Unveiling Franz Kafka's Battle with Writer's Block: Letter on Auction
Delve into the creative turmoil of Franz Kafka as his rare letter on writer's block hits the auction block, offering a unique glimpse into his artistic challenges.
A letter revealing Franz Kafka's battle with writer's block is set to be auctioned. The Prague-born Jewish writer, famous for his novella "The Metamorphosis" from 1915, faced ongoing struggles with anxiety, hopelessness, and isolation. These themes ultimately shaped his work, yet little has been known about his creative process.
Franz Kafka was born in Prague -- then in Bohemia -- in 1883 and died in 1924.
Franz Kafka was born in Prague -- then in Bohemia -- in 1883 and died in 1924.
The one-page letter, dated to spring 1920, is expected to be sold for £70,000 to £90,000 ($89,000 to $115,000) at Sotheby’s in London, as confirmed by the auction house.
Kafka wrote this piece while he was being treated for tuberculosis, which he had been diagnosed with three years prior. He would take breaks from his job at an insurance company to stay at sanatoriums for treatment. In 1922, he retired and passed away in a clinic near Vienna two years later.
Kafka details a three-year-long writer's block and the "worries" troubling him.
Kafka details a three-year-long writer's block and the "worries" troubling him.
Sotheby's
Kafka expressed his frustration in a letter to his friend, the Austrian poet Albert Ehrenstein, stating that he hadn't written anything new in three years. He mentioned that the work being published at that time was old and he had not even started on any new projects.
Kafka explained that his lack of new literary output was due to worries that had deeply affected him, causing a block in his writing and a sense of resignation. He admitted that his resistance to these worries was not strong enough to continue writing and expressing his thoughts.
Sotheby’s announced on Monday that they received a letter from Ehrenstein, who had asked Kafka to contribute to his magazine. Ehrenstein was inspired to make the request after reading Kafka's recently published work, most likely the 1919 short story collection "Ein Landarzt" ("A Country Doctor").
Rodrigo García
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"The life and works of Franz Kafka have captivated people worldwide for a long time," shared Gabriel Heaton, specialist in Books & Manuscripts at Sotheby's.
In a recent statement, he mentioned, "The letter shows us the intense challenges Kafka faced while writing, needing inner strength to battle insecurity and doubts about the worth of his work. It's inspiring that Kafka kept writing despite struggling with writer's block."
When Kafka wrote the letter, he was also in a passionate relationship with Czech journalist and writer Milena Jesenská. Despite his declining health, Jesenská's support gave Kafka renewed confidence to work on his final literary projects, such as "A Hunger Artist" and "The Castle."
Even though Kafka wanted his unpublished writings to be destroyed after his death, both "A Hunger Artist" and "The Castle" were published posthumously in 1924 and 1926.
Kafka's greatest literary recognition came after his death, despite being sought out by avant-garde publishers during his lifetime.
All of Kafka's works were originally written in German and were rediscovered in Germany and Austria after 1945. His influence on German literature grew significantly, eventually extending globally by the 1960s. His works have since been adapted into various forms such as cinema, TV, and theater.
The auction will run from June 26 to July 10.
Editor's P/S:
The letter unveiling Franz Kafka's battle with writer's block offers invaluable insight into the creative struggles of one of literature's most renowned figures. Kafka's admission of a three-year-long block and the profound anxieties that plagued him sheds light on the immense challenges he faced in producing his literary masterpieces. The letter serves as a poignant reminder that even the most celebrated writers grapple with periods of doubt and uncertainty.
The auction of Kafka's letter presents an opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of his creative process. The letter's expected high value underscores the enduring fascination with Kafka's work and its ability to resonate with readers across generations. It is a testament to the enduring power of Kafka's writing that his struggles with writer's block have become a subject of intense interest and study, revealing the intricate tapestry of inspiration, doubt, and perseverance that shaped his literary legacy.
