Welcome to Das Schloss!

Someone must have been telling lies about you, because one fine morning, you wake up to find yourself in a new village, in a different country, and after remembering your unsettling dreams, you find yourself thinking of modest crow of a man with an enigmatic smile. Welcome to the place that will help you sort out your little mess.

On your left is an endless hallway, on your right is an endless roadway, in front of you is a brick wall. Feel free to pick among the details as you please, everyone else does. But remember, “Das Schloss” means both the Castle and the Lock, and the keys are never quite as simple as they seem.

Note: Das Schloss was founded in 2003 by Jeff Nowak and Allen B. Ruch. It was the last site created by the Modern Word before the funding was cut, and it was never fully completed. Nevertheless, there were a few good pieces created for the site, including a biographical sketch of Kafka and some commentary on his major works. In honor of the 100th anniversary of Kafka’s death, Das Schloss is being restored under the new Modern Word hosted by Shipwreck Library. While the old material is being updated and revised, there are currently no plans to “complete” the site. That would be very un-Kafka-like.

No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was meant only for you
(Introduction)
An introduction to Das Schloss and a few words about its gatekeepers.

The most fortunate and unfortunate of men
(Biography)
The life of Franz Kafka, 1883-1924.

My doubts stand in a circle around every word
(Kafka Works)
Commentary on selected works of Kafka’s fiction and nonfiction. (Coming Soon)

Thus spake Schubal
(Quotations)
Quotations and passages from Kafka’s work, letters, and conversations.

Was he an animal, that music had such an effect upon him?
(Music)
Music inspired by Franz Kaka. (TBD)

The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked
(Offsite Links)
A collection of links to Kafka organizations, Kafka Web sites, and electronic texts. (Coming Soon)

These letters do nothing but cause anguish, and if they don’t cause any anguish it’s even worse
(Contact)
Send email to the Great Quail—comments, suggestions, corrections, criticisms, submissions; all are welcome.