Kafka's Letters to Milena

Letters from Kafka to Milena

Franz Kafka, one of the world’s most renowned writers, compiled a collection of letters addressed to Milena Jesenská between 1920 and 1923. The first edition was published in 1986. Notably, the book consists of a single volume with approximately three hundred pages.^[1]

Kafka’s Love Letters to Milena

Kafka’s deep affection for Milena is the central theme of the book, evident throughout most of the letters as follows:^[2]

• "Yet it’s possible my words have disturbed you (how could fools like us express what lies in our hearts)? I cannot bear losing moments of quietude when I read your words," dated April 1920.
• "I would love to receive a letter from you in Czech, for Czech is you—within Czech words, I find Milena," dated late April 1920.
• "I spent my day writing a story, the purpose being to stay connected with you," dated May 1920.
• "Your letters dispel uncertainty; I see you more clearly now, your body moving swiftly, your hands dancing so fast that whenever I try to gaze at your face midway through your letter, flames suddenly burst forth and your face vanishes before me—leaving only fire," dated May 1920.
• "Dear Madam Milena, days are terribly short; between thoughts of you and a few insignificant matters, the day ends, leaving little time to write to the real Milena. Though you remain with me all day, in the room, on the balcony, even among the clouds," dated 29 May 1920.
• "It delights me to receive your letters, and I reply with my sleeping mind—I can’t think of anything else to write. I wander through your lines, beneath the bright light of your eyes and the breath flowing from your lips, as if a beautiful day brings joy into my life, even when I am exhausted," dated 1 June 1920.
• "You were here, just as I was—you exist more vividly than I do. This isn’t jest; sometimes I glimpse your shadow," dated 4 June 1920.
• "Your letter arrived, and with it came joy," dated 5 June 1920.
• "At this moment, what I wish to say to you is: (I haven’t had time to read your letters yet—I’ve been circling them like insects around a flame, burning my head several times)," dated 10 June 1920.
• "I must confess, I feel uneasy until I’ve read your letters—they seem obligatory, almost mandatory. I’ve even read them three or four times consecutively, yet still struggle to express myself," dated 12 June 1920.
• "I search for you within your letters, among the words filled with laughter, searching and searching, yet remain unsettled," dated 13 June 1920.
• "I dreamed of you—you were merely a bluish white glow, shining like a spirit. Your hands were open, but not wide, not as if writhing, but rather as though welcoming me," dated 14 June 1920.
• "I felt something when I read words on someone’s door, similar to: (My beloved, like a flame, lights up the earth, drawing me toward her—but she does not attract those who shrink inward, only those capable of seeing)," dated 15 June 1920.
• "Last night I wrote to you until midnight, and you accompanied me in my thoughts," dated 23 June 1920.
• "Where in the world can I find the patience I need, Milena? On Tuesday? (The date of Kafka’s meeting with Milena in Vienna)," dated 25 June 1920.
• "Today, Milena, Milena, Milena—I cannot write anything today, yet I will. I’ll write to you today, weary, exhausted, distracted," dated 4 July 1920.
• "I’ll number these letters so they don’t get lost on their way to you, just as I got lost on my path through the garden toward you," dated 4 July 1920.
• "When Max arrived at nine in the evening, we strolled until half past twelve at night. Can you believe he didn’t realize I was writing to you? It was you, you, you—and I meant you, my dear Milena, you’re one of my little lies," dated 5 July 1920.
• "I haven’t received a letter from you yet. I know it’s too early, but please explain this to my heart," dated 7 July 1920.

Kafka’s Longing for Life in His Letters to Milena

The following excerpts reflect Kafka’s yearning for life as expressed in his letters to Milena:^[3]

• "How beautiful the ruins of the mountains are here—everywhere. Seeing them fills one with awe; lying in bed, instead of sleeping, brilliant thoughts flow into the mind," dated 11 June 1920.
• "I feel happy, free, and noticeably improved," dated 29 July 1920.
• "I considered celebrating your birthday by visiting every place that matters to you," dated 10 August 1920.
• "For several days now, I’ve resumed training for military service—or more accurately, maneuvers—which seems to be the best thing I’m doing right now," dated 26 August 1920.
• "What you represent to me, Milena, surpasses the world we live in—a reality beyond what any letter or written word can convey," dated November 1920.
• "My eyesight is improving; I managed to chop wood for an entire hour or more without tiring, and I felt truly joyful during that time," dated September 1922.
• "It felt like a dream, as if someone convinced they’d never leave their bed again. By late September, I traveled to Berlin,” dated late November 1923.

Kafka’s Relationship with Writing in His Letters to Milena

Writing for Kafka was a fluctuating force—sometimes empowering, other times deeply draining, as seen in the following passages:^[4][5]

• "I spent my day writing a story, the aim being to maintain contact with you," dated May 1920.
• "The ease of writing letters has brought ruin to souls. Letter-writing is but fleeting moments of spectral encounters—gentle evocations of the recipient and the sender, materializing in words. Sometimes, across a series of letters, they subtly intertwine within the text, becoming witnesses to what is written," dated late March 1922.
• "Writing and thinking now weigh heavily upon me. When I want to write, my hands move across the page, leaving it blank," dated January–February 1923.
• "Everything demands effort from me—the slightest stroke of the pen, each word I write feels immensely significant compared to my own strength. The next postcard from Berlin—Steglichitz."

Kafka’s Letters to Milena on Suffering, Loneliness, and Misery

Suffering was Kafka’s constant companion, from childhood through his final years, as reflected in the following excerpts:^[4]

• "I am spiritually ill, and lung illness is merely an extension of my inner sickness. I’ve been spiritually unwell for four or five years since my first and second engagements. My three engagements have ended, confirming my failure. I caused unhappiness for my first fiancée twice, and undoubtedly did so for the second," dated 31 May 1920.
• "Don’t ask me for loyalty, Milena—no one demands it from me more than I do myself. I’ve lost many things, perhaps everything," dated 3 June 1920.
• "One must recognize the difference between jest and seriousness. When the moment arrives that someone important to you—someone you believe your life depends on—has acted, it’s not easy at all. It’s as if you peer through a telescope, hoping to catch some of their flaws. In this state, I wish you to know I am not strong," dated 21 June 1920.
• "I wish I could change many things, especially wanting to escape my daily job," dated 6 July 1920.
• "Everything in life disgusts me. I thought I couldn’t endure living, nor could I tolerate the people around me. I was often ashamed of myself," dated 13 July 1920.
• "I don’t strive to alter facts—I consider myself a stranger. Can a rational person understand that?" dated 31 July 1920.

Kafka’s Letters to Milena on the Conflict Between Jews and Christians

The tension between Jewish and Christian communities was not absent from the letters, appearing in the following instances:^[6]

• "My elder sister is about to marry a Christian Czech. He previously spoke to one of your relatives about marrying a Jew, and she replied: (Anything but this—we don’t mix with Jews)," dated 30 May 1920.
• "What terrifies me is the constant conflict between Jews and Christians, as if they were fierce animals eager to destroy each other. I cannot comprehend how an entire people could follow such rituals of killing," dated 20 June 1920.
• "Yesterday, I heard someone shout at a group of Jews: (a flock of vultures)," dated mid-November 1920.

Kafka’s Letters to Milena on Illness

The following excerpts focus on Kafka’s condition and health struggles as shared with Milena:^[3]

• "My illness began three years ago, when I experienced bleeding in the middle of the night. I remember the maid arriving in the morning, her eyes falling on the blood, saying: (Oh sir, I don’t think you’ll live long)," dated April 1920.
• "I’ve suffered increasing insomnia for the past fourteen days," dated April–May 1920.
• "My sleep continues to worsen day by day," dated May 1920.
• "Although I cough severely for about fifteen minutes each day—this period intensifies at night—I suspect the cause is still my adjustment to the air of Prague," dated 10 June 1920.
• "I feel significantly better than I did in Mira. Lung ailments are less severe now, even in hot summer weather. How things will fare in autumn remains to be seen," dated 19 July 1920.
• "I visited the doctor yesterday. Contrary to my expectations, he doesn’t believe I’m improving," dated 31 August 1920.
• "Now, leaving for a sanatorium is unavoidable. My cough and the heaviness in my chest compel me to do so," dated 22 October 1920.
• "I fear traveling—my cough is extremely high, as it was last night. I woke around midnight due to coughing that lasted until one o’clock," dated 27 October 1920.

References

1. ↑ "Letters to Milena", Abjad. Adapted.
2. ↑ Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena, pages 35–337. Adapted.
3. ^ ^{A B} Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena, pages 35–337. Adapted.
4. ^ ^{A B} Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena, pages 35–337. Adapted.
5. ↑ "Letters to Milena", Google Reads.
6. ↑ Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena, pages 35–337. Adapted.