Franz Kafka was born in Prague, in what now is part of the Czech Republic, on July 3rd 1883. At the time, Prague, was a confused city. Kafka as well was confused himself. The city of Prague, at this time, was consumed with numerous languages and ethnic groups fighting for position. Kafka was a Czech born, German speaking Jewish man. It must be noted that his relationship with his father was poor. His relationship with his father can even be regarded as a motif found throughout his literature. His father viewed Kafka as a failure. He never approved of Kafka's writing.
Kafka should never be considered as a philosopher. This is to say that he never expressed a deep philosophical theory in his writings. His relationship with existentialism is complex, mainly because the label 'existentialist' by itself is rather meaningless.
Most of his works were never published during his lifetime. Three notable works include The Metamorphosis, The Trail, and The Castle.
He considered his writing has a curse from some unknown sin. He insisted that all of his unpublished manuscripts be burnt after his death. Max Brod, Kafka's colleague, saved the manuscripts, despite the author's request.
Kafka is best known for describing absurd situations with simple, cold words. Kafka did not attempt to shock readers with detailed descriptions of horrific scenes; instead, Kafka preferred blunt absurdity. As follows in The Metamorphosis: 'As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.'
Sartre and Camus recognized Kafka as an existentialist.
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