Franz Kafka: An Amerikan Perspective

In June, 2001, while working as a journalist for a central Iowa newspaper, I wrote a story about an exhibition at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, IA. Titled "20th Century Czechs-Slovaks-Popular Culture," this exhibition highlighted a variety of individuals of Czech & Slovak ancestry who'd made significant contributions to America's contemporary culture. These included such diverse figures as astronauts (Eugene Cernan), athletes (Stan Musial) and artists (Andy Warhol). One in particular, Franz Kafka, was of special interest to me personally, since I'd been transfixed by his surreal parables since first discovering him as a teenager. An accompanying lecture on Kafka by a University of Iowa literature professor had been scheduled; however, she had to cancel due to illness. I volunteered to fill in as a substitute, pointing to my own academic background in modern literature, particularly the Existentialists. My offer was accepted by the museum curators, and my presentation the following month was well received. This e-book is a transcription of it, giving an overview of Kafka's biography, historical background, and his unique position in American popular culture, including Hollywood. (8,000 words, 16 illustrations)