Books The Trial: The Original Classic and Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

The Trial:
The novel follows Josef K., who is mysteriously arrested on his 30th birthday by unseen authorities without being informed of the charges against him. While he is allowed to continue his normal life, Josef becomes entangled in a bizarre and opaque judicial bureaucracy, facing confusing court hearings and a sense of powerlessness. Despite his attempts to understand and fight the system, he is gradually worn down by the labyrinthine legal process. The story ends with Josef being executed without ever learning his alleged crime, symbolizing the incomprehensibility and helplessness in facing an arbitrary, oppressive legal system.

The Metamorphosis:
The story begins with Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect. Despite his grotesque change, Gregor's initial concern is about his job and supporting his family financially. His family reacts with shock, fear, and eventually rejection as Gregor's condition isolates him physically and emotionally. His sister Grete shows some compassion by caring for him, but over time the family's attitude shifts to viewing him as a burden. The novella explores themes of alienation, guilt, and identity through Gregor's tragic transformation and its impact on family dynamics