Fellowship
By: Franz Kafka
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Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883, in Prague, Czech Republic. Kafka grew up in a middle-class Jewish family. After studying in the University of Prague, he worked in insurance and wrote in the evenings. He was a smart child who did well in school even at the Alstädter Staatsgymnasium, an exciting high school for the academic elite. Franz feared that people would find him mentally and physically repulsive. However, those who met him percieved him possess a quiet and cool demeanor, obvious intelligence, and a dry sense of humor. Kafka's laryngeal tuberculosis worsened and in March 1924, he returned from Berlin to Prague, where his family took care of him. He went to Dr. Hoffmann's santorium in Kierling near Vienna for treatment on April 10, and died there on June 3 1924. They say that the cause of his death was starvation. The pain of his throat made it too painful for him to swallow and eat.
Prereading Reflection
Why might a group of friends stick together?
A group of friends might stick together because they all love each other, as brothers and sisters. They protect and defend each other. No matter how much they might fight or tease with each other, they still are tight together, they are like family.
Why might a group of friends exclude someone from joining them?
A group of friends might exclude someone maybe because the person is mean and acts like a jerk to them or everyone else. Maybe because the person is weird. Or maybe because that the person does not get what the group does. Maybe also because the person might be too uptight or maybe too childish.
A group of friends might stick together because they all love each other, as brothers and sisters. They protect and defend each other. No matter how much they might fight or tease with each other, they still are tight together, they are like family.
Why might a group of friends exclude someone from joining them?
A group of friends might exclude someone maybe because the person is mean and acts like a jerk to them or everyone else. Maybe because the person is weird. Or maybe because that the person does not get what the group does. Maybe also because the person might be too uptight or maybe too childish.
Vocabulary in Context
Intrude-disturb. "He doesn't do us any harm, but he annoys us, and that is harm enough; why does he intrude where he is not wanted?" (p.87)
Tolerated- allow. "...but what is possible and can be tolerated by the five of us is not possible and cannot be tolerated with this sixth one." (p.87)
Pouts- frown. "No matter how he pouts his lips wwe push him away with our elbows, nut however much we push him away, he comes back."" (p.88)
Tolerated- allow. "...but what is possible and can be tolerated by the five of us is not possible and cannot be tolerated with this sixth one." (p.87)
Pouts- frown. "No matter how he pouts his lips wwe push him away with our elbows, nut however much we push him away, he comes back."" (p.88)
Contrasting Ideas
The author wants us to be SYMPATHETIC of the five for not including the sixth The five have different experiences that the sixth person does not know. Also because the five believe that it is a waste of time if they tell the sixth person about all of their experiences and stories.
The five friends think that the sixth person is intruding their privacy. They do not want the sixth person to join because that person is all up in their business. The five friends altogether think that the sixth person is annoying because he comes on coming back. They also do not like the sixth person because no matter how many times that the five reject him, the sixth person will always come back. The five friends do not know him and do not really want to get to know the sixth person. |
The author wants us to be CRITICAL of the five for not including the sixth It is mean, in the real world, to reject someone from joining or entering your group.
They should at least give the sixth person a chance or opportunity to prove himself. The five also thinks that the sixth person is annoying, without real proof. Even though that the sixth person does not really harm the five, they say that the sixth person still does harm the five by disturbing their privacy. The five also think that explaining to the sixth person or at least giving the sixth person an opportunity is a waste of time. It is a waste of time because it would be like welcoming the sixth person into being friends with the five. |