Nihilism is "the destruction of everything without mercy" (Palmieri, 3). An entirely different movement that is sometimes lumped together with nihilism is existentialism, which is the belief that "the world is without meaning or purpose." He further states that “existence itself – all action, suffering, and feeling – is ultimately senseless and empty” (Pratt, 11). Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924) was an existentialist author, but his work was distinctive enough to create his own personal, Kafkaesque style. It is used to describe texts similar to his (Crew, 1). He was "a relatively unknown author during his lifetime" and "published ... few of his works." His early works were destroyed and his friend Max Brod published later ones (Crew, 1). One of Kafka's favorite self-published books was The Trial, which clearly illustrates the main point of the existentialist movement, which is that life is meaningless. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The trial consists solely of a man's struggle to redeem himself and ends with his death. Throughout nearly the entire novel, Joseph K. attempts to obtain a pardon for an unmentioned crime, which neither he nor the reader ever discovers. "The only thing that made sense was to adapt to existing conditions. Even if it were possible to change a detail here or there for the better - but thinking about it would be madness - any resulting advantage would only benefit customers in the future, while their own interests would be immeasurably harmed attracting the attention of ever-vindictive officials. Anything rather than that!” (Kafka, 121) The last scene of the book is the execution of his sentence; he is stabbed to death and K. can only think about how shameful his death is. "'Like a dog!' he said; it was as if the shame had to survive him" (Kafka, 229). This goes hand in hand with the message of existentialism that everything leads to death anyway, since K. being indignant only at the way he dies is absurd, and Kafka even mentions suicide as a response. Kafka shows us this by telling us K.'s thoughts: "K. he now clearly felt that he would have to grab the knife himself, which was passing from hand to hand above him, and stick it into his own chest" (Kafka, 228). Since the claim of existentialism is that life has no meaning, Kafka illustrates perfectly with the futile struggle and final conviction of the Trial. The German-speaking Jew was born in Prague on July 3, 1883, and various things in his life supposedly led him to follow existentialist beliefs. When he was young he read the works of the symbol of nihilism (which is somehow related to existentialism), Friedrich Nietzsche, Darwin, founder of the theory of evolution (which some consider antitheistic, leading to despair) and others. At the same time he wrote what are called his "early works ", which will be destroyed (Leni, 1). His education took place in German schools, rather than in common Czech ones, since "the language of the elite was German". This "demonstrates his father's desire for social promotion" (Leni , 1). His father was abusive and their “relationship…dominates all discussions of both his life and his work” (Crew, 1). His father considered Kafka "too eccentric, with his vegetarianism and quiet nature". In The Trial, numerous people take on the role of Kafka's father for K. Anna, his landlady's cook, could perhaps be an incarnation of Kafka's father, as she simply observes K.'s arrest (i.e. the decline of Kafka's health in real life) and doesn't. help, and perhaps his boss also represents his father, as he is domineering and apathetic about K.'s well-being. Finally, K.'s uncle.plays the supreme role of Kafka's father, being obnoxiously pseudo-helpful and forcing him to hire a lawyer against his will. His uncle says things like, "You've changed a lot, you always had such a clear brain, and now he's going to disappoint you?" as a means of trying to encourage K. (Kafka, 97). Kafka was very interested in Yiddish theatre. She traveled with Brod to Paris, Italy, and Switzerland, and on these trips, "he had numerous adventures and late-night adventures with barmaids, waitresses, and shop assistants, not to mention his visits to brothels" (Leni, 5). The lawyer's maid often flirts with him, saying things like, "I don't need thanks, except that I want you to love me" (Kafka, 180). he also found sex "absolutely repugnant and disgusting", but at the same time he used girls who "meant nothing to him other than immediate sexual gratification" (Leni, 6). In the Trial K. hardly knows how to launch himself "I will go with you wherever you want, you can do with me whatever you want, I will be happy if I can only leave here for a long time, and I would like it to be forever," says a woman he meets at court ( Kafka, 56). He would avoid marriage at all costs because, for some reason, he thought that regularly required sex would be intolerable. K., just as Kafka did in life, pursues women when they present themselves: "The woman really attracted him, and after mature reflection he could find no valid reason why he should not give in to that attraction" (Kafka, 56) . When Franz broke off his engagement with Felice, in July 1914, he began writing The Trial (Leni, 5-7). His illness, tuberculosis, perhaps would have pushed him into existentialism as it took away meaning from his life, and the fact that he was never able to commit to a girl also shows a lack of purpose. The trial might be considered anti-government, but it's most likely just about the futility of life. While nihilism advocates the destruction of everything, especially government and belief in God, existentialism is more apathetic about everything. While this strange and unofficial justice system that abuses K. could be considered anti-government, it is probably more accurate to assume that it is an allegory for life. The justice system that ends K.'s life is above the government because it is undetectable and is everywhere. The Court is also seemingly omnipotent, as when someone attempts to “alter the arrangement of things around him, he runs the risk of losing his balance and falling into disrepair, while the organization would simply right itself” (Kafka, 121). Government played no apparent role in Kafka's writing of The Trial, and the apathy of existentialism could manifest itself under most government systems. The main philosophical point of existentialism emphasizes the futility of life. If life has no meaning, what is better than dedicating your life to a meaningless movement? Franz Kafka was influenced by ever-changing lovers (Felice Bauer, perhaps Grete Bloch, Julie Whoryzek, Milena Jesenska and Dora Diamant, just to name those who played the most important roles in his life), by the war going on around him , from a violent father, and his terminal illness, tuberculosis (Leni, 5-8). His illness killed him, but as pessimism and depression still exist, so existentialism and Kafka's works continue to preach the message. Since Franz Kafka was an influential enough writer for philosophers to create a word based on his name - Kafkaesque - he is obviously a highly respected and widely appreciated author. Supporters of life as we know it today can be grateful that Kafka was not a nihilist, for with this kind of influence he would have..