Kaylee's Outline #2

I. Introduction

A. Thesis:

In Franz Kafka’s The Trial, Joseph K.’s trial and the events that follow his conviction take him on a path to his final judgment. Through K.’s experience Kafka challenges the notion of destiny and an individual’s ability to alter their course of action. 

B. Brief introduction to story.

II. Body 1

A.   What is destiny and what threats this concept?

1.   The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future, “map” of life

2.   Free will

B.   K.’s life before and after accusation

1.   K.’s perspective on new situation

2.   His belief in his ability to prove himself innocent

III. Body 2

A.   Examples from the novel leading up to his judgment.

(Law office episodes, meeting with lawyer, the cathedral etc.)

B.   How they alter K.’s attitude regarding his trial

1.   Discourage, encourage, denial, search for other outlets

2.   Slowly weakening his mental drive

IV. Body 3

A. The story of “The Law”

1. What it means of society, legal system, religious system & K. himself

2. Interpretations vs. K.’s (and what does this say about him)

3. Does this effect K.'s

B. K.’s final moments and the significance behind his refusal of suicide

    1. Why did he choose this course of action?

    2. Did he win or lose?

V. Conclusion

A. Were the answers to these “trials” that K. endured pre established or could he possibly changed his fate if he reacted differently?

(Judicial systems inactivity

B. K’s fate in parallelism to the Court’s decision– both predetermined. Inescapable destiny, but the individual’s choice to accept or deny.