Exploring the complexity of Kafka's unfinished novel 'The Castle', this work blends elements of Gothic romance, classical mythology, religious symbolism, and social satire, making it one of Kafka's most obscure texts. Researchers believe that this difficult to interpret characteristic was intentionally created by Kafka to allow readers to experience the protagonist's loss in the meaning of the text. The bizarre scenes in 'The Castle' are related to Kafka's workplace experience at the Prague Work Accident Insurance Company, where he deconstructs the bureaucratic system through satirical techniques. Kafka depicted in his novel a bizarre maze composed of administrative institutions, a bureaucratic system that oppresses individuals while exposing its own bloated, inefficient, and self contradictory nature. The information transmission channels in 'The Castle' become part of the maze, reflecting the alienation of the system. Kafka's writing continues his literary interpretation of the modern power order in "The Litigation," with a particular focus on the media techniques of the bureaucratic system. The development of new media technology had a profound impact on Kafka, inspiring his imagination. In "The Castle," he explores the impact of different media forms and their interrelationships on humanity, as well as how these reflect the operation and essence of bureaucratic systems.

Kafka and the New Media Technology of the Early 20th Century

Explored the impact of the development of media technology in the early 20th century on human perception and self-awareness, particularly the invention and popularization of the telephone. Kafka lived during this transitional period, and his works reflect his experiences and feelings towards new media technology. The emergence of telephone technology has broken the traditional monopoly of writing, separated human physiological structure from information technology, and changed people's communication methods and social relationships. The immediacy of phone calls brings a sense of oppression and social anxiety, while also increasing uncertainty and identity display. Kafka depicted the role of the telephone as a tool of power in his works, while also expressing his fear and imagination of telephone technology through letters. He envisioned a combination of telephone and other auditory media, reflecting concerns about media technology replacing humans. Kafka's media cognition reflects the competition, complementarity, and linkage between old and new media, providing important prerequisites for his creation of 'The Castle'.

Phone calls and power control networks in 'Castle'

Kafka revealed the complexity of power control networks through telephone conversations in 'The Castle'. The telephone, as a modern tool of the castle's power structure, is not only a channel for the protagonist K to communicate with the castle, but also exposes the contradictions and paradoxes of the power network. When K first made contact with the phone at the inn, he was surprised by the contrast between its modernity and rural atmosphere, reflecting the castle's use of modern technology for territorial control. Schwarze verified K's identity over the phone, demonstrating that the bureaucratic system relies on telephone media to obtain legitimacy and power. The immediacy and anonymity of phone calls enhance the drama of K's situation, while exposing information barriers and communication deficiencies within the power system, leading to uncertainty in K's identity.

Letters, messengers, and desire writing in 'The Castle'

Explored the role of letters and messengers in constructing the relationship between the protagonist K and the center of power in Kafka's "The Castle". Letters, as the transmission device of literary machines, transmit identity information together with telephones, but their material carrier makes them more closely connected to the body, pointing to desires in a dual sense. The appearance of messenger Barnabas reversed K's refusal over the phone, and the letter provided official recognition and a channel for continued communication. The body of the messenger became a medium for information transmission, reproducing pre modern communication methods and directly connecting information with the body. K attempts to achieve direct communication with power through Barnabas' bodily medium, reflecting a fear of media technology barriers and a desire for equal recognition. However, Barnabas failed to bring K into the castle, but instead brought him to his own home, revealing the power oppression and discrimination behind his identity as a messenger. The role of letter media in power control is further demonstrated, with Amalia's resistance leading to the exclusion of the entire family, and Barnabas becoming a messenger attempting to rebuild his connection with the power network. K's desire for Barnabas' body reflects his pursuit of media embodiment, but is ultimately pushed into more complex uncertainty. Telephone and letters, as technological means of power control, maintain the unequal relationship between power and individuals. The Castle showcases the paradoxical techniques of modern politics through K's frustration and hope, and is a model of power mechanism fiction. Kafka combined the transformation of media technology with criticism of power, demonstrating the new distance and manipulation created by remote communication technology in power relations, giving "The Castle" a stronger sense of warning today.