FRANZ KAFKA, THE AUTHOR OF THE METAMORPHOSIS


  • Born in Prague, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, on July 3, 1883
  • The oldest surviving child of Jewish parents
  • Strained relationship with his father who never appreciated his talents; as a result, Kafka felt lifelong guilt, anxiety and low self-confidence
  • Good student and popular with classmates and teachers
  • In 1901 (when he was 18), he went to the German university in Prague and studied for a law degree (though he wasn't interested in it; he pursued this course of study because of his domineering father).
  • He had a real love for literature and began to write short sketches and other pieces of fiction during college.
  • In 1906, after graduating with a law degree, he worked in a government workers' insurance office and lived with his parents (like Gregor Samsa, the main character in The Metamorphosis).
  • In 1912, when he was 29, he wrote The Metamorphosis.
  • In 1914, he became engaged to Felice Bauer, though three months later he broke the engagement because he couldn't focus on his writing. Several months later, they became engaged again.
  • In 1917, he wrote about a dozen stories, a very productive year.
  • In 1917, he became diagnosed with tuberculosis (According to wikipedia, it's a common and often deadly infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have the disease cough, sneeze, or spit.). He took a leave from his insurance office job.
  • In 1917, he broke his engagement to Felice Bauer for a second time.
  • In 1918, he became engaged to Julie Wohrzek, but this engagement later broke as well.
  • In 1922, he was forced to retire from the insurance office. When he was healthy enough, he continued to write.
  • In 1924, he had some intense writing activity, family tensions, unsuccessful love relationships and worsening health. He died at age 41 in Austria.

    *During his lifetime, only a handful of his writings were published.