On the day after his thirtieth birthday, Josef K, a bank teller, is
arrested by two mysterious agents of an unspecified organization.
Confused and shocked, Josef inquires about the crime he is being accused
of, but the agents will not answer, leaving Josef to decide what he
feels most guilty for. Though he is not imprisoned, Josef is told to
await further instructions. Tortured by the unknown, Josef returns to
his home and tries to guess what he could be charged for. His landlady,
Frau Grubach, feels amicably about Josef despite the arrest and wishes
to help. She speculates that he is likely being punished for his
promiscuous behavior involving one of his neighbors. Josef is unable to
confirm this, but he does go to his neighbor, Fraulien, for comfort.
While she does accept his affection and kiss at first, Fraulien later
rejects Josef's advances. When he returns home, he is given unclear
instructions for his court appearance. With an address, but not a
specific report time, Josef arrives late to his trial, angering the
assembly. When Josef vents his frustrations about the absurdity of the
trial, he upsets the court even more. Still unclear on the charges he
faces and the possible punishment, Josef feels the weight of guilt and
the immeasurable high stakes as the trial proceeds. While he is thrown
in a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty, Josef pleas his innocence as he
still investigates what crime he is being tried for.
Through brilliant symbolism and excellent characterization, The Trial by
Franz Kafka is an intelligent and intriguing perspective on the
innerworkings of the justice system, told from the point of view of the
guilty or accused. Published posthumously in 1925, The Trial has
become one of Franz Kafka's most popular works, and has been adapted for
film, radio, and theater. With several interpretations and possible
meanings, Franz Kafka's The Trial provides a thrilling and
thought-provoking reading experience for contemporary audiences.
This edition of The Trial by Franz Kafka is accessible for modern
readers with features such as its new, striking cover design and the
stylish, readable font it is printed in.
