As the novel progresses, we see K. develop more and more as a character. He is starting to become more aware of the severity of the trial and the impact that a guilty verdict can have on his life. Because of this, K. goes to Titorelli’s house, a court painter. This part was very interesting to me. We constantly hear in society that connections can help you a lot in a situation. This is a clear example of this. However, I am wonder how someone that does not have a lot of power, such as a court painter, can influence a judges decision. Also, when he was on the way to Titorelli’s house he saw people outside on the stairs that gave him directions. This is very parallel with the situation at the courthouse and I feel as if Kafka did this on purpose to create this connection.
Personally, I would have become very discouraged after the information that Titorelli gave to K. He made it seem like there is no possible chance of K. being declared completely innocent. The best solution that he gave would make K. have the possibility of getting arrested at anytime, which is in my opinion worse then being engaged in the trial itself. It would make it so he would have to be in multiple trials for the same issue. This is the exact reason why the double jeopardy clause was included in the United State’s Constitution. This law made it so a person can not be put on trial twice for the same crime. If this was the case for K. (it was not because Franz Kafka was not from the United States), then K. would be having a much easier time. He would be able to get the “temporary” acquittal for his crime, which would be an easy escape from the current situation.
Finally, a very minor detail that caught my attention was the fact that K. purchases one of Tiorelli’s paintings as he was leaving the house. H probably does this as a sign of respect but it could also be seen as a bribe. He really didn’t care for the art, as shown by when he just threw it in the drawer when he got back to his house after the trial.
I also notice this aspect in the book. Pretty much, the outcome of K's trial relies on his connections and what they can do for him. Its the reality of society and it is relevant to the world we live in today. I found it strange as well that K's reaction to what Tiorelli said was not all that angry or scared.. He remained calm, which is very typical of K so I'm not sure why i was surprised in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAlthough K. is a predictable character most of the time concerning his reactions, sometimes he does things that I would not have expected. What he did with Tiorelli's art also surprised me, but I found it clever on his part. I never know what his or Kafka's intentions are until I keep reading.