I am constantly trying to communicate something incommunicable, to explain something inexplicable, to tell about something I only feel in my bones and which can only be experienced in those bones. Basically it is nothing other than this fear we have so often talked about, but fear spread to everything, fear of the greatest as of the smallest, fear, paralyzing fear of pronouncing a word, although this fear may not only be fear but also a longing for something greater than all that is fearful.
In this excerpt from Franz Kafka's "Letters to Milena," the author expresses his struggle to convey deep, complex feelings that are inherently difficult to articulate. He grapples with the idea of fear, suggesting that it permeates every aspect of life, ranging from significant concerns to minor anxieties. This fear is so profound that it paralyzes the act of communication, making it challenging to articulate his inner experiences and emotions.
Moreover, Kafka hints at a duality in fear—it is not solely a negative force but also a yearning for something transcendent. This longing coexists with his fears, suggesting that beneath the surface of anxiety lies a desire for meaning and understanding, which he feels deeply but cannot fully express. His exploration of these themes highlights the complexity of human emotions and the difficulties of conveying our innermost truths.
