Questions for the “Hunger Artist”

1. Find textual evidence that shows how Kafka characterizes the hunger artist. What is the hunger artist’s motivation? Are we supposed to feel sympathy for him? Explain your answer.
2. Why do the people grow indifferent? What does it say about people that they change their minds about what is important?
3. Why was the hunger artist replaced in the end by a panther? What is significant about the panther?
4. What is the theme of the story? What is Kafka telling us?
5. What is your reaction to the hunger artist? How is he similar to other artists?

Allegory of the Cave Journal

January 27, 2009
What are the "chains" that have held you back or imprisoned you? How did you feel when you recognized that you were being held down by certain things? How did you escape from those things that held you down--or how will you escape those obstacles in the future?