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Kafka and Autism

The Undisclosed Logic Behind Kafka’s Work

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Abstract

In this paper the hypothesis is presented that Franz Kafka was a person with autism. This is done by analyzing and discussing his biography, letters, diaries and major works. Kafka’s autism is an integral diagnosis which encompasses both his personal life and his work. This interpretation is contrary to other interpretations from the past which in all cases were only partially applicable to explain Kafka’s life and work. In Kafka research the big secret of Kafka was how he was able to write he did, like no one before him had done. The function and use of parables are also discussed to support this autism hypothesis concerning Franz Kafka which ultimately makes his life and work more understandable and accessible.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank an anonymous referee whose comments greatly improved the initial version of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jerry Stuger.

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Stuger, J. Kafka and Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 47, 2336–2347 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3158-5

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