Compare and Contrast Essay on the Novels "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial"

Introduction

The two novels, "The Metamorphosis" and "The trial" remains most dominant works of Kafka since they are similar in various aspects and at the same time, they possess unique differences. Most of the differences and the similarities establish the reading and traits of characters of the novel. One might have the notion after reading the two works and differentiate the themes. 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 author's work on "The Metamorphosis" gives more realness compared to "The Trial." The two comparable novels relate to individuals threatened, loneliness and frustration from the unknown forces beyond control or comprehension.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Also, the grapple amongst the uncontrollable mysterious forces are mostly seen the novel "The Metamorphosis," even though they exist in "The Trial." Anonymous forces in The Metamorphosis is whoever or whatever made Gregor Samsa change to pest while in trial, the tussle to these forces is further multifaceted. Joseph fails in understanding why he is arrested and instead, find the solution to his problem, but unfortunately, no one comes out clear to point out the reason for his arrests. Consequently, the overseer who apprehended him fails to give the reason for his arrest.

The novel evidently depicts how Joseph K fails to be lucky in getting the information concerning his arrest. In fact, he did not encounter anonymous forces which issued his first arrest. The information is also true in the other novel "The Metamorphosis," because Gregor failed to find the reason why he turned to an insect and what did that to him. Such factors bring out the dominant issue in the two stories also an essential example of similarities in the stories of Kafka. Surrealism is also another similarity in the two stories and The Metamorphosis, sudden change of Gregor to a bug is itself a surreal the same is true in The Trial.

An Exhibit of Rich Content

Reading 'The Metamorphosis' has aided in having a deeper understanding about the author as the brainchild to this venture. When the author opines that the book "The Metamorphosis" thrives in the richness of having family love and appreciation, which equips me with 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 has stamped the notion that family ties neither fade nor get 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 (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

Considering the structures of the novels, there exist a variety of educative and life-changing features such as the Love World News, Devotional guide, and Inspiration sections. In the part of Love World News, the reader got preserved to a complete pictorial that updates the reader to be knowledgeable on various programs that the ministry embarks in across the world. For the need of religious needs, the section suits you best as it contains the relevant verses and spiritual conversations that work to enrich your Christian life. 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. Your spiritual growth, nourishment, and transformation stand play a vital role in providing guidance through daily inspirational verses that you will get in this section to that focus on one's everyday spiritual experiences.

In both novels, there exists a tendency of showing a relationship between acute loneliness and frustration. The personalities in the novel face 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 "The 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 primary issue got witnessed when K is struggling to find the reason for his arrest where no one intends to aid his struggling process. (Kuper et al. 92).

From these two novels, the main characters, K and Samsa, are confronted with irrationalities of having to cut themselves from an actual self. The extent that Gregor has to cut himself from family brings more critical theme in Kafka's works, and that points out the void between the hero and the unexpected 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 funny tale provides the novel with an appeal leading the reader to learn to read the story even the more. It is also more sensitive to denote that Gregor and K are two epitomes of the author's male characters.

The Clarity of Themes and Messages

Firstly, the novel "The Metamorphosis," shows Gregor as a reluctant man and a skeptical person who fears failure. It, therefore, remains an amusing work 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 novel gives the clarity of the messages of loneliness and gloom. In another aspect, the plays on apparent words and similarities of names show the nature of the novels' autobiographical characters.

In comparing the two characters in the novel, it becomes evident to witness Gregor's parents and siblings who have an existing parallel with Kafka's family (Spilka et al. 305). In his present situation, Gregor has a feeling that his betterment from life would only come after appeasing his father, meaning those represent most of the author's opinions 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.

New Insight

Reading the two books has equipped me with the new insight since I learned the meaning of realism. Magical realism is evident in the two works where one wakes up to find themselves in a controversial situation. Like in The Metamorphosis, Gregor, just found himself turning to an insect. Also, a person hears his family discuss and being scared to leave the room brings insight of being magical. As well, The Trial had possessed some realistic elements, where K got arrested without any apparent reason. Another new insight element I found that it was a reality that the insects do not prefer the same food we consume and in the novel of "The Metamorphosis," the food habit of Gregor changed immediately he turned to an insect. Furthermore, her sister had time to feed him by providing him with his favorite food, milk, and bread.

In "The Trial," by Kafka, it becomes simple to resonate with those living under the dictatorship. Even the cursory look in the novel depicts Kafka's work was not capturing the suffering of the innocent victims. In the novel, the protagonist, Josef, is not likable being that he does not have the right relationship with others after which, he becomes tormented by unclear guilt which the court incessantly reminds him. The novel reveals the extent to which power relies on the connivance of the victims. It becomes clear that the phenomenon in the story goes beyond politics, therefore, brings the insight of Psychoanalysis.

Confirming the Old Insights

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, The Metamorphosis (Kuper et al. 85). The reach out starts: from 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.

Despite the existence of the need for help in both cases, the two novel show disparity when it comes to requirements to accord this help. For instance, Metamorphosis depicts Grete as an eager personality, who is not only anxious 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, lacks provision of clear picture relating to the institution of family as far as the detention of Josef concerns the traits exhibited in the theme. In fact, we only witness a vague representation of care from Mrs. Grubach's cook (Kuper et al. 88).

The novel "The Metamorphosis," comes out as outstanding over "The Trial," as presents a fusion of the remedy for both social and spiritual woes. It has profoundly discussed the various challenges that come with alienation in a comical but educative way. Since its inception, it has come out more real beating the odds that other devotional or study guides in the world of literature. Even in The Trial, also tries to prove its worth as a wellspring of inspiration and hope, it has a 'cheap' layout 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 taking 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 apparently sounded dull as the main character remained the center of attention for the rest of the novel. It is, therefore, satisfying to say. It is not surprising to find its translation into over eight hundred languages making it possible for the public 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. "Ka...