Der Prozess

Story

Part 1

The arrest. At eight o’clock one morning, two men claiming to be guards of the court come to Josef K.’s flat to inform him of his arrest. The officer in charge of the guards appears with three other men and plays down the seriousness of the measure. He encourages Josef K. to continue working at his bank, leading the latter to suspect a miscarriage of justice. Left alone, Josef K. falls to musing about the state and the rule of law.

Fräulein Bürstner. Josef K.’s neighbour tells him that she will soon be starting work at a lawyer’s office and offers to help him with his trial. His attempts to recreate the arrest for her turn into a sexually-charged tussle.

First examination. Josef K. appears in court where he speaks out passionately against despotism and corruption in the judicial system. His speech earns him a round of applause and it soon emerges that the examining magistrate he criticised is in a sexual relationship with one of the court employees.

The usher’s wife. The examining magistrate’s lover offers to help Josef K. At once fascinated and disgusted, he agrees until another of her lovers appears – a loutish student who makes his intentions very clear. Josef K. wants to rescue the woman from her predicament, but she declines his help and lets the student carry her to the examining magistrate. To Josef K.’s surprise, the usher is well aware of his wife’s many affairs but is content to fantasise about inflicting violence on her lovers.

Second examination. Josef K. returns to court and now accuses everybody of plotting against him. The examining magistrate announces that the accused has forfeited all the advantages he had previously gained.

Part 2

The floggers. The two guards are to be punished because Josef K. made a complaint against them. The more he tries to spare them the more they insist on being flogged. 

A fresh summons. A passer-by warns Josef K. to make sure he appears in court on time and behaves properly.

Uncle Albert. As a member of the party executive, Uncle Albert is looking into the case of his nephew, Josef K. The two of them arrive unannounced at the offices of Huld, a lawyer. Because Huld is in the middle of having fun with a woman, he sends a message to the two men saying he is unwell. But Uncle Albert refuses to go away and discovers Leni – his own lover – getting out of the lawyer’s bed. For appropriate payment, Huld is willing to take on K.’s case and summons the chief clerk of the court who is supposedly the only one who can save Josef K. But now K. only has eyes and ears for Leni. She instructs him to submit to the court and make a confession, saying it is the only way to fulfil his destiny. Josef K. seals his alliance with Leni with a passionate kiss.

The factory owner. The prospect of perfect happiness soon gives way to the humdrum routine of a bank employee. One of Josef K.’s business partners advises him to consult an artist who paints portraits of judges.

The painter. Titorelli explains to K. that the accused is inextricably linked to the court. Josef K. finds this visit all the more dispiriting because the painter spends the entire time indulging in lustful activity with a woman who insults Josef K., calling him ugly.

In the cathedral. Josef K. thinks he has found his ultimate judge in the person of a priest. The clergyman predicts that the trial will end badly and criticises Josef K. for seeking too much outside assistance from women. Josef K. realises how much of his male anxieties and unfulfilled longings he projects onto the women. The priest refuses to commit to a clear judgement, leaving Josef K. at a loss.

The execution. Between hope and conviction Josef K. has completely lost his way and himself. Consequently, the game is up for him.