Summary
Franz Kafka: Amerika
It is clear that this novel is in an internal connection with The Process and The Castle, which it (chronologically) precedes. It is the "trilogy about loneliness" that Kafka wished for us. The basic theme is alienation, isolation among people. The situation of the accused in the Trial - the status of an uninvited guest and a stranger in the Castle - the helplessness of an inexperienced sledgehammer in a frenzied America - these are three basic facts, the mysterious commonality of which is clearly and symbolically revealed by Kafka's art, but always without any usual language of symbols and in the simplest expression of reality... We have the impression that in this novel about America, Kafka, in portraying a congratulatory, sincere and benevolent sledgehammer, is somewhat freer is moving. He hides less his sympathy, which he cannot resist. His heart opens, he bleeds when injustice is done to his helpless, innocent creature... Perhaps this novel will point to a new way to understanding Kafka - the way of simple, compassionate humanity - and that from there The Process and The Castle, both other great novels from the legacy, will begin to affect readers by themselves, without any special interpretation.
(From Max Brod's foreword)
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