The Trial (Idris Parry 1994 Translation) by Franz Kafka

Author:Franz Kafka [Kafka, Franz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature
ISBN: 9780241248300
Publisher: Penguin, Random House
Published: 1925-01-02T04:00:00+00:00

Advocate – Manufacturer – Painter

One winter morning – outside the snow was falling in dreary light – K. sat in his office feeling utterly tired in spite of the early hour. To shield himself, from junior officials at least, he had given his clerk an order not to admit any of them as he was busy with an important piece of work. But instead of working he shuffled about in his chair, slowly pushed some objects around on his desk, and then, without being conscious of it, left his arm outstretched on the desk-top and sat motionless with his head bowed.

Thoughts about his case never left him now. Several times he had considered whether it would not be advisable to prepare a written document in his defence and lodge it with the court. His idea was to present a short account of his life and, in the case of each relatively important event, explain the reasons for his action, say whether he now thought that course of action should be condemned or approved, and give his reasons for this judgement. Such a written defence document had undoubted advantages over plain defence by an advocate who was himself not faultless. K. did not of course know what the advocate was doing; it could not be much, he had not asked to see K. for a month, and even from the earlier interviews K. had not had the impression that this man could do much for him. For one thing, he had scarcely questioned him at all. And there was so much to ask. Asking questions was the main thing. K. had the feeling he himself could ask all the pertinent questions. But the advocate just talked, instead of asking questions, or sat opposite him in silence, leaning forward across the desk a little, probably because of his weak hearing, or pulled at a strand of hair in his beard and looked down at the carpet, perhaps at the very spot where K. had been lying with Leni. Now and again he gave K. empty admonitions, the sort one gives to children. And speeches as useless as they were boring, for which K. resolved to pay nothing at the final reckoning. When the advocate thought he had humbled him enough, he usually began to give him a little encouragement. Many such cases, he said then, had been won by him either wholly or in part, cases which in reality were perhaps not as difficult as this one but in externals seemed even more hopeless. He had a list of these cases here in this drawer – at this he tapped one or other drawer in his desk – unfortunately he could not show these documents, official secrets were involved. Nevertheless, K. would now benefit from the vast experience he had gained from all these cases. He had of course set to work at once and the first plea was almost ready. This was highly important because the first impression made by the defence often determined the whole course of the case.

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