(no subject)
Catherine Disantis
Period 1
May 24, 2006
1. Throughout the entire movie, Josef K is never told what he is being accused guilty for. A guilty act is never physically demonstrated within the movie. Because of this, it is inferred that he is guilty of being human, and virtually living in general. There is a theory that every human is punished for the original sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Thus, it can also be inferred Josef is being persecuted for the original sin as well. This is because of the imagery found in the beginning of the movie where he eats an apple; simulating the act of sin committed by Adam and Eve.
2. Every character in The Trial considers Josef K to be guilty. The two men who come to Josef’s apartment are the first characters to assume him to be guilty. The only reasoning behind their accusations is because they are told he is guilty. Thus, they believe it. This same reasoning is why almost all of the characters assume Josef to be guilty. They are told so, and choose to believe the accusation.
3. Because every character in The Trial believes Josef K to be guilty, no one asserts his innocence. This includes Josef himself. In the beginning of the film, Josef attempts to question why he is being taken away from his home and being charged. He is never truly assertive with his claim of innocence. This is first shown when he gives into the tow men who come to take him to court. It is then shown at the end of the film when he gives into the same tow men as they take him away to be killed.
4. A victim is a person who cannot find any form of salvation because all odds are against them. A victim is also most likely to make attempts to find salvation, although they may no be successful in the end. Because of this definition, Josef K is not a victim. It is not apparent whether he never had an opportunity to escape simply because he never attempts to do so. Instead he is incredibly passive, and gives in to each of his accusers. In order for Josef K to be considered a victim, he would have had to be more assertive in his personal feeling of innocence, and attempted to go against his accusers.
5. If Josef K's accusers were righteous, they would be considered morally right or justified with the accusations and punishment. Josef is accused and punished for being human. This is not a justified reason to murder someone. If people were to be persecuted because they are human, everyone would need to be persecuted. There is not a person on earth who is not human, and does not commit sin. Thus, Josef K's accusers are not righteous.
6. Josef K’s story would be considered a victory if he had stood up to his accusers. If he had done so, he possible could have convinced them that he was innocent. If he wasn’t able to convince his accusers that he was innocent, his story would have still been considered a victory. This is because he would have been considered a martyr. He would have died for a cause or reasoning that he believed in, and stood up for. Unfortunately, Josef K was extremely passive; thus, his story is a defeat.
7. In the novel The Metamorphosis, Gregor is isolated and alienated by his family when they discover that he is a bug. In the movie The Trial, Josef K is isolated and alienated by all of those that are around him when he is accused of being guilty. The difference between the two is that in the novel, Gregor attempts to be assertive. He does not want his family to continue to alienate him; thus, he tries to remain a part of their lives. In comparison, Josef K does not attempt to change the fact that he is being alienated by everyone around him. Instead, he is passive and gives in to all the accusers.
8. Ivan and Josef are alike because they both claim to be guilty, regardless of the fact that both personally feel that they are innocent. The difference between both characters is that Ivan retains his integrity. He says that he is guilty so that he can survive. After he goes along with the ploy, he enjoys and makes a good life. In comparison, Josef K states that he is guilty because he is passive, and refuses to stand up to his accusers. Because he does no do so, he is killed. Perhaps if he had stood up to his accusers, he could have lived or at least died with dignity.
9. In contemporary America, people are persecuted for who they are every day. For example, homosexuals are told that their way of life is not right and they should change in order to be alike to everyone else.
Period 1
May 24, 2006
1. Throughout the entire movie, Josef K is never told what he is being accused guilty for. A guilty act is never physically demonstrated within the movie. Because of this, it is inferred that he is guilty of being human, and virtually living in general. There is a theory that every human is punished for the original sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Thus, it can also be inferred Josef is being persecuted for the original sin as well. This is because of the imagery found in the beginning of the movie where he eats an apple; simulating the act of sin committed by Adam and Eve.
2. Every character in The Trial considers Josef K to be guilty. The two men who come to Josef’s apartment are the first characters to assume him to be guilty. The only reasoning behind their accusations is because they are told he is guilty. Thus, they believe it. This same reasoning is why almost all of the characters assume Josef to be guilty. They are told so, and choose to believe the accusation.
3. Because every character in The Trial believes Josef K to be guilty, no one asserts his innocence. This includes Josef himself. In the beginning of the film, Josef attempts to question why he is being taken away from his home and being charged. He is never truly assertive with his claim of innocence. This is first shown when he gives into the tow men who come to take him to court. It is then shown at the end of the film when he gives into the same tow men as they take him away to be killed.
4. A victim is a person who cannot find any form of salvation because all odds are against them. A victim is also most likely to make attempts to find salvation, although they may no be successful in the end. Because of this definition, Josef K is not a victim. It is not apparent whether he never had an opportunity to escape simply because he never attempts to do so. Instead he is incredibly passive, and gives in to each of his accusers. In order for Josef K to be considered a victim, he would have had to be more assertive in his personal feeling of innocence, and attempted to go against his accusers.
5. If Josef K's accusers were righteous, they would be considered morally right or justified with the accusations and punishment. Josef is accused and punished for being human. This is not a justified reason to murder someone. If people were to be persecuted because they are human, everyone would need to be persecuted. There is not a person on earth who is not human, and does not commit sin. Thus, Josef K's accusers are not righteous.
6. Josef K’s story would be considered a victory if he had stood up to his accusers. If he had done so, he possible could have convinced them that he was innocent. If he wasn’t able to convince his accusers that he was innocent, his story would have still been considered a victory. This is because he would have been considered a martyr. He would have died for a cause or reasoning that he believed in, and stood up for. Unfortunately, Josef K was extremely passive; thus, his story is a defeat.
7. In the novel The Metamorphosis, Gregor is isolated and alienated by his family when they discover that he is a bug. In the movie The Trial, Josef K is isolated and alienated by all of those that are around him when he is accused of being guilty. The difference between the two is that in the novel, Gregor attempts to be assertive. He does not want his family to continue to alienate him; thus, he tries to remain a part of their lives. In comparison, Josef K does not attempt to change the fact that he is being alienated by everyone around him. Instead, he is passive and gives in to all the accusers.
8. Ivan and Josef are alike because they both claim to be guilty, regardless of the fact that both personally feel that they are innocent. The difference between both characters is that Ivan retains his integrity. He says that he is guilty so that he can survive. After he goes along with the ploy, he enjoys and makes a good life. In comparison, Josef K states that he is guilty because he is passive, and refuses to stand up to his accusers. Because he does no do so, he is killed. Perhaps if he had stood up to his accusers, he could have lived or at least died with dignity.
9. In contemporary America, people are persecuted for who they are every day. For example, homosexuals are told that their way of life is not right and they should change in order to be alike to everyone else.