Joseph K.

Joseph K. is the central character in Franz Kafka's novel "The Trial." He is a man who is suddenly arrested and prosecuted without ever being told the specific crime he’s accused of. Throughout the story, he navigates a confusing, inaccessible bureaucratic system trying to understand his situation and clear his name. Kafka uses Joseph K. to explore themes of guilt, justice, and the often oppressive nature of institutional authority. The novel portrays the frustration and alienation that can come from systems that are opaque and unrelenting, reflecting broader existential and societal questions.