The Castle (Kafka)

*The Castle* by Franz Kafka is a novel about a man known as K. who arrives in a village seeking access to the mysterious authorities residing in the nearby castle. Despite his efforts, he faces constant bureaucratic obstacles, confusion, and alienation as he tries to understand and communicate with the castle’s officials. The story explores themes of alienation, powerlessness, and the elusive nature of authority, illustrating a struggle for recognition and understanding within an opaque, indifferent system. It reflects on human frustration in the face of inaccessible institutions and the often futile quest for belonging or clarity.