In this excerpt from Franz Kafka's diaries, he reflects on the profound pain of loneliness that he experiences in the afternoon. The intensity of this feeling makes him recognize that the emotional strength he derives from writing is being consumed by his struggle with isolation. This realization indicates that his writing, which is meant to empower him, is instead being drained by his deep sense of solitude.
Kafka's diaries reveal the ongoing inner conflict he faces as he pours his thoughts onto the page. While writing provides him with a sense of strength, the overwhelming nature of his loneliness threatens to undermine this empowerment. This complex relationship between his creative expression and personal anguish is a recurring theme in his work, illustrating the duality of artistry being both a source of strength and a reflection of despair.