Kafka was born into a middle-class Jewish family. He studied law at the German University in Prague and worked as a clerk at the Workers Accident Insurance Institute. Throughout his life, Kafka struggled with feelings of alienation, which greatly influenced his literary works.

Kafka wrote primarily in German and published only a few short stories and novellas during his lifetime. Most of his significant works, including “The Trial,” “The Metamorphosis,” and “The Castle,” were published posthumously, against his wishes, by his close friend and literary executor, Max Brod.

Kafka’s writing is characterized by surreal and absurd elements, exploring themes of existentialism, alienation, guilt, and the absurdity of human existence. His protagonists often find themselves trapped in nightmarish situations, facing oppressive bureaucracies or undergoing surreal transformations.

One of Kafka’s most famous works, “The Metamorphosis,” tells the story of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The novella is often interpreted as an allegory of alienation and the dehumanizing effects of modern society.

“The Trial” and “The Castle” are two of Kafka’s unfinished novels. “The Trial” follows the protagonist Josef K., who is arrested and prosecuted by a remote, inaccessible authority, while “The Castle” explores the struggles of a land surveyor trying to gain access to a mysterious castle.

Kafka’s works gained significant recognition and influence after his death. His writing style and themes have inspired countless writers, artists, and thinkers. The term “Kafkaesque” has been coined to describe situations that evoke the surreal and absurd qualities found in Kafka’s works.

Franz Kafka died of tuberculosis on June 3, 1924, in Kierling, Austria, at the age of 40. Despite his relatively small body of work, Kafka’s impact on literature and philosophy has been profound, making him one of the most studied and celebrated literary figures of the 20th century.