Comparing Terror in Franz Kafka's The Trial and The Man Who Disappeared

Nature of Terror in Franz Kafka's The Trial and The Man Who Disappeared

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (Roosevelt 93). In Franz Kafka's The Trial and The Man Who Disappeared (Amerika), the nature of terror is exposed to the fullest extent. The main characters in both works, Josef K. and Karl Rossmann are both used as pawns in the chess game also known as society. The dramatic impact from the major turn of events would create a tremendous change in both characters. Josef K., who was arrested for no apparent reason would have his life totally dominated by the judicial system. The road that Josef K. is forced to journey on became a one-way street and he was never able to turn back. Karl Rossmann, who was also used as a scapegoat, was sent off to America for something that was not his fault. Because he was new to the country, people immediately took advantage of him and treated him as an outcast of society. The so-called "American Dream" that Karl often heard about became only an illusion. The terrifying situations that Josef K. and Karl have to go through brought the best and worse of the characters but most often weaknesses and flaws in the character are exposed. The nature of terror is based on reactions from human instinct and often cannot be controlled by mind or thought.

Fear is a part of our being that exists in our mind. "It was fear that first made gods in the world" (Statius 94). No matter what Josef K. tried to do, the fate of his case had already been decided. The judicial system had taken a chokehold on Josef K. and he was never able to get out of it. Josef K. tried his best to fight off the case because that was what his instincts inclined him to do. However, to no avail, Josef K. is killed at the end. The arrest under no accusation caused Josef K. to fight back in anyway he could because the thought of being defeated and put away for no reason was an act of injustice. "Judgement does not come suddenly; the proceedings gradually merge into the judgement" (164). Unfortunately, the final judgement is death, the dead end of the one-way street. For Karl Rossmann, going to America was a big change. He had to adapt to the new way of life and be accepted by others and that unfortunately did not happen.