Ryan's Chapter 7 Reaction

               Fortunately, the plot of The Trial shifts its focus mostly onto K.’s actual trial and some steps are taken to further K.’s current predicament. In the last section, as well as the beginning of this one, K. wonders whether he actually needs a lawyer, to which I thought a lawyer was unnecessary, and he decides it would be better to just defend himself. However, Huld says lawyers are good because of their personal relationships with judges, but not the top judges. Huld’s insight proves the corruption that exists in this society, since a citizen hires a lawyer with the intention of their lawyer swaying the opinion of the judge due to a friendship. Furthermore, Huld’s remarks gives a slight glimmer of hope that the society is not completely corrupted, because there is a separation between lawyers and the top judges. Huld advises for K. to let him handle it, even thought only baby steps are being made.

            I think this chapter highlights K.’s inability to get things done, he is presented with opportunities to fix things in his life and get himself out of trouble but despite stating the problems, he does nothing to remedy them. For example, K. states he should get rid of his lawyer and write his own defense, upon deciding to do so, he suddenly cannot muster the energy to sit down and write his defense. Furthermore, in his job at the bank, K. knows the vice president of the bank acts in a rather subordinate manner. For example, the vice president whisks away K.’s clients at a moment’s notice and interrupts K.’s meetings. However, K. has yet to call out the vice president on his wrongdoings, allowing the injustices to continue, much like in his own court case. Also, several times through the novel, other people do things for K. while K. sort of stands by and does not oppose. For example, in this chapter, the painter basically forces K. to buy his paintings and K. does not object, he simply buys the paintings then throws them in a drawer.

            There have been several recurring images and atmospheres throughout The Trial that are worth nothing. For example, on two separate occasions when talking to people with the intention of helping his trial, the air in the room suddenly becomes oppressive and dense. The first time was when K. was in the court offices and another time in this chapter while talking to the painter. Another recurring image is portraits of lawyers that K. sees in his lawyer’s office and then meets the painter who has them in his own office.