East/ West Political Allegories: Franz Kafka’s “A Hunger Artist” and Ye Si’s “Transcendence and the Fax Machine”

Abstract

The world is witnessing the devastating consequences of historical injustices, misinformation, and the erosion of democratic institutions. As we navigate through a complex sociopolitical landscape, it becomes essential to recognize the power of allegory in reflecting upon and critiquing our society. One such allegory is Franz Kafka's short story "A Hunger Artist." This story is the perfect shidduch between themes of alienation, modernism, psychology, philosophy, and politics. The authoritarian and repressive nature of the Chinese communist government is the focus of the allegory “Transcendence and the Fax Machine,” by Leung Ping-Kwon, who writes under the pen name Ye Si. In this essay, we will delve into the multidimensional aspects of Kafka's and Si’s work. By placing the stories into a contemporary context of Florida and Hong Kong, we will uncover the inherent societal critique embedded within Kafka's and Si’s narratives.