Existentialism In Jackals And Arabs Short Story

Angle: The short story, “Jackals and Arabs”, by Franz Kafka, illustrates an existential theme in an anthropomorphic tale regarding the controversial Balfour Declaration. Specifically, the message, relating to existentialism, identifies that outside influences, such as religion, distort the truth. For instance, “I am delighted to have met you here at last. I had almost given up hope, since we have been waiting endless years for you”(Kafka 123). Concerning existentialism, this citation conveys that the Jackals have been aimlessly waiting for a Messiah figure to appear, and are unable to take action without relying on faith. Moreover, by displaying how the Jackals are unable to act upon free will, Kafka displays that religion is a negative influence upon the Jackals, and they would be better-off without it. Therefore, the message of the short story encompasses the existentialist notion that outside influences distort the
“Jackals and Arabs” contains numerous symbols, in regards to depth. Firstly, the Jackals themselves represent the Jewish people, waiting for a messiah and becoming over-influenced by religion. For instance, “Sir, we want you to end this quarrel that divides the world. You are exactly the man whom our ancestors foretold as born to do it”(Kafka 125). With regards to the existential theme, this citation illustrates how the Jackals symbolize the Jewish people, as they want their own nation. Further, the camel carcass represents how the Jackals, or Jews, are unable to act freely. For example, “The had forgotten the Arabs, forgotten the hatred, the all-obliterating immediate presence of the stinking carrion bewitched them. One was already at the camel’s throat, sinking his teeth straight into an artery”(Kafa 125). In this citation, the camel carcass and the way in which the Jackals respond symbolizes how the Jackals contain no free will and are influenced by the