EXISTENTIAL CRISIS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF CHAOS THEORY IN KAFKA’S THREE SHORT STORIES: BEFORE THE LAW, THE VULTURE AND A HUNGER ARTIST

Abstract

Franz Kafka is considered to be one of the representatives of existentialism as well as Modernism. In his works, the main characters are always on a journey through the unknown, adjusting themselves with the laws and authorities imposed on them so that they can fit in the society and deal with the uncertainties they confront as a result of their choices. His works not only demonstrate his rejection of traditional literary conventions of his time but also reflect Kafka’s disoriented inner life and imagination. Considering the structures, characters, themes and contents of his works, Kafka can be seen as a writer who is reflecting the chaotic structure of life and how individuals can suffer from existential crises. His characters and their reactions to the incidents and challenges they face is quite similar to what Kafka had been through in his chaotic life: they look for an order in a chaotic life. However, the world is in a constant change which means a new order comes with another disorder and within this circulation, individuals either survive through challenges adapting themselves to these constant changes or get lost within their own values of life considering death as an escape based on the notion of freewill. Thus, the aim of this study is to discuss the existential crisis that the characters are going through in Kafka’s short stories Before the law, The Vulture and A Hunger Artist within the context of chaos theory highlighting the lack of action that leads the characters under study toward an inevitable death