Kaylee's Third Reaction

The next 20 pages or so of The Trial have left me very confused. The meeting between K. and Fräulein Bürstner was strange because K. waited up for her only to apologize, which he could have done at any other time. This made it seem like K. really wanted to see her, however he noted that he had no desire to see her and he even forgot what she looked like. Despite this statement, K. proceeds to staying with her as long as he can once she arrives, then kisses her passionately when he leaves. What is going on in K.’s mind? Do these two have history? Is Fräulein Bürstner attracted to him? Hopefully their relationship will be further explained as the book proceeds.

The following day K. gets a phone call regarding a small inquiry into his affair that will take place on Sunday. He also is told that these inquiries will take place frequently and that it is in the general interest to bring his trial to a rapid conclusion. I think it is strange how K.’s inquiries are scheduled for Sundays because they don’t want to interfere with his professional life. Usually when an arrest occurs, trials begin right away and progresses when needed, not when it is convenient for the defendant. In addition, the ambiguity of their orders is very unusual. K. doesn’t know what time to attend the meeting, only the place. On his way to the inquiry, K. takes his time to get there because he refuses to “humble himself” before the commission by being overly punctual. This is rather patronizing, he obviously is not taking this seriously yet. Why doesn’t he feel threatened by the legal system? As K. makes his way into the building, it is an apartment building. Why is the commission evaluating him here? The lack of details in regards to the location has K. running all over the building. This is another strange quality of the situation and the process in which the officials are handling the trial. I am curious to see how the actual inquiry unfolds.