"Fellowship"
By: Franz Kafka
About the Author
Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883 in the city of Prague, what is the now the capital of the Czech Republic. He and his family were Jewish. Franz Kafka graduated from the University of Prague. He then worked in insurance. Franz Kafka also wrote in the evenings. Kafka moved to Berlin to focus in writing in 1923. But shortly after he moved to Berlin, Franz Kafka died of tuberculosis on June 3, 1924. Max Brod, Franz Kafka's friend, published most of Franz Kafka's work after Franz died. Some works of Franz Kafka are "Amerika", "The Trial", and "The Castle".
Pre-Reading Reflection
Why might a group of friends stick together?
A group of friends might stick together to help each other. A group of friends might want to be together so they have each other's backs.
Why might a group of friends exclude someone from joining them?
A group of friends might exclude someone from joining them because maybe the person they excluded wasn't very friendly and might have done bad actions that made the group of friends exclude that person.
A group of friends might stick together to help each other. A group of friends might want to be together so they have each other's backs.
Why might a group of friends exclude someone from joining them?
A group of friends might exclude someone from joining them because maybe the person they excluded wasn't very friendly and might have done bad actions that made the group of friends exclude that person.
Vocabulary
Intrude:
The term "intrude" means to bring in without permission as used in the quote "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?" (Page 87)
Tolerated:
The term "tolerated" means to put up with as used in the quote "There was a time, of course, when the five of us did not know on another, either; and it could be said that we still don't know one another, but what is possible and can be tolerated by the five of us is not possible and cannot be tolerated with this sixth one." (Page 87)
Pouts:
The term "pouts" means to thrust out the lips as used in the quote "No matter how he pouts his lips we push him away with our elbows, but however much we push him away, back he comes." (Page 88)
The term "intrude" means to bring in without permission as used in the quote "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?" (Page 87)
Tolerated:
The term "tolerated" means to put up with as used in the quote "There was a time, of course, when the five of us did not know on another, either; and it could be said that we still don't know one another, but what is possible and can be tolerated by the five of us is not possible and cannot be tolerated with this sixth one." (Page 87)
Pouts:
The term "pouts" means to thrust out the lips as used in the quote "No matter how he pouts his lips we push him away with our elbows, but however much we push him away, back he comes." (Page 88)
Contrasting Ideas
The author wants us to be sympathetic of the five for not including the sixth.
The five knew each other for a long time. The five think that they do not need a sixth to enter the group. For example, "It is also pointless for the five of us, but here we are together and will remain together; a new combination, however, we do not want, just because of our experiences." (Page 87-88) The five think that the sixth is interfering their privacy. The five do not want the sixth to enter their group. For example, "Since then we have been living together; it would be a peaceful life if it weren't for a sixth one continually trying to interfere." (Page 87) The five think that the sixth is intruding them all the time. For instance, "Why does he intrude where he is not wanted?" (Page 87) The five think that it is very annoying when the sixth keeps coming to the group of five. For instance, "He doesn't do us any harm, but he annoys us, and that is harm enough." (Page 87) The five think that the sixth is very bothering every time he comes. They don't want him. For example, "We don't know him and don't want him to join us." (Page 87) |
The author wants us to be critical of the five for not including the sixth.
It is mean to exclude someone from a group. The five are being mean. For example, "We don't know him and don't want him to join us." (Page 87) The five don't even give the sixth a chance to join the group. For example, "what is possible and can be tolerated by the five of us is not possible and cannot be tolerated with this sixth one." (Page 87) The five assume that he is annoying. They don't even know if he is annoying. They just think that whenever he comes, that is annoying. The five just push the sixth away. They don't care about the sixth person. For example, "No matter how he pouts his lips we push him away with our elbows." (Page 88) The five just think it is a waste of time for the sixth to join them. They don't give time for the sixth one. For instance, "Long explanations would almost amount to accepting him to our circle, so we prefer not to explain and not to except him." (Page 88) |