Undoubtedly, Kafka explores the hunger artist's complicated relationship with his audience, and in this relationship we can better see how each side appreciates the art. The audience that is viewing the artist feeds upon the belief that the artist is cheating. They continually view the artist only wishing to find him cheating. They even become confident that he is cheating, yet no one is ever able to find any form of proof. If the suspicions were to be confirmed, the audience would not be satisfied, and, in fact, feel cheated and frustrated. The man only wishes to be honored by the public and he asks for forgiveness and explains that …show more content…
The hunger artist's fasts are limited to forty days; Christ was "led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights." Kafka also presents numerous images of the artist appearing as Christ such as when some women try to help him out of the cage, he outstretches his arms, appearing as if he is on the cross. Christ's fast, which he most likely did to allude to the forty years of wandering for the Jews, has now become Lent. However, Christ suffered for humanity; the hunger artist suffers because of