Franz Kafka’s writings profoundly impacted existential literature through themes of alienation, absurdity, and bureaucracy. His unique narrative style, characterized by a blend of surrealism and stark realism, explores the struggles of individuals against greater societal and existential forces. Works like "The Metamorphosis" highlight the struggle of identity and the nature of reality. Kafka’s exploration of the human condition has influenced countless writers and philosophers, making him a pivotal figure in the 20th-century literary landscape.