Kafka, Freud, and "Ein Landarzt"

Abstract

Kafka's writings and the theories of Sigmund Freud. The story Ein Landarzt in particular has been seen as an example of the influence of Freud on Kafka's work.l However, to the best of our knowledge, no attempt has ever been made to trace the development of Kafka's interest in and attitude to Freud, psychoanalysis and psychology in general and to study Ein Landarzt as a part of this development. The present study endeavours to do this. In particular it aims at showing that the story Ein Landarzt is the literary expression of Kafka's attitude to Freudian psychology. It is reasonably certain that Kafka first became acquainted with the theories of Freud at the series of lectures and discussions held in 1912 at the house of Frau Bertha Fanta.2 The most controversial