Downloads: 2
Research Paper | Arts and Humanities | Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026 | Pages: 2028 - 2032 | India
Alienation Philosophies in Franz Kafka: An Existential Reading of Modern Identity
Abstract: Search for identity is the major concern of modern English literary novels. Especially, the expression of 20th Century existentialism has found its recognition in the novels of modern writers. Among them Kafka's fiction remains one of the most profound literary explorations of alienation in modern literature. This qualitative review examines the philosophical dimensions of alienation in Kafka's major works, particularly The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle. Drawing upon existential philosophy, Marx's theory of alienation, and Camus's concept of the absurd, the study synthesizes existing scholarship to explore how Kafka portrays the fragmentation of identity, social exclusion, bureaucratic oppression, and the search for meaning. The present study reviews critically the recurring patterns in the interpretation of Kalfka's representation of alienation. The review demonstrates that Kalfka's protagonists experience alienation not only from society but also from family, work, authority, and the self, making alienation a universal condition of modern existence. The analysis further reveals that Kalfka's narratives anticipate many concerns of twentieth- century existentialism while remaining highly relevant to contemporary discussions of identity, technology, and institutional power. Through the integration of diverse philosophical perspectives into a single interpretative framework, this study brings forth the continuing significance of Kalfka's works for understanding the complexities of modern identity and the human condition.
Keywords: Alienation, Existentialism, modern identity, absurdism, bureaucracy
How to Cite?: Dr. D. Chitra, "Alienation Philosophies in Franz Kafka: An Existential Reading of Modern Identity", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2028-2032, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26929161444, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26929161444