Thomas Mann and Franz Kafka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Mann was a writer who wrote in German

 

** He was born in Lübeck in 1875

** He died in Zürich in 1955

 

Since he was born in Germany and since he lived in Germany for many years, it is fair to describe him as a German writer.

 

He was famous in his own lifetime. Not only in Germany and Austria but also in the English-speaking world. He is still famous today, 150 years after he was born.

 

Franz Kafka was a writer who wrote in German

 

** He was born in Prague in 1883

** He died in Klosterneuburg in 1924

 

In 1883, Prague was a part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Since he was born in the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and since he was also Jewish, it is fair to describe him as an Austrian-Hungarian and Jewish writer.

 

Only a few of his works were published while he was alive. He was not famous in his own lifetime. He became famous after the end of World War Two.

 

At first, in Germany and Austria. In the 1960s, when his works were translated into English, he became famous in the English-speaking world.

 

Thomas Mann and Franz Kafka lived at the same time.

Did Thomas Mann know of Franz Kafka? 

Yes.

Did he express an opinion about the work of Franz Kafka? 

Yes.

He used positive words to describe Kafka’s work.

 

Did Franz Kafka know of Thomas Mann? 

Yes.

Did he express an opinion about the work of Mann? 

Yes.

He used positive words to describe Mann’s work.

 

Did Thomas Mann and Franz Kafka ever meet each other?

No. 

They never met each other. And it seems they never communicated via letters.

 

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The famous German writer

Thomas Mann

(1875-1955)

 

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The famous Austrian-Hungarian

and Jewish writer

Franz Kafka

(1883-1924)

 

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