"A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us"

In this quote, Franz Kafka is suggesting that a book has the power to break through the barriers and limitations that we have developed within ourselves. He compares this to an ax, a tool used to break through ice, indicating that books have the ability to break through the frozen and stagnant parts of our minds. This could mean that books have the power to challenge our beliefs, broaden our perspectives, and spark our creativity. They can work as a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery, breaking down the walls that we have constructed and permitting us to explore the depths of our inner selves.