The Disorganization of the Trial and the Greater Context of Early 20th Century Germany

 Camille Kelleher

Post #3

9/15/13

           

Franz Kafka describes the initial hearings of K.’s trial as confusing and disorganized. The unprofessionalism of this government’s bureaucracy and judicial system makes me wonder if this is even an act of the state’s government. For all I know, it may be an underground organization that has absolutely no political leverage. The dim-witted guards, casual arrest, and vague instructions for the initial inquiry have led this trial to be puzzling for both K. and the readers.

K.’s attempt to find the apartment was based on an inefficient plan that resembles his trial’s procedures. His gamble on finding the right apartment almost led him to abandoning his endeavor until a last moment spur of luck. This organization may just scan through the public until they find an easy target to waste their time on. 

However, through this chaos, there seems to be a common foundation or goal that this organization is based on, “ ‘You’re a house painter?’ ‘No,’ said K., ‘I’m the chief financial officer of a large bank.’ This reply was followed by such hearty laughter from the right-hand party below that K. had to join in” (pg. 44). This group seems to be divided, and one half has a common resentment against the figures of higher class. I think that this scene may be a microcosm for Germany in the early 20^th century. After doing some research, I found a PBS article that summarizes German society before World War I. Indeed there were distinct differences between the classes of citizens and large political movements. This may have influenced Kafka’s narration and his manipulation of K.’s interaction with this organization.