The Trial in English

FRAGMENTS

FRAGMENTS B.’s Friend In the days that followed K. found it impossible to speak to Fräulein Bürstner at all, even to exchange a few words with her. He tried all sorts of different ways of approaching her, but she always managed to avoid contact with him. He would come straight home from work and stay in his room with the light off, sitting on the sofa doing noth- ing but keep the hall under observation.

In the Cathedral

In the Cathedral K. was given the task of showing a very important Italian business associate of the bank, who was visiting the city for the first time, some of its artistic treasures. It was a task which at any other time he would have regarded as an honour. Now, however, at a time when it was taking all his effort to maintain his reputation in the bank, he accepted it reluctantly

Block, the Corn Merchant · The Dismissal of the Lawyer

Block, the Corn Merchant · The Dismissal of the Lawyer K. had finally decided to take his case out of the lawyer’s hands. He couldn’t entirely rid himself of doubts as to whether this was the correct course of action, but they were outweighed by his conviction that it was necessary. On the day he intended to visit the lawyer his decision had severely reduced his capacity for work, he had to stay very late in the office, and it was already after ten when he finally reached the lawyer’s door.

The Lawyer · The Factory-Owner · The Painter

The Lawyer · The Factory-Owner · The Painter One winter’s morning — outside snow was falling in the murky light — K. was in his office, feeling extremely tired already despite the early hour. In order to prevent himself from at least being disturbed by the clerks, he’d told the messenger not to let any of them in, because he was occupied with an important piece of work.

His Uncle · Leni

His Uncle · Leni One afternoon — it was just before the post was due to go, and K. was very busy — his Uncle Karl, a small landowner from the country, pushed his way into the room between two messengers who were bringing documents.