Kafka and Poverty 

      Franz Kafka, a Czech-speaking writer of the early 20th century, is renowned for his literary works that often explore themes of alienation, absurdity, and the individual's struggle against an incomprehensible and bureaucratic world. While Kafka's writings don't explicitly focus on poverty as a central theme, poverty and economic struggles can be interpreted as subtexts in some of his works. Kafka's works provide a lens through which we can examine the existential and psychological aspects of poverty, as well as the dehumanizing effects of economic hardship. While Kafka didn't explicitly address poverty in a sociopolitical sense, his exploration of human suffering and alienation can certainly resonate with those who have experienced poverty or economic hardship. 

      Poverty is a complex issue that touches various aspects of life, encompassing financial, social, and psychological challenges. It refers to a state of lacking basic necessities required for a decent standard of living, such as adequate food, shelter, education, and healthcare. Poverty can limit opportunities, hinder access to resources, and perpetuate cycles of disadvantage. It has a deep historical and sociopolitical background that varies across regions and time periods. Franz Kafka's novella "The Metamorphosis" explores themes of alienation, isolation, and the human condition rather than explicitly delving into poverty. However, elements of economic strain and the impact of financial struggles are subtly woven into the narrative. The protagonist, Gregor Samsa, wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. His transformation leads to his isolation and exclusion from society, including his family. Kafka subtly addresses the theme of poverty through the lens of the family's financial reliance on Gregor and the subsequent hardships they face after his transformation. “And thus, every sickening decision made by the family, with purpose or inadvertently, is on the web together with their financial need” (Raman). Gregor's role as the sole breadwinner for his family is highlighted, and his incapacity to work after his transformation adds a layer of economic strain to their lives. The family could no longer survive by depending on Gregor and had to find different ways to make money. 

      Poverty can lead to social exclusion and marginalization, impacting mental health and overall well-being. “Recent research has established a bidirectional causal relationship between poverty and mental illness.Poverty is associated with volatile income and expenditures. The resulting worries and uncertainty can worsen mental health” (Ridley). Living in poverty increases the risk of developing depression. Kafka grappled with severe anxiety, depression, and existential angst. His mental health challenges deeply influenced his writing, leading to themes of isolation, alienation, and the human condition in his works. Franz Kafka’s depression symptoms were obvious in his novels and diary entries. This makes it likely that he would have acknowledged poverty as being a social epidemic in today's society. In a diary entry, Kafka spoke about how he was more uncertain than he ever was in life and how he was “senselessly empty” (Diaries) . This entry went to show some of the effects that people in depression feel on an everyday basis. He talked about his tiredness from spending so much time in his workplace in another journal entry. He said that he was exhausted and felt bad about himself for not sticking to his work routine. Though poverty is not the cause for depression, it is reasonable to acknowledge that it can be a leading factor. Factors like financial stress, uncertainty about meeting basic needs, lack of access to resources, and social isolation contribute to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair. All of which are closely linked to depression. 

      In addition, poverty can also affect the physical health of a person. People living in poverty often have limited access to healthcare services, including preventive care, screenings, and treatment. This lack of access can lead to undiagnosed or untreated health conditions. “Individuals who live in low-income or high-poverty neighborhoods are likely to experience poor health” (AFFP).Those in poverty may live in substandard housing with inadequate sanitation, ventilation, or exposure to environmental hazards. These conditions can lead to respiratory issues, infections, and other health complications. Franz Kafka, the renowned author, struggled with numerous health issues throughout his life, which significantly impacted him physically and emotionally. Kafka suffered from frequent and debilitating migraines, which often left him incapacitated and unable to work for days at a time. “He suffered from severe and frequent headaches and lived in a state of deep depression, with a tendency to self destruction. On August 9th l917, tuberculosis was clearly evident, becoming manifest with haemoptysis” (D.F & G.S). He experienced various other health problems, including digestive issues, insomnia, and overall frailty, which affected his ability to lead a stable and healthy life. His struggles with physical and mental health are reflected in the themes and tone of his literary works, which often explore feelings of isolation, alienation, and the complexities of human existence. 

      Poverty often creates a scarcity mindset, where individuals or communities feel a constant lack of resources. In such circumstances, individuals might be driven to prioritize their own needs over others', sometimes exhibiting behaviors that might be perceived as greedy. This isn’t necessarily a reflection of inherent greed but rather a response to the struggle for survival.  There can be a societal perception that individuals in poverty are somehow inherently greedy or undeserving. Kafka did depict characters who embodied traits that could be interpreted as greedy in the sense of self-interest or pursuit of personal gain. For instance, in works like "The Trial'' or "The Castle," Kafka presents bureaucratic systems where officials or authorities seem motivated by self-serving interests, using their power to control or manipulate individuals within the system. “The castle with its officials and guardians abuse their power by their superiority to the common people in the village. The villagers respect the officials with fear and anxiety since they rule wildly and their insatiable appetites cannot be filled” (Afrouz). This portrayal might reflect a kind of institutional greed or the pursuit of power and control at the expense of others. In some interpretations of Kafka's work, characters’ actions and motivations can be seen as driven by a form of self-preservation or self-interest in response to the oppressive and dehumanizing systems they navigate. This self-interest can sometimes mirror elements of greed. Many of Kafka's stories focus on human behavior within oppressive and bureaucratic systems that touch upon elements of self-interest and the ways in which individuals navigate complex social structures to assert agency or maintain their position within such systems. 

      Franz Kafka most likely would have agreed that poverty is a social epidemic. While Kafka himself worked in an insurance company and had a job that provided a steady income, he grappled with a sense of disillusionment and dissatisfaction, which might resonate with aspects of poverty. Though Kafka didn’t experience extreme economic deprivation personally, his writing delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of feeling trapped or marginalized within societal constructs. His works often depict characters dealing with powerlessness, lack of agency, or a sense of being overwhelmed by a system they cannot fully comprehend or navigate. Kafka's examination of the human psyche and the struggle against oppressive forces resonates with the emotional and psychological aspects that poverty can evoke. 

Work Cited 

AAFP. (2021, April). Poverty and Health - The Family Medicine Perspective (Position Paper). Www.aafp.org. https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/poverty-health.html#:~:text=Poverty%20affects%20health%20by%20limiting

Afrouz Yari, Shahram Afrougheh. Franz Kafka’s The Castle: A Foucauldian Reading.      International Journal of Literature and Arts. Vol. 1, No. 3, 2013, pp. 63-67. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20130103.18 

D, F., & G, S. (2005). Franz Kafka (1883-1924). Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 25(5), 328–332. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2639911/

Diaries, 1910-1923 Quotes by Franz Kafka(page 2 of 3). (n.d.). Www.goodreads.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023, from https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6150947-tageb-cher-von-kafka?page=2

Ridley, M., Rao, G., Schilbach, F., & Patel, V. (2020). Poverty, depression, and anxiety: Causal evidence and mechanisms. Science, 370(6522). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay0214

Raman, R. (2020, February 27). The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka – Individual, Poverty and Love; a profound mutation. The Vicarious View. https://thevicariousview.wordpress.com/2020/02/27/the-metamorphosis-by-franz-kafka-individual-poverty-and-love-a-profound-mutation/