Franz Kafka’s "The Trial" is one of the most read modern philosophical works. And no other book of this type has left as much of an impact on me since Albert Camus’s The Outsider. Coincidentally my copy of the book [1] has a blurb by Camus that claims the story “Offers everything and confirms nothing”, and this is a fair assessment.
This story needs to be considered with the knowledge of Kafka’s life story, and constraints of his time in mind. Unlike in his time, we have better access to information, and standards of living that have improved across the irreconcilable ideological lines. So I find it hard to think the fate of an accused individual in our time would be as dire as that of Josef K, the story's protagonist. But that doesn’t mean Kafka's generous, painfully won advice is not relevant. Here’re my top takeaways from the book.
Warning: Kafka’s life lessons are not applicable to most people. Follow the advice of your parents, and the advice found in your religion as interpreted by qualified elders. |
Kafkaesque is applicable to many different social systems, not just inefficient bureaucracies. Kafkaesque is discussed through the story’s description of the court, and the parable of the official who started throwing advocates down the staircase to prolong the proceedings (p. 95- 97, and 127). It is mentioned in multiple places (including p. 150) that the court and K’s case are not referring to the regular judiciary or cases tried in them. The court and the case is used as an analogy. It can be used to analyze social systems that pass judgment on matters that are of extreme importance like an individuals gender identity; or systems that decide trivial matters like a person's suitability for a referral.
If you’re unfortunate enough to be accused by a Kafkasque court, you have three resolution options (but the third may not be an option for all). Even if you’re innocent you should settle for an apparent acquittal or prolong the proceedings. But these options come with a set of repercussions and rules.
The parable of the country-man and the doorkeeper suggests one of the main rules may be the agreement to play doorkeeper to others (p. 171).
Another important rule may be to understand assignments presented to you on ongoing cases; carrying them out based on your position, and detaching from it once your assignment has run its course (p. 95).
Other rules may be to communicate allusively (p. 153), through symbolism (p. 102) and other covert ways.
Some may show disingenuous enthusiasm to help the accused knowing they can’t be acquitted, and knowing they might end up becoming their slaves. Like when Block became Advocate’s slave (p. 152).
Kafka implies it’s better to be an accused innocent man. As doorkeepers may miss out on something important (p. 172), but the general message is it’s better to appear innocent (Glaucon’s position in Plato’s The Republic).
[1] - Idris Parry translation, Penguin Classic 2015, Indian Sub-Continent Print.
