Why did so few people understand the humor in Kafka's work?

The primary impression for most people in Kafka's work is the oppressiveness of the environs and the events that unfold. The writing is often described as claustrophobic and a sense of hopelessness pervades all. read more

That's why writers/heavy-readers find him so funny. They actually HAVE written a million "witty self descriptions" over the years and can summon up an averaged, platonic model of what a "witty self-description on the Internet" IS, without ever consciously having to think about the details of it. read more

Let me offer a dissenting view: The guilt and punishment in Kafka's writing are so pervasive because they are often that way in contemporary life. Kafka understood this, just as he understood that none of us, regardless of intentions, are ever wholly innocent. read more

I personally laughed out loud several times while reading Kafka's Amerika. read more