The Absurdity of Bureaucracy

The thematic thread highlighting the irrational and Kafkaesque nature of the court's bureaucracy.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Arrest

The Bizarre Procedure The Guards' Behavior The guards eat K.'s breakfast and discuss selling his clothes. They are petty and corrupt. The arrest is absurd. The Supervisor's Attitude The supervisor treats the arrest as routine. He gives no explanation. The bureaucracy is indifferent to reason.

The Court Offices

The Labyrinth The Attic Maze The court offices are in attics, with narrow corridors and wooden partitions. The air is stifling. Defendants wait endlessly. The Information-Giver The information-giver is elegantly dressed but useless. The bureaucracy is concerned with appearances, not justice. The Sick Room K. faints from the atmosphere. The court's environment is physically oppressive. The absurdity is embodied in the setting.

The Lawyer's Methods

The Pointless Procedures The First Document Dr. Huld never submits the first document. He talks endlessly about connections. The legal process is a farce. Block's Case Block has been in trial for five years with no resolution. The bureaucracy perpetuates itself. The theme of absurdity is reinforced.

Morning of the arrest

Visit to the court offices

During representation