Om Vents Graciously

  The following is a continuation to the first part that summarizes Arendt's main message in The Human Condition  and sets the stage for Kafka. Read that here! In this article, we will take a closer look at Metamorphosis, Kafka's most well-known short story, and how it weaves into a grander social philosophy. 1. Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis is one of Kafka’s most celebrated works, perfectly capturing the thematic sphere that most of his stories are set in. Gregor Samsa, the main protagonist, is Kafka’s ultimate anti-hero: a life of tireless work grounded in utter mediocrity, simply accompanying the reader with proceeding events rather than controlling them. The seemingly unreal turn of events set in a much too real world reflect Arendt’s critiques of labor with surprising depth, despite their absurdist nature. Gregor Samsa, a young clerk living with his parents and sister, wakes up one morning as a large, monstrous insect. Realizing that his transformation is not merely a nig...

T he Human Condition by Hannah Arendt explores many aspects of antiquated social hierarchies through the lens of self-reflection. Arendt’s mastery lies in pointing out the flaws of our current ways of life through writings that can provide a broader perspective. However, she was not the first person to investigate social philosophy in this sense. Franz Kafka, one of the most prolific novelists of the 20 th century, is best known for his legacy of portraying the dark underbelly of our social and political system – one that seems perfect and efficient on the outside, yet one that has sent countless victims into an eternal cycle of mundane existence. Here,  I will attempt to relate Arendt and Kafka through the lesser-used medium of The Human Condition. In this article,  I will summarize the relevant parts of Arendt’s work, and analyze the ramifications implied from them. Then, I will try to imagine a society governed by these results and introduce Kafka. Over the next few artic...