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I think it's strange that most people read this book as a condemnation of the legal system, or a negative utopia. While both of these styles are g... (show more)
I think it's strange that most people read this book as a condemnation of the legal system, or a negative utopia. While both of these styles are good and interesting, I feel that Kafka's "Trial" is about so much more.
When reading the tale of Joseph K. and his experiences, one believes that the K. might stand for Kafka. Many things about Joseph's life mirror Franz's, from the boring beaurocratic job to the general malaise to the very end. It's almost as if Kafka extracted many of the negative aspects of his own personality and made them real in Joseph. Joseph is pompous, self-important, uncharitable, sexist, opportunistic, and a rather nasty person. Is this not enough to be on trial for in a higher court? After all, pride is the deadliest of sins.
When first confronted with his arrest, Joseph immediately attempts to make his warders feel like dirt, and (despite his own sneaking suspicion that he may, in fact, have done something worth arrest) he points the fingers at everyone around him to blame. The Court is corrupt, he reasons. His big plans to prove his innocence usually amount to sex with desperate women and posturing - even at the expense of speaking with his lawyer or the Chief Clerk of the Court. I think it's pretty clear that Joseph is on trial legitimately, and he himself knows it by his actions.
There are many supernatural aspects of "The Court," namely the surreal whipping scene, the numerous people in Joseph's life who relate to and hear about the Court, the hot and claustrophobic nature of the Court's offices, the way simply being in contact with the Court seems to drain life and hope from Joseph. Many of the Court's officials become used to the arid situations that they find themselves in, so much so that contact with the outside air seems to sicken them.
Throughout the story, there are references to the great lawyers, to the high judges. Joseph never encounters them, and the corruption that runs rampant throughout the lower courts prohibits this. Though there is promise of justice, according to Titorelli the painter, it will not come in this life. It seems to me that Kafka is condemning the organized religions, or the hands of the higher power that we come in contact with here in our world.
The only member of the court that Joseph encounters who is remotely helpful is the mysterious priest/chaplain. He himself yells, when confronted with Joseph's ceasless posturing, "Can't you see one pace before you?" The priest attempts to be frank, but is only met with more protestations and finger-pointing. He attempts to rebuff Joseph in his actions towards the women, which falls on deaf ears. Finally, he tells the parable of the country man and the doorkeeper. One interesting idea in this opaque but refreshing story is to replace the word "Law" with the word "God." Often, especially in the Old Testament (Kafka was Jewish, but not practicing), "The Law" referred to God.
It is unclear whether Kafka intended more chapters between Joseph's visit to the priest and the final chapter. Perhaps it was the priest's parable, perhaps some unknown events transpired in between, but somehow, one year from his birthday, Joseph finally gives in. One thing that I found significant here was his brief encounter with the policeman. This only served to emphasize that "The Court" was not a court of man - in fact, he even had a quick thought that the State would be able to help him. At that point, he ran. Whether he had resigned himself to his justly deserved fate or accepted that in postponing a sentence he merely lost what remained of himself, we will never know.
I guess I'm trying to say that while Kafka has certainly written a disturbing tale of claustrophobia and alienation, I'm not sure that the whole scope of it could be defined as a negative utopia. I feel that Kafka was also wrestling with himself, and as such, all of humanity. He was himself wondering if the petty common sins of everyday life were really better than the more obvious ones punishable by man's law. He was wondering at man's fate, and at his own. I'm glad that I read this, and found it intriguing, fast-paced, if occasionally obtuse. I often felt the same suffocation that Joseph experienced, but that only serves to prove that this book is extremely well-written, even in translation. My only wish is that somewhere, someone will find a complete, author-edited copy. :) (show less)
