Franz Kafka’s Resolution in Resolutions

Franz Kafka was a Czech-born German writer. He was born in 1883 and died just shy of his 41st birthday from complcations of TB. He wrote three novels and numerous short stories, some very short. He lost two older brothers making him the the eldest son. His father was ill-tempered and disrespectful toward Kafka’s writing which served to influence much of the conflict and despair not only in his life but his writing.

He would often write nightmarishly complex and absurd plots in a very impersonal manner. Often his stories carried an under appreciated humour in them.

One of the possible definitions of the word “resolution” is: the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out. The complication is usually a situation or detail of a character which attempts to thwart the main thread of the plot.

In his very short piece “Resolutions” Kafka deals with a problem that many of those who experience depression yet try to function within their lives can relate to. That is the problem of making life seem normal and all being well while inside, really wanting to scream in outrage at the universe.

The story is in the public domain so let’s have a look.

“To LIFT YOURSELF out of a miserable mood, even if you have to do it by strength of will, should be easy…