Reading Psychedelic Aesthetics in Kafkas Works

Reading Psychedelic Aesthetics in Kafkas Works

Franz Kafka has been discussed as an existentialist, a Zionist, a Marxist and also a philosopher. While most of the twentieth century studies centred around reading Kafka on the content plane, the contemporary Kafka studies show a change in trend where scholars and critics alike have shifted focus on re-reading Kafkas works on the expression plane??from the Hegelian school to the Kantian school of art without a concept. But it is interesting that even such studies only deal with the form??use of metaphor and the typical Kafkaesque expressions in writing, syntax and use of minimal narrative, not delving deeper to realize the aesthetic potential of his works in totality. It was Milan Kundera who first noted that most Kafka readings negate the presence of aesthetics. On reading Kafka from the aesthetic perspective, readers would be bound to reflect on its semblance with psychedelic aesthetics?? a field of aesthetics which itself has been much debated. The research involved an analysis of the Kafkan texts and works which fall under the umbrella term psychedelic art??music, painting and literature. A close study revealed that indeed there is a similarity in form, expression and representation in Kafkas works and psychedelic art. This research will provide a new perspective of reading Kafka and partially explain Kafkas use of hallucinatory descriptions, grotesque images and nightmarish scenarios.

Das Suchismita

English Studies