When facing bureaucracy or the law system one might feel like one is falling down a rabbit hole, quite like the one Alice
falls down in the classic Lewis Carrol novel. This is the sensation one gets when reading The Trial, by Franz Kafka. This novel, written by the German speaking, Czech novelist acts almost as a prophecy, predicting the confusing and inescapable world ruled by the Bureaucrats.
The novel starts with an unsuspecting Josef K being arrested in his boarding house for an unclear reason. This reason is never revealed throughout the novel which is both frustrating and significant. After he is arrested and encounters a seemingly pointless meeting with an official, Josef K is now plunged into a rabbit hole that goes
deeper and deeper into wonderland-like madness. Many disconnected events follow such as Josef K hiring an advocate who appears to do so much for him yet achieves absolutely nothing. Sound familiar? Josef K also encounters a painter for the court, an usher and a number of others who claim they will help him, however after his meeting with them he never sees them again. These events all seem unnecessary and yet they all point out the hopelessness of trying to fight an impenetrable system.
Near the novels end K. meets with a priest who tells him a
parable about the impossible nature of the law. This parable reflects Josef K.'s plight and the plight of us all in this world of red tape and blocked doorways. K. is unable to gain access to the unknown court and therefore he is unable to beat the court. How can you defeat something that is impossible to access? Eventually K. is executed by the unknown court, not formally however. He is stabbed alone in the dark and dies, alone and pathetic. Although this novel a tough read and can be confusing it is an insightful read about an unjust world. It is as significant today as it was in the time Franz Kafka lived.