The early twentieth century saw a rise of many socialist parties and left wing ideologies. Especially in Prague, in the face of the failing Hapsburg Empire, there was a growing anti-elite sentiment that encouraged countless working class citizens to turn to revolutionary Marxist ideology.[1] The influence of socialist ideology and the writings of Marx can be seen throughout Kafka’s writing, most prominently in the themes of alienation and bureaucracy. 

Building upon the writings of Hegel and Feuerbach, Marx refines the concept of alienation into four main aspects in his prominent manuscript Alienated Labor.[2] The first aspect of alienation Marx outlines is the alienation of the worker from the product of his own labor. This is a consequence of the bourgeoisie owning the means of production, and therefore the laborer works for the profit of elites rather than receiving the fruits of his own labor. The second element of alienation is the externality of the work itself. Work does not provide personal enrichment, yet becomes essential for earning a wage and value in society. The third aspect of alienation outlined by Marx is alienation from oneself. Given that work becomes an externality which does not provide direct profit, one becomes alienated from the essence of life and allows themselves to be defined by their labor. The final aspect outlined by Marx is the alienation from others. Social interactions become commodified, corrupted by the market, tied to the exchange of valued goods. 

According to Murray, as in many Marxist literary works, Kafka’s writing allows criticisms of social dynamics to be revealed by alluding to an ideological system. He elaborates on Kafka’s positioning within Prague society as a German speaking Jew, and therefore subject to alienation due to his identity as a Jew in an increasingly anti-semetic Prague, and in his writings with thematic struggles against the elite in the language of the elite. Kafka’s writing speaks to both his intimate struggles and the larger sociopolitical climate of the time, and therefore Murray identifies him as a “minor writer”. Coupled with his experience with bureaucracy working in accident insurance, Kafka’s literary works are poised to express his distaste with this “den of bureaucrats”, and challenge the very system which institutionalizes his alienation.[3]

Themes of alienation and Marxist ideology are most prominent in Kafka’s the Metamorphosis. The Metamorphosis can be read as a parable for the struggles of the working class in a capitalist society. In the opening pages of the story, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find that he has been transformed into a large verminous insect. Yet, this disturbing transformation is not what disturbs Gregor most, it is the prospect of being late for work. He fears a “thunderous rebuke” from his boss and rejects the idea of calling in sick as it would be extremely embarrassing and suspicious”.[4] This shows Gregor’s obligation to be fully devoted to his work and the profit of the company he works for. This expectation is enforced when a clerk from Gregor’s firm arrives at his house to investigate his truancy. This section of the narrative embodies second and third aspects of alienation outlined by Marx: alienation from work itself despite its oppressive necessity, and alienation from oneself in the face of labor encroaching upon one's identity. Gregor’s mother even remarks that “all he thinks about it work” and she “almost gets annoyed that he never goes out in the evening”.[5] This is one example from the narrative of alienation from others due to labor structures. Another instance of this is the deterioration of Gregor’s connection to his family members throughout the story. Gregor reveals early on that he is the main provider for his family and that “if it weren’t for the sake of [his] parents I’d have given notice long ago”.[6] This leads to a strenuous relationship from the beginning, as Gregor is alienated from the fruits of his labor and any monetary profit he gains from it. This also attaches the Samsa family’s perspective on Gregor to his role as a laborer and sole financial provider for the family. Gregor remarks that his family began to take his financial support for granted, and though he “glady provided it… that special warmth was missing”.[7] Gregor’s relationship with his family is reduced to the exchange of commodities. Finally, as Gregor’s family turns their back on him in his verminous state, he begins to “forget his previous existence as a human being”, concluding this commentary of the dehumanization of labor and the social dichotomies that evolve from it.[8]

Click here for the next section: Czechoslovak Socialist Response to Kafka's Works