Franz Kafka: Beim Bau der chinesischen Mauer – worksheet

Discuss the various functions of the Chinese Wall.

Who is the first-person narrator?

What motivates his investigation of this building project?

p. 290 and p. 296: analyse the role of the Nordvölker in the text: what is
known about them?

Analyse the ancient scholar’s comparison of the Chinese Wall with the
Tower of Babel.

Why does this analogy fail to illuminate the purpose of the Chinese Wall?

p. 294: the narrator delegates all authority to the Führerschaft. What is
the relationship of the Führerschaft to the people?

p. 297: compare the narrator’s exploration of the idea of Kaisertum with
the role of the real Emperor.

p. 299-300: Analyse the legend of the imperial message:
o how does the emperor attempt to communicate with his people?
o Who is the intended audience of his message?
o At what point in his life does he communicate the message?
o Analyse the obstacles between the messenger and the recipient.
o How do you interpret the end of this legend:
“Du aber sitzt an Deinem Fenster und erträumst sie Dir wenn der
Abend kommt.”

p. 300-301:Compare and contrast this legend with the real perception of
the Emperor by his people