The Trial, Franz Kafka

Historical and Cultural Context

Born in 1883 in Prague, Franz Kafka was part of a German-speaking Jewish family, a background that inherently placed him at the crossroads of cultures. His daily work as an insurance officer exposed him to the labyrinthine world of bureaucracy, a theme he vividly depicted in his works. Kafka's own personal life, filled with family struggles and a constant negotiation with authority, gave depth to his narratives.

Prague, the capital of Bohemia and a pivotal part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was a vibrant melting pot of cultures during Kafka's time. The city experienced constant tension between its German-speaking minority, to which Kafka belonged, and the Czech-speaking majority. This gave Kafka a unique perspective; he was often caught in a cultural tug-of-war, negotiating between his Jewish heritage, German education, and the prevailing Czech ethos.

The early 20th century was a period of immense change in Europe. With events like World War I and the emergence of sprawling bureaucracies, the continent grappled with rapid urbanisation and profound societal shifts. Literature and art of this period began to explore existentialism and absurdism, reflecting the tumultuous spirit of the times and the quest for meaning in an increasingly complex world.

In The Trial, Kafka goes deep into the psyche of an individual confronting an impersonal and mystifying system. The novel resonates with themes of alienation, the omnipresence of unexplained guilt, and the daunting quest for purpose. Through its pages, Kafka paints a haunting portrait of modern society and the often futile search for justice and understanding within its convoluted structures.

Questions

1. Where was Franz Kafka born?

A. Berlin

B. Vienna

C. Prague

D. Budapest

2. What was Kafka's profession besides being a writer?

A. Teacher

B. Artist

C. Insurance officer

D. Lawyer

3. During Franz Kafka's lifetime (1883-1924), Prague was a significant city within which empire?

A. Roman Empire

B. Ottoman Empire

C. British Empire

D. Austro-Hungarian Empire

4. What major event in the early 20th century greatly influenced Europe's cultural and societal landscape?

A. World War I

B. The Renaissance

C. The French Revolution

D. The Industrial Revolution

Discussion

What is Kafkaesque? Describe a situation or event from your life that felt Kafkaesque.

"Kafkaesque" often refers to situations that are surreal, bizarre, or characterised by overwhelming or pointless bureaucracy.

Read the following examples of Kafkaesque situations and events. 

• Lost in Translation:

  • Foreign tourist visits Tokyo for the first time.

  • Tries to ask for directions using a translation app.

  • The app mistranslates, leading him to a government building.

  • Officials, assuming he has an appointment, lead him through countless hallways.

  • Ends up in a waiting room, given a number. No one speaks English.

  • Hours later, realised it was a mistake and he's in the wrong place.

• Endless Forms:

  • Person wants to open a small café in Kyoto.

  • Is given a form to fill out. Upon completion, is handed another form.

  • Each form leads to another, never seeming to end.

  • Gets referred to different offices in different parts of the city.

  • Months later, discovers the initial form was unnecessary.

• Vending Machine Maze:

  • Person buys a drink from a vending machine in Osaka.

  • Machine prints out a ticket instead of dispensing a drink.

  • Ticket points to another vending machine several streets away.

  • Each machine gives a ticket pointing to another.

  • Eventually leads back to the first machine, which finally dispenses the drink.

• Train Loop:

  • Commuter in Japan misreads the train schedule.

  • Ends up on a train that only goes in circles around a remote suburb.

  • Every time she asks for help, is told to simply stay on the train.

  • Hours later, realises that the train has multiple identical carriages and she needs to switch carriages to exit the loop.

Further reading

1. Flores, Angel, ed. The Kafka Debate: New Perspectives for Our Time. Gordian Press, 1977. This book offers various viewpoints and discussions on Kafka's work, shedding light on contemporary perspectives.

2. Gray, Ronald, ed. Kafka: A Collection of Critical Essays. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1962. Ronald Gray compiles an array of critical essays that explore the nuances and intricacies of Kafka's writings.

3. Hughes, Kenneth, ed. and trans. Franz Kafka: An Anthology of Marxist Criticism. University Press of New England, 1981. Hughes presents a Marxist perspective on Kafka's work, providing translations and analyses that interpret Kafka through the lens of Marxist theory.

4. Kafka, Franz. The Trial. Trans. Willa and Edwin Muir; revised, and with additional material trans. E.M. Butler. Schocken Books, 1995. Kafka's The Trial is a novel that explores the absurdities and terrors of bureaucracy, presented in this edition with translations by the Muirs and E.M. Butler.

5. Pawel, Ernst. The Nightmare of Reason: A Life of Franz Kafka. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1984. Pawel offers a detailed biography of Franz Kafka, illustrating the complexities of his life and the influences on his literary works.

6. Wagenbach, Klaus. Franz Kafka: Pictures of a Life. Trans. Arthur S. Wensinger. Pantheon Books, 1984. Wagenbach's book provides a visual and biographical journey through Kafka's life, enriched by translations from Arthur S. Wensinger.