How did tuberculosis shape Franz Kafka’s later life?

Tuberculosis significantly altered the trajectory of Franz Kafka’s later life, forcing him to transition away from his professional career and toward a life defined by his illness and final creative efforts.1

Following his 1917 diagnosis, Kafka was compelled to take intermittent sick leaves from his position at the Workers’ Accident Insurance Institute, eventually leading to his retirement with a pension in 1922. The disease necessitated frequent stays in sanatoriums, which became a recurring feature of his existence during his final years.1

Despite his declining health, Kafka attempted to dedicate himself fully to writing in his last period. In 1923, he moved to Berlin to focus on his craft, and during this time, he produced a series of fables centered on the individual's struggle for security and understanding. However, his condition deteriorated significantly in the spring of 1924, and he ultimately died of the disease in a clinic near Vienna later that year.12