The Three Pillars of Society – Church, State & Family
As previously discussed in class we
find these three institutions in Kafka’s writing. In The Trial Joseph K. encounters each
of these institutions and experiences the contradictions held within each. In
chapter 9, the story of the man and the doorkeeper is a perfect example of how
all three systems set the individual up for failure. The Trial tells a story of a man doomed to fail by the pillar of society.
The Trials of Life & Fate
In
The Trial, Joseph K. is tested as he tries to work with the government and
solve his trial. A reader can take a perspective of K.’s experience as a system
of multiple trials/tests leading up to his judgment. The Trial questions the
idea of having the ability to control the course of one’s life and the final judgment.
Totalitarianism
The
government presented in The Trial is seemingly totalitarianism. It involves a
ruthless government, who is disconnected yet has all power over its people. The
actions are not explained or disputable. Totalitarianism digs into the human
tendency to have ultimate control and belief in one’s own ideologies. We have
seen similar themes in Notes from the Underground. Kafka also provides us a
sense of corruption and suppression with the repetitive use of the smothering air
quality. The Trial takes a look into the struggle of power between the
individual and the government.
Consciousness
In
The Trial, Joseph K. seems to float about society, disconnected and alone.
Throughout the novel we find numerous points where K. is lost in thought and
unsure of what to do in his current situation. At times we have said that Kafka’s
writing style is “dreamlike” and at points it is unclear what is reality and
what is fantasy. Analyzing The Trial uncovers a certain level of consciousness
and its effect on an individual.
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