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Event—Adult Education

Canceled - Prague and Milena: Franz Kafka's Unconsummated Loves

Feb 12, 2020

Kafka’s name has become synonymous with modernity and the near–collapse of twentieth–century European civilization in the wake of World War I. In this seminar, we will uncover a more personal side of Kafka’s writing by exploring his unconsummated loves: turn–of–the–century Prague and his beloved Czech translator, Milena.

Out of an abundance of caution in response to the spread of COVID-19, we have canceled all remaining seminars in the Winter/Spring 2020 term. Please visit www.newberry.org/covid19 for further updates.

Please email seminars@newberry.org with any questions.

Seminar Description

Kafka’s name has become synonymous with modernity and the near–collapse of twentieth–century European civilization in the wake of World War I. In this seminar, we will uncover a more personal side of Kafka’s writing by exploring his unconsummated loves: turn–of–the–century Prague and his beloved Czech translator, Milena. Focusing on Kafka’s short stories and his intense Letters to Milena, we will discuss the influence of Milena and of women in general on Kafka’s writing, as well as the history and politics of Prague, a city of three different peoples and conflicting loyalties. This seminar will situate Kafka, Milena, and Prague within modernism’s tradition of literary experimentation and the identity crisis of the modern man.

Six sessions. E – $230, R – $253

An award–winning translator, Dagmar Herrmann is a longtime Newberry instructor who has studied and lived in Prague.

Materials List

Required:

  • The Sons. Franz Kafka. Schocken Books, 1989. ISBN: 0-805208860
  • Letters to Milena. Franz Kafka. Schocken Books, 1990. ISBN: 978-0-8052-1267-9

First Reading:

  • There is no reading assignment for the first class.

Registration Information

  • Online registration opens at 9 am (CST) on Tuesday, January 7.
  • Phone registration opens at 12 pm (CST) on Wednesday, January 8.

Early registration (E) prices are in effect from January 7 at 9 am through January 24 at 4 pm. Regular registration (R) prices are in effect January 24 at 4 pm through the end of the term.

We offer a 10% discount to members, seniors, and students.

Need Help? Please email seminars@newberry.org.

This seminar is part of the Newberry’s Seminars Program. Learn more about registering for a seminar, program policies and procedures, or teaching a seminar.