No Chance Against Society

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No Chance Against Society

Throughout this world of unique individuals, the majority of human beings have generally conformed into different societal norms that follow one path and one dream without stopping to think of an alternative path. Complications step in front of individual prosperity and these obstacles spring from the pressures of the popular society. Within the short story, "A Hunger Artist", by Franz Kafka, the author proves and disproves a point best stated by Robin George Collinwood, that; "Perfect freedom is reserved for the man who lives by his own work and in that work, does what he wants to do." The protagonist, within this short story, freely chooses his career path as a hunger artist, but as the story continues, the audience begins to see that it is not as much an admired profession as it is a tool to gain fame and satisfaction through the act of suffering. Although Kafka's writing appears easy to understand, it takes a deeper discernment to understand his use of hidden metaphorical themes and symbols. Through his use of parallel connections, dubious metaphors, and symbolic relationships, Kafka is able to successfully portray the triumphant power society has over individual prosperity without complete compliance to popular expectations.

Throughout this short story, Kafka is able to effectively intertwine and detail the relation that the outward society has with the hunger artist. The hunger artist believes his profession to be an art and seeks constant validation, superiority, and attention. In the beginning, the audience is captivated by the hunger artist and his practices, however no one truly believes he is fasting all the time and they do not view fasting as an art. Because the artist is so dependent ...

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...ed by society and eventually defeated. The hunger artist's replacement, the panther, was none other than a soul that was willing to conform to the demands placed upon him. This story takes Ayn Rand's idea of independence and fits it to the practicalities of today's world, which is discerned by the renowned Euripides; "No man is wholly free. He is a slave to wealth, or to fortune, or the laws, or the people restrain him from acting according to his will alone." The hunger artist remained nameless throughout the story signifying inferiority. Kafka's purpose for this was to signify the impracticalities against fighting mainstream society for individual desires. Ultimately, the hunger artist is the true hero for standing up to what he believes in and his death comes right after the moment he gives in. Who is to say the panther will not end up just like the hunger artist?

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