Photo/Illutration Franz Kafka (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

When lovelorn and broken-hearted, people respond much better to a sad song than one meant to cheer them up. Many might shut themselves in their room, play the song at full volume and drown themselves in sorrow.

Likewise, when in distress, many find solace in negative words rather than positive ones, according to Hiroki Kashiragi, who calls himself an “introducer of literary works.”

In his book titled “Zetsubo Meijin Kafuka no Jinseiron” (A study of the life of Kafka, a master of despair), Kashiragi cites Franz Kafka’s (1883-1924) words that go to the effect, “I am unable to walk toward the future. As for stumbling toward the future, that I am capable of. But what I can do best is to remain fallen on the ground.”

The author, arguably one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century, was born in the Czech capital of Prague on July 3 exactly 140 years ago.

Socially awkward, Kafka was not good at forming personal relationships but longed for closeness. He hated his job but could not quit. He wanted to marry but was unable to proceed with it.

He became engaged to the same woman twice and broke off the engagement as many times.

In his iconic “Metamorphosis,” the protagonist wakes up from a dream to find himself turned into a huge insect, which Kafka described as “ungeziefer” in German. The term means vermin.

Since the German word denotes small pesky creatures that are useless to humans, this bizarre novel can be interpreted as a story of a socially withdrawn “hikikomori” person who has been dismissed as “useless” to society.

The work probably reflects Kafka’s own struggles in life. He once said to the effect, “To live means to constantly stray into side streets ... And we are not even allowed to look back.”

I wonder if these words resonate with today’s angst-ridden young people who are unable to see hope in the future.

For some reason, we humans suddenly feel a bit empowered when we realize there was someone who was just like us, in a different era and in a foreign country.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 4

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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