1 Introduction

This paper introduces Kafka, as a master of German literature, whose works have far greater influence in the French world than in the German world, discusses the reasons why Kafka is valued in France, and how the French translate and study Kafka's works, revealing the close relationship between French literature, theoretical research and Kafka.

2 lesser known: Kafka in the German speaking world

Explored Kafka's cold reception in the German speaking world and its reasons. Kafka was born in the Bohemian region, where cultural, racial, and religious conflicts were ongoing. The conflict between Germans and Czechs laid the foundation for Kafka's literary career. The Bohemian region is inhabited by multiple ethnic groups, and Czechs strive for the same rights as Germans, resulting in a weakened status of the German language and affecting education and literature. As a Jew, Kafka's father chose to let him learn German, and Kafka's literary works were also written in German, but they were almost unpublished in Bohemia. Kafka's works were not given much attention in the German speaking region, which is related to his background, writing style, and the slow development of German literature in the early 20th century. The anti Semitic policy of the German Empire made it difficult for Jews to participate in literary creation, and Kafka's works were ahead of their time, but readers at the time found it difficult to understand. Kafka's writing style is bizarre and unpredictable, with postmodern characteristics, but at that time German speaking readers were still immersed in traditional literary styles.

3 French academic circles: the booster of Kafka's fame

Explored the reception and research of Kafka in the French academic community, emphasizing the influence of factors such as identity, language, era, and experience on the dissemination and creation of Kafka's literature. Kafka's loneliness and despair shaped the uniqueness of his works, making them difficult to classify, and this uncertainty and richness provided possibilities for multiple interpretations. The acceptance of Kafka in France is closely related to the changes in French intellectuals and literary atmosphere in the 20th century. The Dreyfus Affair suppressed extreme nationalism and paved the way for the acceptance of German writers in France. The early development of French modernist literature provided the foundation for Kafka's popularity in France. Kafka's works received widespread attention from the French public during World War II, echoing the living conditions during the war. French writers and critics such as Andr é Breton, Andr é Gide, Albert Camus, and others have discussed Kafka's works. Kafka's French translation played a crucial role in his dissemination in France, although many critics learned about Kafka through French translations rather than German originals.

Entering France: Translation and Research of Kafka

In the reception and study of Kafka in 20th century France, numerous outstanding translators such as Alexander Viarat, Jean Carriff, Pierre Klosovsky, etc. had a significant impact on the study of Kafka in the French academic community. In the 1960s, the focus of research shifted from content to text structure and narrative techniques, with Matt Robel and Claude David emphasizing the importance of language in Kafka studies. Although there is controversy surrounding the translations of early translators such as Vyarat, they made significant contributions to the reception and study of Kafka in France. Vyarat was Kafka's first French translator, and his translation of "Metamorphoses" was published in the New France Review in 1928, opening up the translation and study of Kafka's works in France.

5 New Research Branches: Theorists' Unique Perspectives

Explored the different interpretations and debates of Kafka's works by 20th century French theorists, particularly the differences between Blanchard and Sartre. The opposing views of Blanchard and Sartre in literature and philosophy, and how they express these views through Kafka's works, are the core of this chapter. Sartre believed that literature should intervene in the world, while Blanchard believed that literature should refuse to intervene. Sartre regarded Kafka's works as a paradigm of existentialist philosophy, while Blanchard emphasized the pure internalization of Kafka's literature. The debate between the two not only involved Kafka's diaries and letters, but also influenced later French theorists such as Derrida, Bart, Foucault, and Deleuze, whose views were largely similar to those of Blanchot, further advancing the development of French theory.

6 Conclusion

The literary atmosphere in 20th century France was open and diverse, resonating with Kafka's works. The comments of Breton, Camus, and others promoted the spread of Kafka in France. Kafka's postmodern characteristics have developed in France, and the discourse of Brown Shaw, Bataille, and others carries a postmodern color. Kafka and France complemented each other and jointly promoted each other's development. Contemporary French theory can be divided into two categories: one is existentialist philosophy represented by Sartre, which emphasizes the content of the work and ignores the life of the writer; The second is the postmodern theory represented by Brown Shaw and Derrida, which emphasizes texts and writer's diaries and letters. These two major theoretical schools relied on Kafka to engage in debates until the 1970s when a new group of agentists took center stage. Kafka became a witness to this debate.