Kunstmärchen to Kafka: The Metamorphosis of Fairytale Motifs
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Date
2005-06
Authors
Klaudinyi, Jennifer
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Abstract
This study examines Franz Kafka’s use of fairytale motifs in his short story The Metamorphosis. Focusing specifically on transformation tales, it explores some of the classic structures of Kunstmärchen (art-tales) written by fairytale pioneers, the brothers Grimm. The tales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm serve as an influence for Kafka and a basis for his inversion and departure from traditional fairytale motifs. The study also discusses Nikolai Gogol’s short story of transformation, “The Nose.” The writing of Gogol, another of Kafka’s influences, functions as a bridge between the Grimms’ tales and Kafka’s story. While the Grimms use supernatural events to convey a world of absolute justice, defined by a set system of right and wrong, Gogol and Kafka portray narratives ruled by absurdity. Instead of rewarding good characters and punishing bad, Gogol and Kafka reverse the common happy endings found in the tales of the Grimm brothers, questioning the validity of a single perception of justice. Gogol and Kafka also abandon the symbolic forest setting used by the Grimm brothers, instead depicting unforgiving cityscapes. Both authors allude to classic fairytale motifs but deny the traditional settings and conclusions established by the Grimm brothers, creating a sort of urban fairytale where disorder rules.
Description
65 p. A THESIS Presented to the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2005.
A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number: SCA Archiv Storage Klaudinyi 2005
A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number: SCA Archiv Storage Klaudinyi 2005
Keywords
Kafka, Franz, 1883-1924, Grimm, Jacob, 1785-1863, Gogol, Nikolai Vasilevich, 1809-1852, Grimm, Wilhelm, 1786-1859, Fairy tales -- Germany