In the passage from Franz Kafka's "Description of a Struggle and Other Stories," the speaker expresses a deep concern about the function of the lungs. They highlight a paradox where rapid breathing leads to suffocation from internal toxins, while slow breathing results in suffocation from the surrounding harmful environment. This illustrates the struggle of finding a balance in breathing, metaphorically representing the struggles humans face in navigating life's complexities.

The speaker's frustration with the lungs' inability to find an optimal breathing rhythm symbolizes a broader existential dilemma. The quest for a personal rhythm can become a source of despair, leading to one's downfall. Kafka captures the essence of human conflict in striving for balance amidst overwhelming pressures, revealing a sense of futility in trying to reconcile the myriad of external and internal challenges.