"The Trial" and "Crime and Punishment"

[NigerianPrince]

Hello

I have a school assignment in a few days where I am supposed to look on similarities and differences between these two books when it comes to the themes "Crime" and "Punishment," written by Franz Kafka and Fjodor Dostojevskij.

I'm all ready thinking of writing about the differences in Josef K. and Raskalnikov's thoughts regarding crime, as K. never knows what his crime is, but Raskalnikov is rather trying to justify his own crimes to himself.

I'm also going to talk about how "Crime and punishment" is more about getting inside the criminal's head than "The Trial."

However, I surely could use some more info than this, as I'm supposed to write 3-4 pages. Does anyone have any useful topics to write about that could be relevant for my task?

I'd be quite happy.

[Alexander III]

Would you also like me to transfer you some money via my bak account as for visa reasons you are unable to acces your inheritance but as soon as you get it (very soon) you shall give me a nice chunk in return for lending you some money.

[Darcy88]

I'm also going to talk about how "Crime and punishment" is more about getting inside the criminal's head than "The Trial."


Yes it does. Raskolnikov chooses to commit a crime while K's "crime" is thrust upon him. Raskolnikov's predicament proceeds from his own actions, K's from the actions of others. One is guilty and knows full well the extent of his guilt, while the other is innocent and the notion of guilt seems to him absurd. C&p is much more interior than The Trial. The former ends with a spiritual epiphany, the latter with K being dragged off and executed. It's been some time since I read C&P. I hope this helps some.

[NigerianPrince]

Would you also like me to transfer you some money via my bak account as for visa reasons you are unable to acces your inheritance but as soon as you get it (very soon) you shall give me a nice chunk in return for lending you some money.

I'm not asking you to write anything for me, just to give me some hints. I don't think my teacher would mind.

Your comparising is not accurate.


Yes it does. Raskolnikov chooses to commit a crime while K's "crime" is thrust upon him. Raskolnikov's predicament proceeds from his own actions, K's from the actions of others. One is guilty and knows full well the extent of his guilt, while the other is innocent and the notion of guilt seems to him absurd. C&p is much more interior than The Trial. The former ends with a spiritual epiphany, the latter with K being dragged off and executed. It's been some time since I read C&P. I hope this helps some.

Thanks, it was quite helpful. But I was mainly looking for more... "juice" to fill out the 3-4 pages with. What I all ready have is pretty decent, but if you/someone else could help me on what might be good to put in the text, that'd be great.

[KCurtis]

Thanks, it was quite helpful. But I was mainly looking for more... "juice" to fill out the 3-4 pages with. What I all ready have is pretty decent, but if you/someone else could help me on what might be good to put in the text, that'd be great.

Darcy just told you, you have to write it, not us.

[NigerianPrince]

Darcy just told you, you have to write it, not us.

I'll be writing it, I'm just looking for more themes to write about.

Asking for help is not against the rules, as long as I do it beforehand or don't copy anything. Whether I ask my teacher, parents or you shouldn't matter.

[OrphanPip]

What you have already should be enough material to write way more than 3-4 pages.

[Kyriakos]

Yes it does. Raskolnikov chooses to commit a crime while K's "crime" is thrust upon him. Raskolnikov's predicament proceeds from his own actions, K's from the actions of others. One is guilty and knows full well the extent of his guilt, while the other is innocent and the notion of guilt seems to him absurd. C&p is much more interior than The Trial. The former ends with a spiritual epiphany, the latter with K being dragged off and executed. It's been some time since I read C&P. I hope this helps some.

I politely disagree, and wish to explain why :)

It is not certain that Joseph K. is innocent. If for no other reason then due to a specific quote by Kafka in the last years of his diary-keeping, according to which Joseph K. is being destroyed due to being guilty (along with K., that main character in the Castle).

But this is just Kafka's word in a small quote. I am of the view that Joseph K. is guilty because to me the Trial seems to be a vast allegory of what in psychology is called "repressed memory" and a repressed memory of guilt. Joseph K. surely is not conscious of what his crime is, but at the same time he gives up fighting the notion that he is a criminal relatively fast, which seems to mean that unconsciously he feels that he has committed a crime.

This really is a topic for 30 pages, and not 4, but if you want to i can provide more ideas. Of course Darcy's point of view is respectable as well, and perhaps you could think of juxtaposing both. :)

[Darcy88]

I politely disagree, and wish to explain why :)

It is not certain that Joseph K. is innocent. If for no other reason then due to a specific quote by Kafka in the last years of his diary-keeping, according to which Joseph K. is being destroyed due to being guilty (along with K., that main character in the Castle).

But this is just Kafka's word in a small quote. I am of the view that Joseph K. is guilty because to me the Trial seems to be a vast allegory of what in psychology is called "repressed memory" and a repressed memory of guilt. Joseph K. surely is not conscious of what his crime is, but at the same time he gives up fighting the notion that he is a criminal relatively fast, which seems to mean that unconsciously he feels that he has committed a crime.

This really is a topic for 30 pages, and not 4, but if you want to i can provide more ideas. Of course Darcy's point of view is respectable as well, and perhaps you could think of juxtaposing both. :)

That's true. It could easily be argued that he's guilty. I'm not 100 percent either way.

Another great contrast which strikes me about the two novels is that K's crime and trial are public, he attends that large meeting and stands before all as one accused. Raskolnikov on the other hand keep his crime concealed and the possibility of it becoming known haunts and eats away at him. K is at a loss for what transgression he's committed. Raskolnikov's guilt becomes an absorbing, possessing fact. As a result, K is assertive, Raskolnikov nervous.

I want to read C&P again now.

[Aylinn]

I remember that I analysed these books in high school and here is my suggestion how you can compare them.

To understand it, you have to know some interpretations of The Trial.

Josef K. is guilty. He leads a boring, monotonous life. He does nothing with his life and his passivity is precisely his crime. He needs no one and no one needs him, thus his existence is unneeded. Only after arresting does he try to seek help of others. Only before his death does another human being begin to truly interest him. Who was that? A friend? A good person? Somebody who was taking part? Somebody who wanted to help? Was he alone? Was it everyone? Would anyone help? For the first time Josef K. is ready to believe in friendship, love etc. and ready to create a deep emotional connection with another human being, but it is too late.

Another interpretation is that Josef K. is guilty, because he is passive when it comes to fighting evil that surrounds him. In the book the court symbolizes evil. Josef K. seeks help from other people, he asks others how he should act, but no one can tell him how he should deal with the court just like no one can tell another person how to combat evil. Josef K. cannot find a solution for himself, so he loses the fight.

Or there is also one more interesting and sombre interpretation that the Trial symbolizes life. Josef K. symbolizes humanity. It's impossible to win the trial just like no one can make the most of her/his life. Josef K. is unable to live up to his fullest potential = no one is able to lead an ideal life. We are all failures who are doomed to die before realizing our human potential.

If you agree with these interpretation then the main difference between Raskolnikov and Josef K. is that one is guilty of acting and the other is guilty of doing nothing.

There is also a striking difference between the ending of Crime and Punishment and the ending of The Trial. There is hope for Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment, while there is no hope for Josef K. Raskolnikov, through Sonia, can find forgiveness. Josef K. is alone and condemned to death.