La poetica fisionomica di Franz Kafka

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to sketch out a reading of Kafka’s work based on the idea that the
physiognomic principle is the pillar of his grotesque poetics. According to this principle, Kafka’s literary
work is not to be interpreted (i.e. there is no meaning beyond it to look for) but it is instead to be read as
an experimental machine that immanently produces its own sense. This anti-transcendent reading, which
makes use of some fundamental philosophical accounts (such as Deleuze and Guattari’s, Wittgenstein’s
and Adorno’s), is developed in particular in two directions: on the one side the abolition of the subject
and on the other side the creation of an anti-perspective and anti-metaphorical literature.