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The Trial

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  • 24-04-2005 3:40pm
    #1
    Pigman II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,921 ✭✭✭✭


    Just finished reading this book by Franz Kafka and tbh I'm still confused! Can somebody here tell me what exactly it was supposed to be about? Is it a literal story or is it meant to be metaphorical? I was getting all these 'deeper meanings' as I read it but when I looked read up on a few of those 'cliffs notes-esque' reviews scattered across the net they seemed to suggest that it was a merely a satire and nothing deeper.

    Any opinions info gratefully recieved.


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    #2
    tHE vAGGABOND
    Registered Users Posts: 6,687 ✭✭✭tHE vAGGABOND


    Is it a literal story or is it meant to be metaphorical
    I think the genius is that you can take it both ways..

    Not giving anything away, but read it as 'plain english' its a story about what can and did happen in communist countries..

    But there are massive 'read between the lines' moments. They are maybe not as clear as, say, animal farm, but its there :)

    Just my 2 cents :)


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    #3
    almostagassi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 113 ✭✭almostagassi


    I gave up reading the Trial, i dont want it ruined for everyone else, but what happens at the end. did he stop having to go to court or end up in jail or was there some revelation.

    it seems like the emperor's new clothes


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    #4
    ExOffender
    Closed Accounts Posts: 229 ✭✭ExOffender


    Like On The Road, this is one that I've tried and failed to read several times. Just too dull. Someday I'll read it. Not OTR, though. Just don't like Kerouac.


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    #5
    MissRibena
    Registered Users Posts: 82 ✭✭MissRibena


    I haven't read The Trial but I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about Metamorphosis. I know the themes and Kafka's treatment of them were ground-breakingly new at the time of publication but I really felt like shouting "so-what?" at it. Other 20th century works of literature were innovative (e.g. Orwell, Steinbeck) but stood the test of time far better IMHO.

    Mabye The Trial is superior and I should give it a whirl to give Kafka a fair crack of the whip. Or would it be more of the same?

    Rebecca


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    #6
    cashback
    Registered Users Posts: 1,598 ✭✭✭cashback


    I also started reading it. Started 2 months ago and haven't picked it up since. Not exactly a page-turner though someday I'll read it.... probably...maybe... ;)


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    #7
    tHE vAGGABOND
    Registered Users Posts: 6,687 ✭✭✭tHE vAGGABOND


    ah lads, its not like its 1000 pages long in fairness :)


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