Thin, without fever, not cold, not warm, with empty eyes, without a shirt, the young man under the stuffed quilt heaves himself up, hangs around my throat and whispers in my ear, Doctor, let me die.
In Franz Kafka's "A Country Doctor," a young man, described as thin and devoid of vitality, seeks the help of the doctor. His physical appearance is striking—he has an empty gaze and is without a proper shirt, wrapped ineffectively in a quilt. This imagery conveys a sense of desperation and hopelessness.
As he approaches the doctor, the young man’s plea is both haunting and poignant. He clings to the doctor, whispering a stark request to let him die. This moment illustrates the themes of despair and helplessness prevalent in Kafka's work, as well as the unsettling relationship between the doctor and his patients.
