Kaylee's Chapter 8 Reaction

The eighth chapter of The Trial gives us insight on a man named Block and how his trial is progressing after five years. Block represents what K. would possibly become within the next few years following his conviction. Block used to be a well-respected tradesman (much like K., a respected banker) whose life is now devoted to his trial. Block is “dried up” and a slave to the legal system.  It seems at this point that punishment, whether you are actually guilty or not, begins the minute after you are convicted. Not only does the trial suck all the life out of Block, but also converts him into Huld’s personal pet. K I found it very strange how the lawyer has the control over the defendant, while in other systems the lawyer works underneath its client. In addition, since when can you have more than one lawyer? I think it could be a good idea for K. to dismiss Huld because by the looks of it he hasn’t helped Block all that much and since he is bedridden he isn’t performing at his fullest potential. However, K. must find a way to handle the situation resisting subjugation. As a reader, it is hard to find any hope in K.’s situation because throughout the course of the story, little progress has been made.

            As The Trial continues there is a reoccurring theme of the struggle for control. In the book, there is a constant tug-of-war between the legal system and K. as he tries to live a normal life after being convicted. In the grand scheme of things, the legal system is the ideology of government, while K. represents its citizens. Each and every government serves to control its people. However, sometimes this level of control can be not only degrading, but also suffocating. The air quality that is mentioned multiple times reveals the ill will of the government. The lack of order makes the process even worse because you never know what to expect.

            Although it is hard to untangle Kafka’s writing style and enter his thoughts, based on what we have read I believe that the K.’s story is about the everyday trials that a person encounters in his or her life and the struggle over the ability to control the course they take. In life there is always some institution trying to block the path towards our personal accomplishment. Kafka’s taps into this idea while focusing in on the people we come across and the legal system we are governed by.