H.v.클라이스트와 F.카프카의 세계에서 본 자유의 문제 - 『인형극에 대하여』, 『성』, 『어느 개의 연구』를 중심으로

Abstract

Kleist writes most directly and theoretically about the problem of freedom in his essay Über das Marionettentheater. It treats the process of realization and the difficulties of realization itself inherent in man’s wish to be free. In a discussion with the narrator, Herr C. praises the graceful and natural movements of mechanical puppets, which, he argues, are far superior to those of human dancers like himself. In his essay, Kleist finally points out that self-consciousness has corrupted man’s freedom of motion and to be once again free and graceful, man must overcome the limits of his own perception through the infinite consciousness symbolized as the second fruit in heaven. Kafka’s characters are struggling with the same problem of the possibility of human beings to escape from the force of gravity that inhibits and limits man in unnatural and awkward situations, as it raised in Kleist’s Über das Marionettentheater. In Das Schloss and Forschungen eines Hundes of Kafka, behaviors of the protagonists clinging to unrealistic problem show the attempts to reach the domain of pure freedom based on the infinite consciousness through the eternal repetition of self-destruction, such as an effort of Sisyphus. In spite of the basic futility and absurdity of their attempts, their personal commitment to these insolvable questions has given them a sense of self and freedom otherwise unavailable to him. The way to the free state given beyond the limits of reason is quite similar to the unlimited destruction of perception in Kleist, infinite repeat of self-destruction in Kafka, and “Leap of Faith” in Søren Kierkegaard approaching to infinity from finitude through the self-destruction.