The Illusion of Freedom

          The story of K.’s revolution begins with his arrest. A guard addresses K. by saying, “‘[...] I know only the lowest level, doesn’t seek out guilt among the general population, but, as the Law states, is attracted by the guilt and has to send us guards out. That’s the Law’”(Kafka 9).  This passage is an early example of a recurring theme in the novel. Characters are constantly seen acting according to the law, instead of acting out of reason. The lower-level guards responsible for K.’s arrest feel comforted by their proximity to the law, and the power it gives them. However, when questioned about the reasoning behind their actions, they cannot answer with any certainty. Despite K.’s background as a distinguished gentleman, he is not powerful enough to go against the law. The guards understand the fearful connotations of the law, which gives them enough comfort to waive its threat in K’s face. K. falls victim to the guard's manipulation tactic, doing what they say, because he does not want anyone to think he has placed himself above the law. K. begins to realize the absurdity of the situation when it is revealed that, “ [he has] learn[ed] nothing about why he had been arrested and on whose orders? He [grows] increasingly agitated [...] muttering ‘It’s completely senseless’” (Kafka 15). This quote showcases the reversed order in which the law is supposed to operate. Even though the law is meant to serve the people, everyone is seen moving around nonsensically in the name of the law. Whenever K. calls the fairness of his situation into question, he is seen as crazy. However, K.’s reaction is the most appropriate one. K. is unaware of the accusation of his trial, and doesn’t know the law outside of its usage to manipulate him. All variables in K.’s trial show how the word of the law is only available to those who judge the accused. K. accompanies the guards because he has been conditioned to see this as necessary. K.’s open  detestation of his situation alludes to his desire for freedom being the cause of his guilt, since he lives in a world where he was never meant to be free. 

           Some characters exhibit a self-proclaimed sense of freedom because they comply with the law. While they try to exalt themselves, their self-proclamations have the opposite effect because they come across as pathetic. This  patheticness is initially showcased in the guards who had no idea what they were doing, but felt like they had to do something. This same patheticness is notably observed in Block: a character subservient to the law. Block confides in K. by saying, “‘I wanted to see tangible results [...]. Instead there were nothing but hearings, most of which went over the same old material [...]’” (Kafka 178). As Block reflects on the earlier parts of his five-year trial, he mentions that he was once in the same position as K.. Block repeatedly says that his lawyers were useless because they did not communicate in a way he could understand, and failed to advocate for him. Instead of turning away from the legal system, Block acquires more of the same useless lawyers. Even though Block has five lawyers representing him (and is looking for a sixth), he still believes that lawyers are the solution to gaining his freedom. Block says, “‘This and his colleagues are only petty lawyers, however; the great lawyers, whom I’m merely heard of but never seen, stand incomparably higher in rank above the petty lawyers” (Kafka 179). Block’s negative experiences with lawyers do not serve as a wake-up call for him. Block has spent enough time undergoing trial to understand that the law operates hierarchically. Instead of criticizing this system, he views the legal system as a ladder he has to climb. As K. listens to Block, he realizes that if he doesn’t change his course of action, five years will pass, and he will still strive towards unachievable salvation. Block represents the idea that in this bureaucracy, legal forces act on innocent people, therefore, individuals must be equipped with the tools to combat these forces. Furthermore, Block does not actually understand his case. Leni gives him documents that make him feel like he is staying on top of things but he really isn’t.

          K. acts opposite to Block,  and exerts his free will by being absent from court. K. inquires about what would happen if he were to miss court, and he is told that, “‘[p]eople generally avoid inciting the court to exercise its powers on them’” (Kafka 252). This passage suggests the awareness or fear of the consequences that accompany getting on the wrong side of the law. This is the same manipulation tactic the guards initially used against K., but he has progressed past that point. K.’s liberation is seen when he “[...] gradually forg[ets] about the court, and thoughts of the bank began to occupy him fully once more, as in earlier times” (Kafka 253). K. takes ownership of his life rather than pouring all of his energy and money into a system that was never designed for him to win. K.’s realization that he does not have to attend court is a huge revelation for him, considering that he was once willing to let guards barge into his house and take him away with no valid reasoning. K. can call the legal system out on its bluff, which is a skill that most people never acquire. Even though K. still does not understand the law, he realizes that he can escape it and not allow arbitrary rules to govern his everyday life. By removing himself from the situation and ultimately the system, K. did not bow down to the law, and did not compromise parts of his identity in the process. 

          K.’s ability to remain dignified is a marker of the revolution he is a part of. Josef K. realized his supposed freedom was an illusion, yet he still chose for himself. The Trial sends a larger message about the power that comes with recognizing you are powerless. When governments begin to impose baseless rules on their citizens, we are meant to call them into question. Nothing should be accepted just because it is law, because laws are also subject to change. The Trial also emphasizes the idea that laws tend to work in favor of certain groups of people. The average person has no understanding of the law, but we are not supposed to let it impose fear in our lives.

Works Cited:

Kafka, Franz. The Trial: A New Translation Based on the Restored Text. Translated by Breon Mitchell, Schocken Books, 1998.