Ryan Outline #2

Thesis

Although the women of The Trial, by Franz Kafka, are primarily secondary characters, as a whole they reveal a great deal of both Josef K. himself, the society of the time, and further critique the court systems

Body Paragraph #1àAs K. takes step to move his trial forward, he usually meets a new woman in every chapter; the interactions between K. and the several women reveal K.’s superiority complex and overbearing presence.

• ·      Discuss the various women he meets and their relationships, both casual and romantic
• ·      K. often feels possessive after brief encounter with the women
• ·      K. wants to appear powerful in presence of men and women
• ·      K. is easily distracted from his trial by women

Body Paragraph #2àMore than just revealing K.’s characteristics, the women of The Trial also depict the status of women in this society and the role they play, more specifically a low status in society as well as a degrading role.

• ·      Women’s only function is usually sexual
• ·      Don't hold high office in society
• o   Highest position is landlord
• ·      Easily taken advantage of
• o   Washerwoman’s home is taken over

Body Paragraph #3àThe entire novel is a critique of judicial systems in general and Kafka goes so far as to critique the court system of this society by having the court systems represented by women who have an explicitly low status in society.

• ·      Most women are connected to the court system
• ·      Women have low status and since are connected to court system, court system has low status
• o   Critique by Kafka
• ·      As K. is led to death sees woman in distance, associating women with court system and executions

ConclusionàKafka uses the women of The Trial as a vehicle to reveal more about the main foundations of the novel, K., the court system, and the society in general.