"
Couple" so desires to sell something to a prospect that he
"The Bucket Rider" is a first-person account of a man who is
ignores the illness in the man's home. In "My Neighbor" the man
very poor. The narrator in "The Bucket Rider" is also very cold
is so obsessed with his business's performance that he
because he lacks coal for his fire. He calls out to the coal
becomes obsessed with the possibility that the man next door
peddler and his wife, who sell coal to people for warmth. The
is stealing customers from him. Even "The Helmsman" is so
coal peddler isn't quite sure where the man's cries are coming
devoted to his duty of steering the ship that he cannot give up
from and his wife gets off the cart to investigate. The coal
his post, though his men have no problem with someone else
peddler's wife finds the poor man and realizes that he has no
taking over.
money with which to pay them, though he promises to make
good at some time in the future. She lies to her husband and
Death and Tragedy says the voice he heard was just his imagination.
"The Knock at the Manor Gate"

Summary
A brother and a sister are out walking in "The Knock at the
Seven short works include themes of death or tragedy. Manor Gate" when the young woman knocks at the gate of a
large and somewhat spooky manor. The sister has apparently
done a terrible thing in this act, and the townspeople all
"A Dream" become afraid and tell the siblings that they will be "charged"
for their crime of knocking. Believing there will be some sort of
In "A Dream" a man named Josef is engulfed in a deep and
court proceedings, the young woman goes home to change
terrifying dream. He goes to a graveyard where he sees an
her clothes to something more appropriate for the occasion.
artist making a gravestone. At the end of his dream, he realizes
The brother is meanwhile held captive in the manor,
it is his own grave and he falls into it. However, he wakes up
presumably never to be released.
not afraid but "enchanted."
"The Cares of a Family Man"

"Fratricide"
"The Cares of a Family Man" is a short description of an object
A "Fratricide" describes the witness of a murder. A man named
referred to as an "odradek," which is perhaps a child's toy. The
Schmar kills another man named Wese, who is presumably his
narrator describes this object and resents its permanence in
brother (per the story's title). The murder is apparently over
existence because it will live on after the narrator dies.
Wese's relationship with a woman named Julia, whom the

trapeze artist have lived relatively stable lives of innocence

"First Sorrow"
until they are forced into a dark situation. For the trapeze artist,
In "First Sorrow" a trapeze artist lives his life in the air on the this darkness and sorrow comes through the sudden
trapeze, coming down only when his performance troupe must realization that he has only one trapeze when two would be
move from town to town. The trapeze artist enjoys his life in better. For the brother in "The Knock at the Manor Gate," and
the air and becomes depressed when he must come down. He to a lesser degree for the sister, there is the realization that
decides that he would actually like two trapezes in the future minor acts, such as a knock on a gate, can have dire and
instead of just one, and makes this request to his manager. largely unexpected consequences.
Unfortunately, in asking for two trapezes he realizes that he
currently only has one and begins to cry because the one
trapeze is no longer enough for him. The trapeze artist's Animals
manager can only listen to his wailing.
Summary
Analysis
Animals are the primary focus of these three works.
Tragedy, sadness, and death are common themes in the work
of Franz Kafka. In each of these stories, there is a great
tragedy that befalls one of the main characters. In some cases, "Jackals and Arabs"
this tragedy is death or at least the awareness of it. "A Dream,"
"Fratricide," "The Bridge," and "The Cares of a Family Man" In "Jackals and Arabs" Franz Kafka describes "camping in an
explore the theme of death in different ways. In "A Dream" and oasis" in a desert while his "companions were asleep." The
"The Cares of a Family Man" the narrator becomes aware of narrator in "Jackals and Arabs" is approached by a jackal who
his own mortality though each narrator deals with this explains that he might be the savior the jackals are looking for.
realization in a different way. The dreaming man wakes up The jackal explains that he wants the narrator to kill the
feeling "enchanted," even though he has witnessed his own sleeping Arabs with a pair of scissors. One of the Arabs
death and burial. In contrast the Family Man is in many ways awakes and explains that the jackals attempt to enlist the help
jealous of this object because unlike himself it will exist of any European they come across to kill the Arabs with a pair
permanently. of scissors. A camel carcass is then dragged out. The Arab
caravan leader uses his whip to lash the jackals who have gone
"Fratricide" deals with another type of death, a murder. The to feast on the dead animal. The narrator stops the man from
title suggests that the two men are brothers because a his next attempt at whipping the jackals, and the man agrees
fratricide is the killing of a sibling. However, instead of giving that it is "time to break camp" anyway. He leaves the jackals
insights into the thoughts and motivations of these two men alone to eat the camel.
engulfed in a serious love triangle, Kafka chooses to describe
the scene from the perspective of an impartial witness. This
unique perspective puts the murder itself at the center of the "A Crossbreed"
narrative and keeps the reader guessing as to the unkown
circumstances that might have led to such a tragic end for "A Crossbreed" describes "a curious animal, half kitten, half
Wese. Similarly, in "The Bridge" a reasonable inference is that lamb." It stalks its prey like a cat but doesn't kill any live animals
the man killed the bridge by poking at it and that in turn he and instead feeds on milk. The animal is quite a curiosity, and
killed himself. the neighborhood children come to visit with it on Sunday
mornings. They ask the narrator all sorts of questions about
In "First Sorrow," "A Bucket Rider," and "The Knock at the the nature of the animal. The narrator further explains that the
Manor Gate" characters deal with tragedy and unexpected animal is almost human-like and clings to the narrator for
circumstances in myriad ways. In "First Sorrow" and "The protection.
Knock at the Manor Gate," Kafka explores a sudden and
unexpected tragic situation. The brother and sister and the

a need to destroy humans who get in their way.

"The Vulture"
In "The Vulture" a man describes an incident in which a vulture
is "hacking at [his] feet." A man comes by and says that he will Commentary on Government
go home and get a gun so that he can shoot the vulture and rid
the narrator of the problem. When the vulture hears this, he or Systems
attacks the man by spearing his beak through the man's
mouth. However, the vulture himself drowns in a pool of the
man's blood. Summary
Franz Kafka comments on government and bureaucratic
Analysis systems that fail to serve the people in these three stories.
Animals are powerful characters in many of Kafka's stories. All

of these stories highlight the powerful nature of animals. In "An Old Manuscript"
"Jackals and Arabs" the jackals are both smart (they know that
a European is their best hope of killing the Arabs who torment In "An Old Manuscript" the narrator is a cobbler in a northern
them) and vicious (they are able to tear a camel carcass to province of China. The cobbler describes the nomadic people
shreds before the narrator's eyes). This strength and even of the North who come and make camp. They don't speak the
vicious nature of animals is also mirrored in "The Vulture" who same language as the townspeople and pretty much take
is able to kill the narrator easily. Humanity's power against the whatever resources they want without opposition from the
animal world, in this case the gun, is not swift enough to be town. The nomads are quite vicious and eat a live ox; their
effective against the innate power of the vulture. horses also eat meat. The Emperor and his guards, instead of
helping the people, are shut up safely behind palace walls. It
In "A Crossbreed" the animal is also powerful and has a basic falls on the townspeople to handle the marauders without the
instinct toward being a predator in its stalking of prey, which is aid of their government.
reminiscent of its cat part. However, the animal is also utterly
domesticated and does not actually kill and eat anything, more
reminiscent of its sheep part. Ultimately, the animal is not fully "The Problem of Our Laws"
one thing nor the other. This might mirror human identity, in
which humans have some parts of animal-like nature, such as "The Problem of Our Laws" may also be set in China (no
the need to eat, reproduce, and satiate different biological specific setting is referenced) because of references to the
needs. However, like the crossbreed, humans are not really laws being "ancient" and because of its similarities to the
animals of prey in the strictest sense. Humans, similar to the criticisms of the Chinese government in Kafka's short story
animal described in this work, rely on relationships with other "The Great Wall." In this essay the narrator/speaker explains
humans for much of their subsistence. that laws are kept secret by the ruling nobility, and there is
really no way to know exactly what the ancient laws require.
These stories are distinct from "The Burrow" and Therefore, the modern incantation of the law can best be
"Investigations of a Dog" because the animal itself is not the described as "whatever the nobles do." The people of the land
story's narrator. Using a separate third-person perspective "hate [them]selves" in their belief that they are unworthy of
allows Kafka to explore animal nature from the outside in these being involved in the creation of and enforcement of laws, thus
works. From this vantage point, Kafka is able to examine the leaving this work solely to the nobility. The essay then explains
relationship between humans and animals. His conclusions as that at some point, the common people will take the law for
reflected in these stories show that animals can be themselves, and this will lead to the end of the nobility itself.
domesticated to live alongside humans and perhaps even Kafka describes the innate paradox in the situation in which
evolve to communicate with them, but ultimately animals retain abolishing the law and its control by the nobility would be
their innate nature. In doing so animals may or may not find it in supported by the common people, but yet none are willing to
their best interest to collaborate with humanity. They might find

go against the nobility since they seem to believe themselves those who were being called upon to fight. This mimics the
inferior. events of World War I (1914–18) in which Kafka's nation of
Austria-Hungary and its allies Germany and the Ottoman
Empire fought against Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain,
"The Conscription of Troops" Serbia, and eventually the United States. The soldiers from
Kafka's home of Austria-Hungary were poorly outfitted, poorly
"The Conscription of Troops" describes a community in which trained, and at the mercy of a government that did little to help
troops are needed for wars on the frontier. To get men to fight, them succeed in battle. This story might be Kafka's reaction to
soldiers go into residents' homes. The men always hide from such events and the war that many of his countrymen fought
the soldiers but are found and then whipped. The process is so in.
interesting to some that often women from neighboring towns
go visit a home during conscription time to see this ordeal. Per
Kafka's description of what happens when the witnesses view
the process, these women become frightened during the
Reconceptualized Myths,
violent conscription process and attempt to flee the home but
are also beaten by the soldiers.
Stories, and Legends
Analysis Summary
Kafka's work is often noted for its commentary on Franz Kafka brings a fresh take to existing myths, stories, and
bureaucracy, or large hierarchical, and sometimes nonsensical, legends in six short pieces.
government institutions. In Kafka's descriptions of
bureaucracy, citizens/humans are subordinate to the
established systems. This is explored quite explicitly in "The
"The Truth About Sancho Panza"
Problem of Our Laws." The people do not fully understand the
In his short musing "The Truth About Sancho Panza," Kafka re-
laws, nor do they serve their interests. However, the common
examines the role of Don Quixote's sidekick Sancho Panza in
people perpetuate the existence of such laws because they
the novel Don Quixote by famed Spanish author Miguel de
have been ingrained to believe that they are lesser than the
Cervantes. He suggests that Don Quixote and all his crazy
nobles who create and perpetuate such edicts. It becomes a
antics actually served as great entertainment for his friend and
paradox because the very action that would free the people
companion.
from their subordination is the very essence of their
subordination.
"An Old Manuscript" also addresses themes of bureaucracy

"The Silence of the Sirens"
and whether or not existing governments are truly for the
In "The Silence of the Sirens" Kafka considers the legend of
people. A government, or at the very least an emperor and his
Ulysses and the Sirens. The Sirens were creatures with such a
guards, clearly exists. However, it does absolutely nothing
beautiful song that sailors who heard them crashed into the
when the people are threatened and need its aid. Since the
rocks trying to reach them according to Greek legend. To
government formed to aid and protect its people is not at all
avoid this Ulysses plugged his ears with wax so he wouldn't
functioning in this capacity, it would seem that such a
hear the song and be lured into the rocks. Here, Kafka
government is completely useless to the people and exists
determines that maybe it wasn't the wax at all that led to
only for self-serving purposes.
Ulysses remaining safe. Perhaps it was the look on Ulysses's
face that made the Sirens cease their beautiful song.
The way that men are gathered up for war also speaks to the
inefficiency and even blatant cruelty of government. "The
Conscription of Troops" describes not only the inefficient
method used to draft soldiers but also the fear on behalf of

Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Quotes 33
Several of these stories also show Kafka's ability to inject dry

"Prometheus"
humor into otherwise serious myths and legends. For example
"Prometheus" is Kafka's description of four different legends of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, had a rather serious
this Greek titan, or God-like creature. Kafka explains that by reputation in the pantheon of Greek mythology. He was
the fourth legend created about Prometheus, everyone was involved in many disputes with other gods with lasting
exhausted because they had for so long been attempting to implications, and even had monster-like children. However,
explain the "inexplicable." Kafka's description of him is nothing at all like this
representation of an angry, powerful creature. Kafka's
Poseidon is nothing more than a paper-pusher who
"The City Coat of Arms" administrates the seas from his desk.
"The City Coat of Arms" describes why a fist is on a particular In his examination of Prometheus, Greek god of fire, and of
city's coat of arms. Kafka explains that the fist is a symbol of Ulysses, a Greek hero, Kafka questions the existing literature.
the enmity created between men during the construction of He asserts that everything written about Prometheus was
the Tower of Babel (a tower from the Old Testament of the really just a human attempt to describe something inexplicable.
Bible that led to people speaking different languages), and that He also suggests that perhaps Ulysses wasn't really the great
the people of this town are slowly building the Tower of Babel. hero everyone made him out to be. It was actually the Sirens
who stopped their beautiful singing based solely on his facial
expression.
"Poseidon"
Kafka likely selected to re-examine characters and scenes
"Poseidon" is a new take on the god of the sea. Kafka from stories that he admired, so the reader can conclude that
describes him doing rather mundane administrative work he found these timeless stories to have merit. However, Kafka
required for the functioning of the seas. What "annoy[s]" seems to find the motivations of the characters in the original
Poseidon most is that people come up with all these "rumors" versions to possibly have had different motivations. For
about him, such as that he "was constantly cruising through the example in "A Little Fable," contrary to many other fables
waves with his trident" (three-pronged spear). In actuality, he is involving mice and cats, the cat is the victor. Having convinced
stuck in a somewhat unexciting administrative role. the mouse that indeed a new perspective on things is good
and that he should move in a different direction, the cat
promptly devours the unsuspecting mouse.
"A Little Fable"
"A Little Fable" is a paragraph about a cat and a mouse. The
mouse believes that the world is becoming smaller and that
g Quotes
there is nowhere new for him to run anymore. The cat
responds that he "only need[s] to change [his] direction." The
"I annoy her at every step ... every
cat then eats the mouse who presumably ran right into the
cat's mouth. scrap of my life would certainly be
an offense to her."
Analysis
— The narrator in "A Little Woman", "A Little Woman"
Kafka is able to reimagine classic stories and give them a fresh
new twist. Instead of taking Greek heroes and legends at their A man believes he is detested to an extreme degree by a
face value, Kafka wonders "what if?" and chooses to see woman whom he does not even know. Her abhorrence of him
things from an alternate perspective. In this way Kafka's writing is so total that every part of his existence plagues her with
represents the modernity of his time, but balanced with a torment to the point she becomes physically ill. The man's
respect for the great literature that has come before him. belief that she loathes every part of him suggests his own

vanity. Because the woman does not even know him it is quite
among the most sublime feelings,
unlikely that he is causing her distress.
so the corresponding
disillusionment can also be
"The blissful life of the young dog,
sublime."
which many can spin out for years,
in my case lasted for only a few — Red Peter, "A Report to an Academy"
short months."
The narrator is a chimpanzee who has been captured from his
native land and robbed of his freedom to live life as an ape.
— The narrator in "Investigations of a Dog", "Investigations of a
However, he finds a sort of middle ground in which he allows
Dog"
himself to be trained by humans to become a performer. This
gives him some degree of freedom. The narrator describes this
A dog is robbed of his youthful innocence when he sees a other side of freedom in which he becomes a collaborator with
group of dogs involved in a strange singing ritual that requires his captors to avail him of some benefits when he can't truly be
them to stand on their hind legs. The early loss of youthful free. For modern scholars this concept is known as resistance
innocence and the temporary nature of childhood are well- through accomodation where the historical actor collaborates
illustrated by the dog narrator. with exploiters to gain certain concessions.
"Behind him ... one imagines "Now, I come from the southeast
hearing voices ... but this is of China. No northern people can
probably a delusion ... he menace us there."
represents the end of all things, at
— The narrator in "The Great Wall of China", "The Great Wall of
least for us." China"
— The narrator in "The Refusal", "The Refusal"

The narrator reflects upon the construction of the Great Wall
of China across the northern perimeter of his country. The wall
The colonel and tax collector makes decisions with absolute was constructed beginning around 220 BCE as a deterrent
authority in this community. While he is like the rest of the against the nomadic people of Mongolia who raided the
community's citizens in many ways, he is also separate and northern parts of the Chinese empire. The narrator is
apart. It is unclear to the narrator if the colonel is acting upon questioning how and why the whole of China came to support
the will of a larger authority (the voices in the background) or and be involved in this construction project. In the narrator's
his own volition. However, this does not matter for those who opinion, the people far removed from these northern territories,
go before the colonel to plead their case because his word is such as himself, presumably have no interest in the building of
final in all matters. In the description of the colonel, Kafka the wall. They are far from the threat of raiders from the North.
illustrates his belief that such a government and leader serve Such a perspective as exemplified here shows Kafka's belief
only to harm the people and do nothing to improve quality of that the building of the wall, and all similar government-
life. sanctioned acts, did not serve the whole of Chinese citizenry
but the aims of its government.
"And as freedom is counted

very much a part of the world of the living. They are a point of
"In a certain sense I am alive too."
concern for Prince Leo, who wants to increase the guard he
has around the tomb. This turns out to be a prudent idea. Dead
— The Hunter Gracchus, "The Hunter Gracchus"
nobles are attempting to escape from the tomb and the
Warden must fight them to keep them inside. The human world
The Burgomaster (Mayor) of Riva is questioning the Hunter and the world of the dead have no finite boundary. While
about his situation. The Hunter is in a state of limbo between characters exist in both realms, they must interact with each
life and death. While he died during a fall in the Black Forest other. A level of continuity exists between the living and dead
hunting a chamois, or goat-like antelope, his death ship to enable such communication.
somehow lost its course and now he wanders the Earth neither
dead nor alive. In this interaction between the Burgomaster of
Riva and Gracchus, two people with widely disparate "True, a dog also has its
experiences and worldviews are attempting to communicate.
Gracchus seeks to help the Burgomaster of Riva understand
drawbacks."
his unique situation in terms he can understand. Though
Gracchus is dead, he is also alive in a certain sense. — Blumfeld, "Blumfeld, an Elderly Bachelor"
Blumfeld is a somewhat humorous, crotchety old man. In

"To write prescriptions is easy, but considering the possibility of getting a dog as a companion, he
examines the many potential drawbacks. In particular he is
to come to an understanding with
concerned about the likelihood that the dog will become sick,
people is hard." and it will become a burden on him. Blumfeld, ironically, is
unable to accept or appreciate any possible companionship,
— The country doctor, "A Country Doctor" such as a dog. Instead of focusing on what a dog might bring
to his life, he focuses on the negatives associated with dog
ownership.
The country doctor sums up the challenge of working as a
physician: understanding his patients. While medicine may treat
the symptoms of disease or injury, the first role of a doctor is
to understand what really ails them. Sometimes this ailment
"It is the aim of this pamphlet ... to
may not even be something physical that the doctor can help in giving the schoolmaster's
effectively treat. The country doctor is in some ways alienated
from his patients because he cannot fully understand them.
book the wide publicity it
Such themes of isolation permeate many of Kafka's works. deserves."
— The businessman narrator in "The Village Schoolmaster",

"This tomb represents the frontier "The Village Schoolmaster"
between the Human and the
The businessman includes this line in the pamphlet he writes
Other, and it's on this frontier that I
about a giant mole to show his intentions. His hope is to aid the
wish to post a guard." schoolmaster in gaining the recognition for his discovery of the
giant mole. The businessman does not seek glory for himself,
— Prince Leo, The Warden of the Tomb only for the schoolmaster. Ironically, the pamphlet only fuels
the schoolmaster's anger and does not prove to help him at all.
Such futility in action is a theme prevalent in many of Kafka's
In this one-act play, the dead are not forgotten but rather are
works. Even though people might attempt to make situations

better, there is no guarantee that such actions will yield

her."
positive results. In many cases, as in the situation with the
businessman and the schoolmaster, the very action that was
— The narrator in "Josephine the Singer", "Josephine the
meant to be benevolent served to only do more harm.
Singer"
"Our sentence does not sound Josephine the mouse believes that she is a great gift to her
people and that she deserves special honors afforded to no
severe. Whatever commandment one else. When she fails to receive them, she leaves the
the prisoner has disobeyed is community. The narrator explains that no matter how
important she believes herself to be, she is really only the same
written upon his body by the as any other mouse. Her departure does not impact everyone
as she had assumed. Such a reaction by Josephine's
Harrow."
community shows the contradiction inherent in human
perception. While Josephine believes herself to be central to
— The officer, "In the Penal Colony"
her community, she is really only like any other mouse. She
must work and contribute to the community. When she decides
The officer calmly and matter-of-factly describes to the to depart, she is not missed because she was never as
explorer how the special torture machine works. The officer essential as she believed herself to be.
believes that the torturous proceedings are fitting because
whatever rule was broken is inscribed upon the body of the
condemned. Kafka uses this unemotional narration to show the "As I lie in bed I assume the shape
officer's belief that what he is describing is not cruel or horrific.
To the officer it's highly appropriate for the maintenance of of a big beetle, a stag beetle or a
order in the penal colony. cockchafer, I think."
— Eduard Raban, "Wedding Preparations in the Country"

"Dear parents, I have always loved
you, all the same." In thinking about the trip to meet his wife, a man considers the
possibility of not going and simply retreating back into himself.
— Georg Bendemann, "The Judgment" He likens this to turning into a bug and going into a sort of
hibernation during which he will not have to interact with
others. Raban seems torn. On the one hand, he has agreed to
As he throws himself off the bridge, Georg calls out to his
marry so he must desire companionship on some level. On the
parents. His mother is already dead and his father has
other hand, he fears what is to come and the end of his
sentenced him to his death. Kafka shows that Georg is not
bachelorhood. Such fears cause him to consider other options,
angry at his father for his judgment of him. He seems to accept
even fantastical ones like transforming into a bug, to remove
his father's assessment of his character and readily commits
himself from his impending nuptials.
suicide to carry out his father's sentence that he die by
drowning.
"The water was already playing

"She is a small episode in the around the bridges of their noses
eternal history of our people, and ... they did not give up, although
the people will get over the loss of they had hardly reached the

Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Symbols 37
middle of the river." Dreams

— The narrator in "Description of a Struggle", "Description of a
Struggle"
Dreams appear in some of Kafka's works, such as The Warden
of the Tomb and "A Dream." Dreams or dreamlike states aren't
In a fantastic dream-like world, a man sees a group of men necessarily meant to represent only dreams that humans
carrying a fat man on a litter, or raised platform. Without any experience while sleeping. A hypnagogic state, when the mind
consideration for their own lives, the men carry the litter into a is preparing for sleep or when a person has gone a long time
body of water and drown. The men are virtual automatons, without rest or sleep, can also produce very realistic
sticking to their task of carrying the fat man to his destination hallucinations. These hallucinations, as well as other states
without regard for their own lives. They might be likened to where the human mind is not totally lucid and coherent but not
citizens of a government who blindly follow the commands of a yet totally asleep, are explored in the works of Kafka. In many
centralized authority without question, something that Kafka of Kafka's stories the reader is left to make an inference as to
saw as symptomatic of bad and overly bureaucratic whether the action is a real-life occurrence or some event
institutions. limited only to the mind. Such ambiguity can make some of
Kafka's works like "Descriptions of a Struggle" and "The
Warden of the Tomb" hard to place in terms of linear
progression.
l Symbols
Animals m Themes
In some works Kafka takes the perspective of an animal or

Conflict
writes about situations in which animals interact with humans.
Animal references are typically not meant to be taken literally
but to illustrate something foreign, exotic, dangerous, human- Kafka's short stories are full of conflict—conflict between a
like, or other than human. Animals are both powerful, as in "The person and the community, between two people within a
Vulture" where the vulture attacks the human with great force, community, among animals, and sometimes conflict between
and vulnerable, as in "The Burrow" where the animal narrator family members. This was more than likely the result of his own
feels as though he is being invaded by a hostile force. In some choice to remain in his parents' home for the bulk of his life
cases animals take on human-like qualities as in "Josephine the which often put him in conflict with them as he sought to
Singer" (a singing mouse), "Investigations of a Dog" (a dog balance his day job and his drive to write. Kafka's characters
pondering life's deepest questions), and "The Burrow" (the have complex family relationships, such as Georg and his
narrator's home is his respite from all of life's troubles). In other father in "the Judgment," who are keeping secrets from each
cases animals are surreal and may embody magical elements other that come to a head in a grand confrontation.
such as in "A Country Doctor" where the horses suddenly
appear from nowhere, and "The Crossbreed" where the animal In many of Kafka's short stories the central conflict cannot be
is a hybridization of a cat and a lamb. resolved. For example "In the Penal Colony" follows an officer
who cannot handle the end of the era of torture. He commits
suicide instead of accepting it. In "Josephine the Singer"
Josephine would rather leave her community and her throngs
of fans than accept that she will never get the recognition she
believes she truly deserves.

Selected Stories of Franz Kafka Study Guide Symbols 38
In some cases the conflict festers until there is a death. Then

there is no resolution because anger and confusion remain Impossible Situations
with the living.
Kafka is known for his creation of situations that appear

completely absurd and sometimes impossible to fathom. For
First-Person Narration and example the explorer from "In the Penal Colony" visits a far
away place only to discover that it uses a cruel and unusual
Immersiveness form of capital punishment. In "The Judgment" a man's own
father sentences him to death, a fate that he seems unable to
escape. Kafka's characters are always battling the impossible
Kafka tells most of his stories as the first-person narrator. and the incomprehensible. The English lexicon even includes
Whether he uses the voice of a human or an animal, Kafka the term "Kafkaesque" to refer to situations that are truly
describes events as a participant observer. This gives the bizarre and characterized by an utter lack of logic.
reader deep insight into the mind of the protagonist. In some
cases such as in "Investigations of a Dog," "The Burrow," and
"The Great Wall of China" the first-person narrator's thoughts
make up the bulk of the content of the story. Kafka relies far Isolation
more on descriptions than dialogue as is apparent in almost all
of his works.
In many of Kafka's works, the central character becomes
Some readers believe that the use of the first person lets
isolated and apart from the community. For example Josephine
Kafka place himself and his own thoughts and feelings at the
the mouse in "Josephine the Singer" is first isolated from her
center of the narrative. Such first-person narration allows
community by her difference. While the other mice only pipe or
Kafka to describe situations limited to the inside of the human
whistle, she has the ability to sing. This leads her to believe she
mind. This type of narration makes thoughts and streams of
deserves special treatment. When she persists in attempts to
consciousness, as in "Descriptions of a Struggle," more the
be treated differently from the others, she becomes so
center of the story than a linear sequence of events.
alienated from her community that her only option is to leave
them. In "The Judgment" the protagonist's friend has moved to
Russia to start a business, and in doing so he has become
Guilt isolated from his friend completely. Such themes of isolation

may mimic Kafka's own life and feelings of otherness as a
German Jew in a nation of Czech Christians.
Themes of guilt abound in many of Kafka's shorter works. For

example in "A Country Doctor" a man is riddled with guilt for
leaving his servant at home with a violent man, even though his
urgent call to visit a gravely ill patient would seem to take
precedence. In "The Judgment" a man feels guilty for his lack
of care for his elderly, ailing father. This guilt along with his
father's harsh criticism of him drive him to commit suicide. "In
the Penal Colony" features a protagonist who grapples with
feelings of guilt and obligation as he must determine how to
proceed when he is placed in a situation in which a man is soon
to be tortured and killed for a minor infraction.
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Selected Stories

l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 37 PERSPECTIVE AND NARRATOR

Kafka's shorter works. It includes short stories, a drama,

Stories. often at odds with the German-speaking Hapsburg monarchs

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artistic movement known as Surrealism. Surrealism in literature

Kafka was plagued with both physical and mental health

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Art Mirroring Life

The works of fiction penned by Kafka continue to be enjoyed

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Prince Leo "The Village Schoolmaster"

The businessman narrator in The narrator in "Investigations

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and nostalgia. Though everyone else in the colony has ceased

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Full Character List The narrator in

Georg Bendemann is a young man in

The colonel in "The Refusal" is the

The officer in "In the Penal Colony"

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The schoolmaster, or teacher, in The fat man tells a story to the

The Warden in The Warden of the The narrator in "The Refusal" is a

The narrator in "Josephine the

Harras is the man who rents the

Josef is the man in "A Dream" who

Eduard Raban runs into his friend

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Schmar is the murderer in "A

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The condemned man of "In the The jackal is an animal in "Jackals

The princess in The Warden of the

The groom in "A Country Doctor" is

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a scene or emotion in a style similar to free verse poetry.

The manager of the trapeze artist in Descriptions of a Struggle

Each of the longer stories is examined separately in the guide,

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almost all instances, the man refuses the requests of his

The Hunter Gracchus

In "Reflections for Gentlemen-Jockeys," "A Visit to a Mine,"

Death and tragedy are also highly important themes in the

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Animals are popular characters in many of Kafka's works, and

In "An Old Manuscript," "The Problem of Our Laws," and "The

Kafka also reexamines and recontextualizes traditional myths

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c Part Summaries Analysis

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Summary men with him.

The story is set on a penal colony, presumably somewhere in

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Blumfeld also resents the visit by his housekeeper, whom he

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The drama contains irony in the sense that what is expected is

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understand. Gracchus's life story as he should be.

Still, the doctor is a caring man. He worries about Rose and

"The Hunter Gracchus" Additionally, the Hunter Gracchus can be construed as an

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himself is mortal and might even be leading them astray. This