K. versus His Assistants

K. tries to control his two absurd, intrusive assistants and finally drives them away.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Assistants Arrive

The Assistants Arrive Artur and Jeremias appear outside the inn and declare themselves K.'s assistants. They have no surveying tools and no knowledge of surveying. What happens K. names them both Artur and treats them as one man. The assistants accept with evasive smiles. Why it matters The pair are official gifts to K., but they are useless and disquieting. They become a constant source of conflict.

The Intrusion in the School

The Intrusion in the School The assistants settle into K.'s room at the school and stare at him constantly. Their childish games and whispering disturb the household. What happens Frieda tolerates them, but K. demands they be sent away. He sees them as spies sent by the castle. Why it matters The assistants embody the official world's intrusion into private life. The conflict with them grows as K.'s life with Frieda worsens.

Dismissal at the School Door

Dismissal at the School Door K. locks the assistants out of the school and declares them dismissed. They knock and plead at the windows. What happens Jeremias and Artur linger by the fence all day. The teacher finally chases them away with a cane. Why it matters The dismissal is K.'s attempt to reclaim control. But the assistants will return as instruments of his ruin.

Jeremias's Confession

Jeremias's Confession Jeremias appears outside Barnabas's house and tells K. that Artur has gone to complain to the castle. He explains that Galater sent them to cheer K. up. What happens Jeremias claims the assistants were only joking and that K. took things too hard. He says his cheerfulness is gone now that he is alone. Why it matters The confession reveals an official origin for the assistants. It changes the conflict from childish pranks to deliberate orders.

Threat in the Snow

Threat in the Snow K. meets Jeremias again and breaks a willow switch, then threatens to force him back into service. Jeremias hurries toward the Castle Inn. What happens K. holds Jeremias's arm and walks with him toward Erlanger. He sees Jeremias as a rival for Frieda and an agent of larger powers. Why it matters The final confrontation is a competition over Frieda and over access to the castle. K. cannot defeat an assistant sent by the official world.

the second day at the Bridge Inn

during the first school days

after the teacher exposes the woodshed break-in

the night after Frieda has left K.

before the Erlanger hearing