Franz Kafka

Novelist

Kafka: 20th-century writer blending realism and fantasy.

Full Name

Birthday

Jul 3, 1883

Age

Born

Czech Republic

Birth Sign

Cancer

Relationship

Height

6′ 0″

Net Worth

Death Date

June 3, 1924

About

Franz Kafka was a renowned novelist from the Czech Republic, best known for his works such as The Metamorphosis and The Trial. His writing is known for its surreal, darkly comic and often nightmarish themes, which explore existential crises of guilt and alienation in modern society.

Life Timeline

<div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1883</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Franz Kafka is Born</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>On July 3, 1883, Franz Kafka was born in Prague, Bohemia which is now part of the Czech Republic.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1907</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Kafka Begins Writing</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Kafka begins writing short stories, essays, and sketches which will later be collected and published in his first book “Betrachtung” in 1913. </div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1914</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>World War I Begins</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>The First World War begins and Kafka is drafted into the Austro-Hungarian Army.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1915</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Kafka Begins Writing "The Metamorphosis"</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Kafka begins to write his most famous work “The Metamorphosis” and it is published in November 1915.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1917</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Kafka Moves to Berlin</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>In an attempt to escape persecution as a Jew in Prague, Kafka moves to Berlin with his friend Max Brod.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1923</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Kafka's Health Declines</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Kafka's health declines due to tuberculosis and he is forced to move back to Prague.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1924</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Kafka Dies</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Kafka dies on June 3, 1924 from tuberculosis at the age of 40.</div></div></div></div>

Why We Love Them

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> His Writing is Intensely Thought Provoking</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Franz Kafka's writing is incredibly thought provoking. His stories are filled with symbolism and deep meaning, offering readers a chance to explore their own inner thoughts and feelings. His works often deal with themes of alienation, powerlessness and guilt.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> He Was Ahead of His Time</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Kafka wrote during a time when the literary world was still trying to find its footing in modernist literature. Kafka was able to push the boundaries of what people thought literature should be and opened up new paths for writers to follow. This innovation makes him an important figure in 20th century literature.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> His Works Are Still Relevant Today</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Kafka's works are still relevant today, as his themes of alienation, powerlessness, and guilt echo through the modern world. His style has been influential on many authors, filmmakers, visual artists and musicians, making his work timeless.</p></div>

Interesting Facts

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Wrote in German</h3><p class='facts-text'>Franz Kafka wrote most of his works in German, even though Czech was his native language. He believed that German was the language best suited to express his thoughts and emotions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Published Few Books During His Lifetime</h3><p class='facts-text'>Despite being one of the most influential authors in modern literature, Franz Kafka published only a few of his books during his lifetime due to his perfectionism and lack of confidence in his work.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Had a Reputation as a Rebel</h3><p class='facts-text'>Franz Kafka had a reputation as a rebel and nonconformist. He found it difficult to fit in with society and expressed his discontentment through his writing.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Traveled Extensively</h3><p class='facts-text'>Franz Kafka traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting many countries including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Poland.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Left Behind Thousands of Pages of Unpublished Works</h3><p class='facts-text'>At the time of his death, Franz Kafka left behind thousands of pages of unpublished manuscripts which have since been published posthumously.</p></div></div>

01 Started Out as a Writerading

Before becoming an actor, Morgan Freeman worked as a screenwriter. He wrote scripts for The Electric Company and another children's show called Sesame Street.

05 Was Arrested for DUI

In 2008, Morgan Freeman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was released after several hours and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.