Ein Landarzt: Kleine Erzählungen

A collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The work explores various themes and human experiences through the lens of Kafka’s unique, often surreal, narrative style. Central to the opening story is the character of a rural doctor who faces absurd and nightmarish challenges in his profession, grappling with feelings of inadequacy and isolation. The opening of the collection introduces us to the protagonist, a land doctor, who is confronted with an urgent call to attend to a gravely ill patient in a distant village during a fierce snowstorm. However, he finds himself without a horse, relying on a stableman who suddenly appears to help him. There is an unsettling moment when the doctor is forced to give up his maid, Rosa, to the stableman in exchange for his assistance. This situation spirals into a series of chaotic events that reflect the doctor’s deep frustration and existential dread, ultimately leading to a profound sense of helplessness regarding his role as a healer and his relationships, setting the tone for Kafka's examination of human vulnerability and despair throughout the collection.