Teacher Guide

The Trial Lesson Plan

Introduction to The Trial

Franz Kafka's 1925 novel The Trial is about Josef K., a banker who is prosecuted by a court he has never heard of for a crime that is never revealed. Although K. attempts to fight the illogical accusation, the perplexing legal system steadily wears him down. The novel ends with K.'s abrupt execution: two men hired by the court twist a knife into K.'s heart. Published one year after Kafka's death, The Trial is one of Kafka's best-known and most characteristic works, as it is emblematic of the author's signature narrative premise of a solitary man futilely trying to find his way out of an absurd, nightmarish, and darkly comic predicament.

Written between 1914 and 1915, the manuscript...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2368 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11018 literature essays, 2791 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in