ABSTRACT
Franz Kafka's sympathy for the peasants is apparent in much of his work. On the other hand he despises the nobility and is tireless in selecting feudal symbols such as castle, manor, and armor to portray the oppressor and authority. The spirit of rebellion is in his work—rebellion against an autocratic, repressive church, against the feudalism of which he found evidence all around him, and against the absolutism of the conquerors. Kafka's creative talents manifested themselves precociously. His appearance and behavior as a young man belied his inner turmoil. Woman for Kafka was the symbol and means of salvation, an escape from his father and therapy for himself. As a result, his meeting with F.B. had important consequences for his work. He experienced an artistic breakthrough a little more than a month after meeting her, discovering the theme and style characteristic of him.
