CAT 2016 Verbal and Reading Comprehension

The following question consists of a paragraph which is followed by four options. Among the given options, choose the one which captures the essence of the paragraph accurately and clearly Type in that option as the answer in the space provided below the question.

The century since Franz Kafka was born has been marked by the idea of "modernism"—self-consciousness new among centuries, a consciousness of being new. Sixty years after his death, Kafka epitomizes one aspect of this modern mind-set: a sensation of anxiety and shame whose center cannot be located and therefore cannot be placated; a sense of an infinite difficulty within things, impeding every step; a sensitivity acute beyond usefulness, as if the nervous system, flayed of its old hide of social usage and religious belief, must record every touch as pain. In Kafka’s peculiar and highly original case this dreadful quality is mixed with immense tenderness, oddly good humor, and a certain severe and reassuring formality. The combination makes him an artist; but rarely can an artist have struggled against greater inner resistance and more sincere diffidence as to the worth of his art.