Lesson 2:   FRANZ KAFKA

READING ASSIGNMENT
The Trial (entire novel)
The Modern Jewish Canon, pp. 66-84

  WHO WAS FRANZ KAFKA?
Of all the writers whom we study, Kafka (1883-1924) seemed to enjoy the most ordinary existence. He was born and buried in Prague, he studied law and held down a steady job in an insurance company, he lived most of his life in his parents' house and had a circle of close friends who were also writers. Yet his diaries record the struggle of an artist who could neither take pleasure from an ordinary existence nor write works that satisfied his idea of excellence. His novels were left unfinished, and his will asked that all his manuscripts be destroyed.

ABOUT THE TRIAL
The Trial, composed in 1914-15, was published posthumously thanks only to the efforts of Kafka's literary executor, Max Brod, who had to order the chapters as he thought the author had intended because Kafka had left them in separate unmarked envelopes. Nonetheless, despite this apparent imperfection, The Trial became one of the most famous novels of the twentieth century.

The confusion around the ordering of the chapters is reflected in the insecurity that governs this work. The missing part of K.'s surname alerts us to the puzzling anonymity of the hero. Apart from his age (thirty) and the encounter with an uncle, we know nothing of his background. He lives in a rooming house, he works in a bank, he regularly visits a call girl-he seems to have no close relations with anyone in his city. What city is it anyhow? When is this taking place? And most of all — of what and by whom does he stand accused?

Since the word "Jew" does not appear in this book, there is no mention ofK's religion or ethnicity, and his only appearance in a house of worship occurs not in a synagogue but in a cathedral, you may well ask whether the novel should be considered "Jewish" at all. Kafka's diaries and letters are filled with reflections about his Jewishness, but if none of these are incorporated into his fiction, in what way can it be considered "Jewish?" You might want to consider this after reading the novel through. Do you think it conveys a meaningful part of the Jewish experience? Certainly, the common use of the term "Kafkaesque" tells us how greatly this author influenced the way people look at the world, or else, how perfectly he registered the anxieties of a great many others besides himself.

QUESTIONS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSION

Although K. thinks clearly and rationally, he cannot figure out why he is under arrest. Does he ever find out, and if not, why is he ready to accompany his executioners?

How soon does the reader realize that events in this book are not altogether subject to the laws of realism? Or if this is all a dream, why doesn't the author say so? Do you think this book reflects reality in spite of its fantastic features?

How does K. go about trying to get out of his predicament? Do you think there is any point at which he could have refused to obey the summons ofthe court?

The legal system of modern democracies is meant to reassure its citizens about the possibility of justice. In what ways does the legal system in this book challenge our normal expectations of law and justice?

What do you think about K's relations with women? What do you think of women's relations with him? Is any blame attached to him or to them in their unsatisfactory interaction?

Of all those whom K. consults about his trial, is anyone helpful? Is the priest helpful? Does the parable of the law help K. gain any understanding of his case?

Do you have any sympathy for K.? Do you think he is guilty or innocent? Of what?