Josefine, or Living in Discourse

The paper discusses Franz Kafka’s “Josefine, die Sängerin oder Das Volk der Mäuse” (1924) and Roberto Bolaño’s “El policía de las ratas” (2003). Kafka’s short story is discussed in relation to its main character, Josefine, and the theme of the function of art and the social role of the artist. Bolaño’s short story, where Josefine comes back as the aunt of the main character Pepe, is also discussed in relation to that theme. In addition, the paper proposes some remarks on the issue of the afterlife of literary characters.