It is arguable that Franz Kafka should be considered an Expressionist, but he does share elements of style and goal that can, in the least, closely him to many of the Expressionist artists and writers. One of the most obvious similarities is his search for a new style, a new way to express his ideas and theories. Kafka chooses a relatively abstract method to relate his stories to an audience, just as was the main occurrence among the Expressionist artists that were of his time. In The Imperial Law Kafka's abstract portrayal of the law and what has control over a being is similar in goal as many Expressionist works. The gate that blocks the goal of the countryman perhaps symbolizes the goal of the Expressionist ideal to return to nature, and the evil (confining) qualities that the law and advanced developments place upon humanity. The countryman wishes to take the path in, to discover (one speculation) a certain truth or justice. The fact that he is unable to make his was unavoidably results in a somewhat negative view towards the law for the reader. Disregarding many non-related elements of this short parable, it is possible to view this aspect of it as a statement of nature's path and the obstruction of truth and virtue places upon it by the city and its controlling powers.

In the black and white print The Gate by Schmidt-Rottluff many similarities can be found in relation to Kafka's parable. It appears that the common people are drawn to the gate introducing a new type of lifestyle and meaning. But what we see behind the gate are the buildings and modernizations of a city. The same glowing light that was mentioned in Kafka's piece is repeated in the print in the form of a shining sun that was a characteristic of Expressionist painting and printing.

My piece is again about humanity's path and what might save humanity. As people walk over the bridge from the old to the new, what is in front of them is a crowded city. The necessity for moving to the city was unavoidable for many country dwellers, in hopes that the industrial life would allow them to survive (thus the lifetubes). But the life preservers aren't all they seem to be, just as many discover about the compact lifestyle of the industrial city.

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