A Hunger Artist

by Franz Kafka

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Kafka’s stories have often been likened to the works of his contemporary, the painter Edvard Munch (pronounced Moonk). Locate a book of Munch’s paintings and explore how they convey a "Kafka-esque" atmosphere. How do they illustrate a nightmarish world akin to that in "A Hunger Artist," where themes of alienation, entrapment, oppression, self-hatred, and angst are prevalent? Additionally, how does the impact of Munch’s visual art differ from the effect of Kafka’s written narratives?

Kafka and his literary works are closely linked to the city of Prague. However, since Kafka’s birth in 1883, Prague has undergone numerous political, economic, and cultural transformations. The city’s national identity has shifted from being part of the Kingdom of Bohemia to the Republic of Czechoslovakia, endured occupation by Russia, and eventually became the Czech Republic. Compose a research paper on Prague's history throughout the twentieth century. What are the current political, cultural, and economic conditions in Prague? What would the experience be like for a tourist visiting the city today?

Kafka’s troubled relationship with his father has been extensively explored and analyzed. Develop a psychological profile of Kafka, drawing from research into his biography and his published letters. Examine his prose piece, "A Letter to His Father," and his story, "The Judgement," both of which reflect his relationship with his father. How has Kafka’s family experience shaped his psychology and influenced his writing?

In Kafka’s "A Hunger Artist," a man fasts for extended periods while on public display, serving as a form of mass entertainment. Throughout history, people have fasted for various reasons, including religious devotion, political protest, health, and eating disorders. Investigate and discuss the different fasting practices undertaken by humans, the motivations behind them, and the effects on the individuals fasting and those around them.

Consider a specific artist or artistic style in any area of contemporary American popular culture that seems to express "Kafka-esque" sensibilities. This could be a particular musician or musical genre, a film or filmmaker, a television show, a comic book character, or a visual artist (such as a painter or sculptor). Discuss how this example from popular American culture addresses modern issues and concerns while conveying "Kafka-esque" themes, such as alienation, entrapment, oppression, self-hatred, and angst.

Craft an original short story in a "Kafka-esque" style. You don't need to focus on similar themes or narratives. Instead, aim to create a modern tale rooted in your individual ideas that evokes a comparable atmosphere of anxiety, oppression, angst, darkness, entrapment, and alienation. This could be a Kafka-esque parable where the protagonist is an animal with a human psyche, ultimately serving as a critique of society or humanity. Alternatively, it could embody the sense of the absurd often depicted by Kafka, blending elements of both cynicism and humor.

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