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. As K leaves the bank one day, he looks into the lumber room,
where the warders are getting whipped. He pleads for their freedom, but the whipper has
no sympathy and continues to whip them. When K comes back the next morning he notices,
"As he passed the lumber-room again on his way out he could not resist opening the door.
And what confronted him, instead of the darkness he had expected, bewildered him
completely. Everything was still the same, exactly as he had found it on opening the door
the previous evening." (p 81)
This is just one example, Kafka used surrealism through The Trial, and his other
stories.
Although just similarities have been mentioned, the two stories also have unique
differences. One such difference is the way the two characters handle the anonymous
force. In The Trial, Joseph K spends much of his free time searching and investigating
for information about his case. This is completely different then Gregor in The
Metamorphosis. Gregor does not try to figure out why he has changed, in his case into an
insect, he just tries to accommodate his change and go on with his life. The reader sees
this when Gregor wakes up, realizes that he has turned into an insect, yet his only
concern is getting to work as soon as possible. This is just one difference between the
two books, there are many more.
The similarities and differences that have been discussed are just a few of several
between the stories. One can easily see that the style of writing Kafka used is eminent
in both stories. Kafkas other books, such as The Castle, also use this unique style and
share many similarities, and also differences, with The Trial and The Metamorphosis.
Kafkas style is truly unique, as no other author has portrayed his feelings as well as
Kafka has. The feeling that no matter what you do, in an instant, something can
drastically change your life, forever.
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