Introduction
The Trial remains one of Kafka’s prolific novels, and in this regard, it is only right that it finds a comparison with another novel from the author. In particular, comparing this work establishes the metamorphosis that leads to a lot more comparable stances concerning their themes, subjects, and even the different characters (Spilka et al. 290). Depending on the subject matter of the two novels, the first impression points to the fact that the Metamorphosis gives more realness compared to the Trial. As two of the most predominant novels that Kafka ever wrote, the two novels, however, show unique realities and in the same instance have obvious differences. The subtle comparisons that a reader would find no ease in picking comparisons would remain clear to a reader with a subtle understanding of the plot of the two novels.
Diversity in Their Plots
The Metamorphosis starts with details of a morning where Samsa wakes up from a troubled dream where he wakes up in the form of a scaring vermin. The novel describes him lying on his back, and as he lifted his head, he could see his belly grown and divided into numerous sections. A look at his bed would signify its inability to cover and slide his body the whole time. The legs were pitiful as they were smaller in size compared to the rest of his body (Spilka et al. 300). From this description, there exists a vivid and funny story that readily helps the reader explore themes of the pain of transformation, guilt, and inadequacy. The story is so succinct and relevant to the modern day struggles that human beings mostly face in the present times (Spilka et al. 298). The book gives a clearer outlook on the suffering we undergo during illnesses or even disabilities. On the other hand, the novel trial starts off with a stark problem. The fact that there exists a misconception where there is a persistent belief that lies have been in the offing for Josef K. Ideally, he knows there is no wrong he committed that must warrant his arrest but then again defending himself from accusations that he completely lacks information about the mistake committed. From the evidence that Mrs. Grubachs cook brought him breakfast on a daily basis until this day that she never brought some to Josef K, due to the information that came out courtesy of the gross charges Josef K faces as a bank employee (Kuper et al. 95). More terrifying is this novel due to the exploration of vast nightmares that come with excessive bureaucracy and how systems mistreat its people.
An Exhibit of Rich Content
Reading metamorphosis has aided in having a deeper understanding about the author as the brainchild of this venture. When the author opines that the book Metamorphosis thrives in the richness of having family love and appreciation, I get the feeling that he came from a cordial family where his family was the primary source of inspiration (Spilka et al. 301). The manifestation of the idea that Samsa relies on his father for security as his sister gives emotional support. In fact, Kafka's has stamped the notion that family ties neither fade nor gets old. Coming from his quest for a life-changing mission, he attests that translating the novels articulation of social issues existing in the world will continue till eternity without censure. Therefore, any avid read with a bias for social issues and how to go about the various transformations in life would make the book a priority compared to the Trial (Spilka et al. 293). The author, Mr. Kafka also promises a will to persist in providing rich content that will not only soothe the weary readers souls but also create educative features throughout the reading spree.
The Features of Old Insights Reconfirmed
Concerning the features, the novels have a variety of educative and life-changing features such as the LoveWorld News, Devotional guide, and Inspiration sections. In the LoveWorld News section, the reader is treated to a fully-fledged pictorial and color magazine that updates you on the various programs that the ministry embarks in across the world. For your daily devotional needs, the Devotion section suits you best as it contains the relevant verses and spiritual conversations that work to enrich your Christian life. Your spiritual growth, nourishment, and transformation stand guided through the daily inspirational verses that you will get in this section that focuses on your daily spiritual experiences.
In both the stories, there exists a tendency to show a relationship with acute loneliness and frustration when it comes to personalities facing threats that come from unseen forces that have no sense of control (Spilka et al. 305). Even as the evident struggle between these forces exists in Metamorphosis, the Trial also has its share of these forces. A look at Metamorphosis depicts an unknown force as any element that changed Gregor Samsa from a being into an insect. Such a scene seems simple when relating to the Trial where the scenario seems more complicated. One is primarily because Joseph is witnessed undergoing a struggle to find the reason for his arrest. As he continues to search for clear answers, nobody bothers to aid him in this process (Kuper et al. 92).
From these two novels, the men characters K and Samsa are confronted with the absurdities of having to cut themselves from an actual self. The extent that Gregor has to cut himself from family begins a much important theme in Kafka's works and that point to the void between the hero and the unforeseen sources of his critics (Spilka et al. 305). As a reader, the analysis only gives the horrific side of Gregor’s fate rendering the theme of alienation the source of change or metamorphosis. Therefore, this absurdity gives the novel an appeal leading the reader to learn to read the novel even more. It is also more sensitive to denote that Gregor same as K are two archetypes of the authors’ male characters.
The Clarity of Themes and Messages
Firstly, the novel Metamorphosis shows Gregor as a reluctant man and a skeptical person who fears failure. It, therefore, remains comical to read such a character whenever one needs to discover the various activities that happen when it comes to his life. For instance, the novel narrates how he used his body to guard a magazine clip of a lady who had a fur cape (Spilka et al. 303). The scenario, therefore, demonstrated Gregor as a disdainful person with his preoccupation with sex. The clarity of the messages of loneliness and gloom further gives the novel. In another aspect, the plays on obvious words and similarities of names show the nature of the novel’s autobiographical characters.
In this case, there exists a disparity in the arrangement and order in which the vowels from Samsa take after Ks. In comparing the two characters in the novel, it becomes easier to view Gregor from the novel Metamorphosis as the author himself as compared to Josef. In this regard, we witness Gregory’s parents and siblings who have an existing parallel with Kafka’s family (Spilka et al. 305). In his present situation, Gregory has a feeling that his betterment from life would only come after appeasing his father, meaning those represent most of the author’s feelings in his literary work. In the trial, there exists a different perception. The general feeling in the trial contains no appeasement despite Josef's unlawful detention and conviction as a criminal.
Reaching Out: as an Old Insight
In the spirit of spreading works of literature in the entire world, reading the Trial engages the mind and opens it up for a host of various issues in life. However, it presents these issues in a less clear manner as compared to Metamorphosis. As a norm, the reach-out mission is communicated at the beginning of every year, and it focuses on winning souls for Christ with the campaign (Kuper et al. 85). The reach out starts: by enlisting volunteers who distribute the copies of the magazines and earnest prayers for the campaigns which are conducted every evening through meetups and distribution of literature. With the need to impact many lives with the depth of messages they contain, there is a dire need for millions of copies to reach out to many persons across the world.
From the level of sophistication in these projects, it is indeed true that the novels have significantly helped in bringing out the mastery of creativity in literature. In partnerships, you get to help in sponsoring free copies of the devotional guide to institutions such as refugee homes, prisons, and even hospitals. The sponsorship can, therefore, come in the form of donations with no prescribed amount but only limited to your capability as an individual. As part of a ministry with sound doctrinal values, the partnerships come with a commitment to safeguarding the interests of the gospel. It is, therefore, the sole responsibility that the Trial wishes to engage itself in most of the occasions so long as it helps in advancing the art and culture of reading in students.
Despite the existence of the need for help in both cases, the two novels show disparity when it comes to needing to accord this help. For instance, Metamorphosis depicts Grete as an eager personality, who is not only eager to understand his brother but also to help him out. When Gregor changes into an insect, he is the first to advocate for the removal of the insect so that her brother resumes normalcy (Spilka et al. 301). In this case, the novel gives a better version of the essence of compassion for the family as compared to the Trial. True to its message, the trial does not give a clear picture of the institution of family as far as the detention of Josef becomes a concern. In fact, we only witness a vague representation of care from Mrs. Grubachs cook (Kuper et al. 88).
Conclusion
The novel metamorphosis comes out as outstanding over the trial since presents a fusion of the remedy for both social and spiritual woes. It has heavily discussed the various challenges that come with alienation in a comical but educative way. Since its inception, I think it has come out more real beating the odds that other devotional or study guides in the world of literature. Even as the Trial also tries to prove its worth as a wellspring of inspiration and hope, it has a cheap premised on the mission and objectives of its law and order. It has dwelt so much on the negatives of unlawful detention and prosecution as can be witnessed with Josef (Kuper et al. 85).
The novel has also mandated itself to take the message of injustices to all the four corners of the world through the highlighting of challenges that the characters have to face as subordinates in various capacities. Its achievement emanates from the fact that it has reached over 230 countries courtesy of the zeal and passion for literature in these perilous times. That notwithstanding, the Trial has its rare share of ambiguity ranging uncoordinated scenes and seemingly mixed up plots. Reading it seemingly sounded dull as the main character remained the center of attention for the rest of the novel. It is, therefore, satisfying to say, Metamorphosis was a cut above it courtesy of the much comic but insightful themes contained in the better part of the novel. It is not surprising to find its translation into over 800 languages making it possible for the public to obtain a permit in accessing the knowledge of social issues.
Works Cited
Kuper, Peter, and Franz Kafka. The Metamorphosis and The Trial. Crown, (2003). 12-97
Spilka, Mark. "Kafka's Sources for the Metamorphosis." Comparative Literature 11.4 (1959): 289-307
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