Kafka/Sartre-Kafka Outline

          SUMMARY OF KAFKA'S AND SARTRE'S VIEW OF SOCIETY

Kafka and Sartre each provides a different social theory, including 
relationship of individual to society.  Unlike Kafka, Sartre is using IRONY 
in that he is really against the kind of behavior that Orestes exhibits 
(unlike Kafka, who is using Joseph K. to describe what he perceives to be the 
"human condition." This should help in guiding your reading and understanding 
the differences between each author.  Be sure to compare them with other 
readings we've done.


                     KAFKA             SARTRE

Freedom              None               Lots

Power                Awesome,           We only think
                     Everywhere         it's everywhere

Authority            Arbitrary, we      Challenge it
                     should accept it

Human activity       Futile             Necessary and
                                        effective

Source of Law        Abstract,          People make it
                     Mysterious         Earth-bound

Life Goal            Conformity         Rebellion, search
                     and acquiesence    for "better life"

Existence            helpless,           potentially
                                         powerful
                     alienated           although perceived
                                         as alone/isolated

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