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
