The Remnant: Franz Kafka's Letter - A Study on the Margins of Judaism

As a Jew, Kafka received nothing in inheritance from his father. Nevertheless, throughout his oeuvre, subtly, remnants of Jewish words can be deciphered. Hence, the question at the heart of this book: what remains when what's left is a "nothing of Judaism" (Letter to the Father)? This question necessitates a philosophical and Jewish reading of his work, prompting a reconsideration of the intricate relationships between the Jew and the West and the Jew and modernity. Thus, this book proposes an examination of Kafka's oeuvre to uncover what remains Jewish therein - at the heart of Europe, amidst modernity - where nothing remains: the enigma of the Letter.

About the author

Eli Schonfeld, Shalem College, Jerusalem, Israel.

Summary

As a Jew, Kafka received nothing in inheritance from his father. Nevertheless, throughout his œuvre, subtly, remnants of Jewish words can be deciphered. Hence, the question at the heart of this book: what remains when what’s left is a "nothing of Judaism" (Letter to the Father)? This question necessitates a philosophical and Jewish reading of his work, prompting a reconsideration of the intricate relationships between the Jew and the West and the Jew and modernity. Thus, this book proposes an examination of Kafka's oeuvre to uncover what remains Jewish therein – at the heart of Europe, amidst modernity – where nothing remains: the enigma of the Letter.

Product details

• Authors: Eli Schonfeld
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 23.09.2024
• EAN: 9783111441986
• ISBN: 978-3-11-144198-6
• No. of pages: 165
• Weight: 382 g
• Illustrations: 4 b/w ill.
• Series: Perspectives on Jewish Texts and Contexts
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Judaism; Andere Religionen, Bezug zu Juden und jüdischen Gruppen, Jewish Studies, auseinandersetzen, Existentialism, Jewish philosophy, German-Jewish, Modern Literature