Kafka's Pension from Worker's Accident Insurance

Franz Kafka, a prominent writer, faced significant health challenges during his life, particularly due to tuberculosis, which he was diagnosed with in 1917. This diagnosis had a profound impact on his ability to work, both at the Worker's Accident Insurance Institute and in his literary pursuits. Initially, Kafka's role at the insurance institute was deemed essential, allowing him to defer military service during World War I. However, as his health deteriorated, he was unable to continue his employment. The Worker's Accident Insurance Institute recognized his condition and subsequently placed him on a pension. This pension was a crucial support for Kafka, as it provided him with some financial stability while he struggled with his illness and continued to write, albeit with increasing difficulty. Kafka's experience with tuberculosis not only affected his professional life but also influenced the themes and tones of his literary works, which often explore existential anxiety and the human condition. The pension from the insurance institute thus played a vital role in allowing Kafka to focus on his writing during a tumultuous period marked by health issues and societal upheaval.