The Panoptic Stage: Surveillance, Aspirational Labor, and Burnout in Franz Kafka’s

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ID: 312040
2026
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Abstract
Franz Kafka short story A Hunger Artist is normally being read in existential terms. autobiographical, or even theological views. Based on such positions, the main character. is regarded as a misunderstood character whose fasting action makes him different among people around him. Nevertheless, these readings tend to skip the profound criticism of the story in terms of how suffering turns into a product. To bridge this gap, this study situates the text within the contemporary digital attention economy. Using qualitative textual analysis, the study applies a three-dimensional theoretical framework to deconstruct the artist's performance: Michel Foucault's concept of panoptic surveillance, Brooke Erin Duffy's economic theory of "aspirational labour," and Byung-Chul Han's "burnout society." The analysis follows the protagonist's journey through three different stages: first, how he internalises the disciplinary gaze while being in a cage; second, how the impresario uses the artist's physical labour to gain "vision"; and third, how he dies in the circus. Ultimately, the study argues that Kafka's story accurately predicts the path that contemporary digital creators will take. The study reveals that the artist is an archetype of the "achievement subject" in late modernity. This is a factor that transitions from external discipline to self-exploitation, leading to burnout in a system that easily ignores human suffering in favour of smooth, highly stimulating entertainment.
Reference Key
imported_1776675834_69e5ebfa688d5 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Dr. Ayaz Ul Haq
Journal Social Sciences & Humanity Research Review
Year 2026
DOI
DOI not found
URL
https://sshrr.online/index.php/4/article/view/505
Keywords Keywords not found

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