A Comparison of The Trial and The Metamorphosis

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A Comparison of The Trial and The Metamorphosis

Two of Kafkas' most predominate works, The Trial and The

Metamorphosis, are very similar in many aspects, yet also have unique

differences. Many of these similarities and differences are very obvious,

but also there are subtle comparisons that the reader might not pick up

while reading. One would think, after reading both stories, that the

differences outweigh the similarities, but that is not entirely true. Not

only should the reader view the style of the writing when comparing the two,

but also the setting and plot of the two stories. Both stories relate to

loneliness, frustration and individuals threatened by anonymous forces

beyond comprehension or control.

Although the struggle between these anonymous forces are a lot more

evident in The Metamorphosis, they are also seen throughout The Trial. In

The Metamorphosis, the anonymous force is whatever, or whoever, changed

Gregor Samsa into an insect. In The Trial, the struggle is more complex.

Joseph K struggles to find the true meaning behind his arrest. He searches

for answers related to his case, but no one can give him a clear answer as

to why he was arrested. Not even the inspector that arrested him,

"These gentlemen here and myself have no standing whatever in this affair

of yours, indeed we know hardly anything about it. We might wear the most

official uniforms and your case would not be a penny worse. I can't even

confirm that you are charged with an offense, or rather, I don't know

whether you are." (p 12)

As you can see, K has no luck getting information regarding his case. In

fact, from the time he was first put under arrest to when he was killed, he

never encountered the anonymous force that issued the arrest. The same is

true for The Metamorphosis. Gregor never finds out exactly what turned him

in to an insect, and why. This is the dominate issue in both stories, and a

prime example of similarity in Kafkas' stories.

Another similarity in the two stories is how Kafka used surrealism.

Surrealism in The Metamorphosis is obvious, as Gregor's sudden change into

a bug is quite surreal by itself. In The Trial, there are many subtle

examples. Perhaps the best example is the scene with the whipper.

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