Nihilism is “the merciless destruction of everything” (Palmieri, 3). A completely different movement that is sometimes grouped with nihilism is existentialism, which is a belief that "the world is without meaning or purpose." He also states that “existence itself – all action, suffering and feeling – is ultimately senseless and empty” (Pratt, 11). Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924) was an existentialist author, but his work was distinctive enough to create his own, Kafkaesque, style. It is used to describe texts similar to his own (Crew, 1). He was "a relatively unknown author during his lifetime" and "published... some of his works". His first works were destroyed and his friend Max Brod published the last ones (Crew, 1). One of Kafka's favorite self-authored books was The Trial, which clearly illustrates the main point of the existentialist movement, that life is meaningless. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original EssayThe trial consists solely of one man's struggle to redeem himself and ends with his death. Throughout most of the novel, Joseph K. attempts to obtain forgiveness for an unmentioned crime, which neither he nor the reader ever discovers. "The only sensible thing was to adapt to existing conditions. Even if it were possible to change a detail for the better here or there - but it was mere folly to think of it - any benefit from this would benefit the customers in the future only, while our own interests would be immeasurably harmed by attracting the attention of ever-vengeful officials Anything rather than that! sentence; he is stabbed to death, and all K. can think about is how shameful his death is "'Like a dog!' he said; it was as if shame would survive him” (Kafka, 229). This goes in line with the message of existentialism that everything ends in death anyway, because K. being outraged only because the way he dies is absurd, and Kafka even implies that suicide is a answer. Kafka shows us this by telling us K.'s thoughts: "K. now clearly saw that he himself had to grab the knife, which was passing from hand to hand above him, and plunge it into his own breast” (Kafka, 228). Since the assertion of existentialism is that life has no meaning, Kafka illustrates this perfectly through the pointless struggle and final conviction of the Trial. The German-speaking Jew was born in Prague on July 3, 1883, and various things in his life likely led him to follow existentialist beliefs. When he was young, he read the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, emblematic figure of nihilism (which is somewhat linked to existentialism), of Darwin, founder of the theory of evolution (which some consider antitheistic, leading to despair) and others. Simultaneously, he wrote what are called his "early works", which were destroyed (Leni, 1). His education took place in German schools, instead of common Czech schools, because "the language of the elites was German". This “demonstrates her father’s desire for social advancement” (Leni, 1). His father was abusive and their “relationship…dominates all discussions about his life and work” (Crew, 1). His father considered Kafka "too eccentric, with his vegetarianism and quiet nature." In The Trial, many people assume the role of Kafka's father for K. Anna, his landlady's cook, could perhaps be an incarnation of Kafka's father, as she simply watches K. get arrested (this is i.e. the real decline of Kafka's health) and does notdon't do it. perhaps his boss also represents his father, as he appears authoritarian and apathetic regarding K.'s well-being. Finally, K.'s uncle plays the ultimate role of Kafka's father by showing himself odiously pseudo-helpful and forcing him to hire a lawyer against his will. His uncle says things like, "You've really changed, you were always so clear-minded, and is that going to fail you now?" to try to encourage K. (Kafka, 97 years old). Kafka was very interested in Yiddish theater. He traveled with Brod to Paris, Italy and Switzerland, and on these trips, "he had many affairs and one-night stands with barmaids, waitresses and saleswomen, not to mention his visits to brothels" (Leni, 5). K.'s character also tries to have such adventures. the lawyer's maid, frequently flirts with him, telling him things such as: "I don't need thanks, except that I want you to love me" (Kafka, 180). he also found sex “absolutely repulsive and disgusting,” but at the same time he used girls who “meant nothing to him beyond immediate sexual gratification” (Leni, age 6). In The Trial, the women K. barely knows how to throw. “I will go with you wherever you want, you can do with me whatever you want, I will be happy if I can only get out of here for a long time, and I wish it was forever,” says one woman whom he meets at Court (Kafka, 56 years old). He would avoid marriage at all costs, because for some reason he thought it would be intolerable to have regular sex. K., just like Kafka in his life, attacks women when they present themselves: “The woman really attracted him and, after careful consideration, he could find no valid reason not to give in to this attraction” ( Kafka, 56). When Franz broke off his engagement to Felice in July 1914, he began writing The Trial (Leni, 5-7). His illness, tuberculosis, might have led him to existentialism, as it took meaning to his life, and the fact that he was never able to commit to a girl also shows a lack of purpose . The lawsuit could be seen as anti-government, but more than likely it only deals with the futility of life. Although nihilism advocates destroying everything – government and faith in god(s) in particular – existentialism is more apathetic towards everything. Although this strange, unofficial justice system abusing K. could be considered anti-government, it is probably more accurate to assume that it is an allegory for life. The justice system that ends K.'s life is above the government in that it is undetectable and everywhere. The Court is apparently also all-powerful, because when someone attempts to "change the way things around him, he runs the risk of losing his footing and falling into destruction, while the organization simply recovers." (Kafka, 121). The government played no apparent role in Kafka's writing of The Trial, and the apathy of existentialism could manifest itself in almost any governmental system. The main philosophical point of existentialism emphasizes the futility of life. If life has no meaning, what could be better than devoting your life to a meaningless movement? Franz Kafka was influenced by constantly changing lovers (Felice Bauer, perhaps Grete Bloch, Julie Whoryzek, Milena Jesenska and Dora Diamant, to name only those who played the most important roles in his life), war raging around him, an abusive father, and his terminal illness, tuberculosis (Leni, 5-8). His illness killed him, but since pessimism and depression still exist, existentialism and Kafka's works continue to preach the..