Contradictions of the Transmission Theory of Art
the objective of being appreciated by an audience. The theory disregards the simple desire to produce art for the sake of self-expression rather than for commission, praise, or audiences. This generalization made by the theory diminishes its attempt at universality since it discounts the inherent nature and diverse inspirations of some of the world's most celebrated artists. Franz Kafka wrote some of the most influential literature in the world, including The Metamorphosis and The Trial . In the present day, Kafka's works continue to be admired and commended after an entire century since his passing. When Kafka produced his works, he did not expect any recognition from the public. He did not intend for his art to be a subject for any audience 4 . In fact, Kafka did not want his writing published and asked his close friend to destroy the entirety of his work once he died so it would not be read by anyone else. Rather than fulfilling his request, his friend had acquired such an appreciation for Kafka's work that he had all of his essays published. Without the controversial initiative of his friend, Kafka would not currently be recognized as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. The Transmission Theory would claim Kafka's work does not qualify as art because he did not write with the intention of expressing to others, only himself. Though his art lacks intention, it is still art nonetheless. Emily Dickinson shares a similar journey to Kafka's; in her lifetime, she had a small handful of her poems published and died with nearly her entire life's work undiscovered. Her poetry, while one of the most beloved installments of literature, was not made for the public view. After Dickinson's passing, her sister found her work and had it published 5 . Much like Kafka, Dickinson did not intend nor did she expect to have her poetry read by the public 6 . While she passed with this unknowing sentiment, we still acknowledge the power and grandeur of the art she had produced.
4 Elif Batuman, “Kafka’s Last Trial,” The New York Times, September 22, 2010. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/magazine/26kafka-t.html. 5 The Editors, “Emily Dickinson 101,” Poetry Foundation , August 15, 2015. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/70260/emily-dickinson-101. 6 Carroll, “Art and Expression,” 67.
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