Throughout the first chapter of the novel, Joseph K. is characterized as being a man who doesn't really like to deal with trivial nonsense. He is successful yet a bit conceded. The book has left us with a huge question in why he is in fact guilty.
This question mark has me guessing on why these series of unfortunate events have occurred for K. Waking up on his 30th birthday, K. is arrested for reasons that cannot be spoken about. The people who come into his house are underlings, taking orders from someone else, someone more important. This leaves me with two possible reason for his arrest.
The first being that he has been blackmailed. So far, all we know is that K. is successful and conceded. That leaves many other people who observe K. with a great amount of jealousy toward the man. Also, these 'policemen' are getting orders that have no intent behind them. This leads me to believe that someone is behind the whole scam.
The second being that he, being the arrogant individual that he is, might have ticked off another accomplice in an illegal banking transaction. Although very possible, I think its less likely that this is the case. He seriously has zero idea why this is happening to him. He initially believes that this whole thing is a big prank that his colleagues have set up. Although one possibility, I dont necessarily love it.
As you can tell, the book has me racing to find the possible reasons for the arrest. To me, its safe to say that this book is going to be a solid read.
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ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on the theory that someone has to be behind what is going on as they do not give a plausible reason to why he is being arrested. Just telling someone that they are doing it to obey orders does not fulfill the obligations of a police officer.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that you pointed out which I agree upon is that it was an interesting choice by Kafka to make it so it was Joseph K.'s 30th birthday. In a sense it makes the situation more suspenseful as a one's birthday is supposed to be a happy day. It also helps making the story that his colleagues may have set this up as a prank a lot more believable.
Also, I agree that Joseph K. is an arrogant individual. However, I feel as if the crime they are accusing him of doing is much larger and more destructive than a banking transaction. As you pointed out, if it was an illegal bank transaction that was the cause for him getting arrested, then he would not have thought of it as his colleagues playing a prank on him. Moreover, he would not have been surprised when the police showed up at his house.
Although it is not believable, I have to agree with you on that Kafka has my full undivided attention. By leaving an open ended question it makes it so the reader desperately wants to know what is going on.