EXISTENTIALISM ON THE NOVEL
“
THE TRIAL
” BY
FRANZ KAFKA
I GUSTI AYU MITA CESTALIA PUTRI
1201305032
ENGLISH DEPARTEMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my gratitude to Almighty God for his blessing and
grace that I was able to complete my paper and finish my thesis. I also would like
express my gratitude to the Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof. Dr. Ni Luh Sutjiati
Beratha, M.A. Thank you for the support, guidance and advice throughout the process
of completing undergraduate thesis to my first supervisor, Prof. Dr. Drs I. B Putra
Yadnya, M.A. and second supervisor, Putu Ayu Asty Senja Pratiwi, SS, M.
HumAnother thanks to The Head of English Department, I Gusti Ngurah Parthama,
S.S. M. Hum. and other lecturers that giving me knowledge from the beginning of
university and staffs for helping me.
I am grateful for the support and patient of my family. Thank you for your
love and kindness to always keep me finishing my thesis and cheering me up. I also
thank Meldy, Doddy, Aldi, Widya, Nita and the rest of friends in semester eight of
English Departement who support each other in hard times. Special thanks to Ishida
Sui for his reference in his works and introduced me to Franz Kafka. I hope this paper
can give contribution towards English Department and for those who seeks
information.
Denpasar, March 2016
ii ABSTRACT
The title of this study is Existentialism On Novel “The Trial” By Franz Kafka.
The story revolved around Josef K. as he tried to enter the world of court and encountered a lot of people around it. The study was chosen because there are few literatures about existentialism. The study found interpretation of story through character analysis and connected it with existentialism.
The data was taken from book and internet. The story The Trial was taken from website PlanetEBook and the biography from Franz Kafka website. The method and technique of collecting data was documentation. The method and technique of analysing data was qualitative analysis.
The first theory used in this study was theory of existentialism. This theory explained about parts of existentialism. The second theory is theory of character. This theory was presented by Wellek and Warren. In analysing characteristic, this theory was divided into three parts. They are physiological, psychological and sociological.
The result of this study showed Josef K. characteristics in the story. This part was related to the existentialism. The existentialism was being connected to the literary criticism. Therefore, it would show the strength and weakness of story The Trial.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.5.2 Method and Technique of Collecting Data ... 5
1.5.3 Method and Technique of Analysing Data ... 5
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURES, CONCEPTS, AND THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK ... 7
2.1 Literature Review ... 7
2.2 Concept ... 8
2.2.1 Concept of Novel ... 8
2.2.2 Concept of Existentialism ... 9
2.3 Theoretical Framework ... 11
2.3.1 Theory of Literature ... 11
2.3.1.1Physiological Aspect ... 15
2.3.1.2Psychological Aspect ... 12
2.3.1.3Sociological Aspect ... 12
2.3.2 Theory of Existentialism ... 14
2.3.2.1Philosophy As A Way of Life ... 14
2.3.2.2Anxiety and Authenticity ... 15
2.3.2.3Freedom... 15
2.3.2.4Absurdity ... 16
2.3.2.5Existence ... 16
2.3.2.6Situatedness ... 16
2.3.2.7The Crowd ... 17
CHAPTER III DISCUSSION OF EXISTENTIALISM THE TRIAL ... 18
3.1 Synopsis of The Trial ... 18
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3.3 Existentialism Reflected in Life of K... 23
3.3.1 Philosophy As A Way of Life ... 23
3.3.2 Anxiety and Authenticity ... 24
3.3.3 Freedom ... 28
3.3.4 Absurdity ... 30
3.3.5 Existence ... 35
3.3.6 Situatedness ... 36
3.3.7 The Crowd... 36
3.4 The Analysis of Characters ... 38
3.4.1 Main Character ... 38
3.4.1.1Physiological Aspect ... 38
3.4.1.2Psychological Aspect ... 39
3.4.1.3Sociological Aspect ... 44
3.4.2 Supporting Characters ... 52
CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION ... 55
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of The Study
Novel is one of literary works that form of long fictional narrative. The
beginning of English novel is marked in 17th century. In 18th century, there was a
public demand from novel caused by expanding of middle class. Novels start growing
and has more genre than before in literature. Nowadays, people read novel as a source
of entertainment.
Existentialism is a movement in early 19th and 20th. It explains about
philosophy which grasps individuality, freedom and choice. This term comes from
philosophers who considers the nature of human condition as an answer to
philosophical problems and who shares the view that this problem should be
addressed through ontology. Existentialism defines the meaning behind human life
and how to be responsible for the action despite the situation. Approaching
existentialism may seem to conceal what is often taken to be its “heart” (Kaufmann
1968: 12), namely, the character as a gesture of protest against academic philosophy,
its anti-system sensibility and its flight from the “iron cage” of reason.
While existentialism did not leave a big impact on philosophy, it gives
contribution to psychology theory and on the arts. This philosophy also influenced
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literature world. The opposite is also worked. Several novelists like Doetevsky and
Kafka were called to be precedents along with Kierkegaard and Nietzsche in the
mid-century. This developed within circle of drama as in theatre of the absurd from
Beckett, who influenced by idea of existentialism.
Study about existentialism has been done by some existentialists. One of the
study is made by Jean Paul Sartre. In 1940, Sartre published “Notebooks for an
Ethics". His works based on criticism by Merleau-Ponty and de Beauvoir. Sartre is no
longer wrote about pessimism. He elaborated about his relation account with other
existentialist and takes deeper study about Hegel idea.
Reason to write a paper about existentialism is to introduce the ideology in
simple way. The Trial or Deer Prosess is a translated short story by Franz Kafka. He
is a novelist and a short story writer from Germany. He wrote numerous works in his
life. Kafka is considered as one of influential written in 20’s. He has his own unique
style which is bizarre, surreal, illogical and complex. The author of story was also the
reason why this topic was chosen. Franz Kafka was an interesting author for
reference because his own style in writing. His way of writing is described in specific
term called “Kafkaesque”. This style is inspired others in both literature and art. In
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1.2 Problems of Study
Referring to the background of study above, the problems of this study are:
1) How existentialism is shown in the novel The Trial?
2) How existentialism is reflected in Josef K.’s life?
1.3 Aims of Study
Every study has some objectives which will be their achievement in the study. In
this study, there were two kinds of objectives. They are general aims and specific
aims.
1.3.1 General Aims of Study
1) To fulfil requirement of undergraduate thesis.
2) To learn about existentialism in literature.
1.3.2 Specific Aims of Study
1) To explain existentialism in the novel The Trial.
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1.4 Scope of Discussion
It is necessary to limit the sense of focus study to make a deep research. The
focus of research was existentialism related to the elements of novel The Trial by
Franz Kafka.
1.5 Research Method
Research method refers to the method of study in a research. This study was
data source, method and technique of collecting data and method and technique of
analysing data.
1.5.1 Data Source
Data source is the source subject in a research. The source of the story is
novel The Trial or Der Prozess in German by Franz Kafka. It was a novel published
in 1925. The novel is consisted of 271 pages. The Trial was later translated by Willa
and Edwin Muir in 1937.
The story was revolved around a financial chief bank named Josef K. In his
thirtieth birthday, two policemen came and arrested him. Despite being arrested, he
was still able to carry his job and his usual free life. The story continued as Josef met
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The data was chosen because there were few writing explains the connection
between Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial with existentialism. The Trial was related to
absurdity but there is a little research about it. Another reason is because there is few
writing about existentialism.
1.5.2 Method of Technique and Collecting Data
The paper used documentation method of technique and collecting data.
Documentation is a method which analysed existing document in written form. There
are several advantages in documentation. The advantages were availability of
document, give better background for research, data source of history research and
the data validity can be checked.
There were some steps to collect the data. First, there was comprehensive and
intensive reading to know the idea of The Trial. Next, the main character of The Trial
was analysed. The other step was to find the component of novel and later related it to
existentialism.
1.5.3 Method and Technique of Analysing Data
There were two technique in analysing data; quantitative and qualitative
analysis. The technique used for this paper would be qualitative analysis. Qualitative
analysis is a method providing information to understand the process of result. The
technique was divided into several steps to analysis the data. The first step was to
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based on the main character inside the data. The last step was to relating between the
interpretation of story and existentialism. In this study, the theories used were
existentialism theory and theory of character.
Kenney (1966) mentioned about steps of analysing novel. First, there should
be identification of novel. The second is analysing the element of novel. Last step is
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE, CONCEPTS, AND
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Literature Review
Literature review is the aspect of study to know about the previous study by
finding, comparing and learning from the errors. The first literature is Feminism
Literary Criticism in Novel Imra’ Ah ‘Inda Nuqthah Al-Shifr Karya Nawal
Al-Saadawi (Ummah: 2009). This paper explains about literary criticism through
feminism ideology. The strength of this paper is information and fact about feminism.
The weakness is lack of connection between the story and feminism. The relevance of
the paper with this study is both based on sociology study.
The second paper reviewed was by Agustini in 2012 She give the description
of main character in feminism aspect through paper Feminism Portrayed In The Main
Character, Celie, In Walker’s The Color Purple. The strength of her work is giving a
lot of explanation in the book based on feminism. The weakness is less concepts
about feminism. The paper is relevance because it was based on main character.
The third paper was The Analogic Qualities of John Gardner’s Grendel
Explores The Novel Grendel which represent atheistic existentialism idea by Swanson
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existentialism. The weakness of this work is no explanation about concept of
existentialism. The similarity to this study is relating existentialism to literature.
An international journal is also reviewed in the study. The journal review was
Existentialism in Two Plays of Jean-Paul Sartre (Mart: 2012). This journal has
strength on explanation and strong concept in existentialism. The weakness is lack of
literature example from the two plays of Jean-Paul Sartre. The similarity of this study
is the main topic about existentialism related to the literature.
There are some similarity and difference from the previous study. The
similarity is the study based on ideology. The differences are the data source and the
theory. This research took the data from novel by Franz Kafka The Trial. The theory
from the previous study is feminism and the paper uses existentialism. The theories
used in this paper are theory of existentialism and theory of character.
2.2 Concept
2.2.1 Concept of Novel
Novel is a form of written literature. It is one of extended fictional prose
narrative. The word novel came from Italian word “Novella”. It is used to describe a
popular story during medieval period. Novels started expanding in 18th century
because of demand from the middle class. More people were able to read and buy
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A novel usually revolves around characters in social situation. Novel is
known for its emphasis on characters. It gives entertainment and better perception in
facing life’s problem. In modern life, novels are written in every subject and themes.
Novel has several elements building it. The elements are plot, character, setting,
theme and language.
2.2.2 Concept of Existentialism
Existentialism comes from the word existence. According Jean Phillipe
Deranty (2009) in his article, existence indicates about human’s life in the world,
which is different from other beings. Panza and Gale (2008, 28) state that
existentialism is a philosophy that makes a human life authentically possible to be
meaningless (absurd). A human is always free and will be using his freedom. The
conclusion, existentialism is an idea of philosophy which deals with individual
existence, emotion, freedom, action responsibilities and thoughts.
Existentialism is a philosophical approach to understand human existence and
experiences. It can be understood as using existentialism principle and ideological
discourse. An individual are free to choose but have responsibility on it. Therefore,
people is not victim of circumstances because they pick the choice by themselves.
Existentialism is an ideology concerning about human life in existence,
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existentialism flourished Europe. Exitentialism was reaction against bad act of
humanity using religion symbol. It was a revolt and resistance to church. In the rising
it is signifies a conjuncture between the region and unusual degree dominance of
ideology. Historical events like devastation of World War I, economic collapse in
1920’s and 1930’s, and the horor of World War II gave disatissfaction and raised
existentialism much further. This philosophy finally reached it peak in the 1940’s.
Existentialism does not have vivid philosophy standing and part of contrast
idea of concept. It come from scholars and writers like Jean Paul Sartre (1905- 1980),
Friedrich Nietzsche (1884-1900), Albert Camus (1913- 1960), Martin Heidegeer
(1889-1976) and Simone de Beauvoir (1908- 1986). Søren Kierkegaard (1813- 1855)
is considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. Sartre and Camus contributed
in the literature through novelist and play. Both influenced literature with
existentialism.
Existentialism is the opposite of Transcendentalism. It is a philosophical
doctrine about freedom of human being based on choice. There is no absolute value
outside the man itself. Meanwhile, transcendentalism adopted a connection with
spiritual doctrine. Trancendentalism believed that community corrupted an
individual. This philosophy believed an individual is at their best when they were
independent and rely on themselves. While both pholosophy believe in one man
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2.3 Theoretical Framework
The theories are used in this paper are theory of literature and theory of
existentialism. Literary criticism use applicant of theory of literature to know the
elements building the story. The elements will help interpretation of story and
relating it to existentialism literary criticism.
2.3.1 Theory of Existentialism
Existentialism is a philosophy about individual existence, freedom and choice.
It is concerned about the meaning of life and finding self through free will, choice,
and personal responsibility. Existentialism’s belief is about identity search based on
choice, experience and outlook. A person is free to choose but has responsibilities of
their choice. This theory is cited from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy by
Douglas Burnham and George Papandreopoulos. There are several common concepts
related to existentialism;
2.3.1.1 Philosophy As A Way of Life
In existentialism, philosophy becomes a part of human life. It is not
something to be investigated or understand. This point is usually made by Sartre.
There are several ways to manifest philosophy as the way of life. First, the
existentialist undertakes a critique in modern life in term of any specialisation labour,
included philosophy. Second is immanence where people study philosophy from
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of experience. This experience is not an idea, proposision or symbol. In existence, it
has to be acted, felt and lived. Third, the idea of life is an eternal concern for
existentialist together with the death.
2.3.1.2 Anxiety and Authenticity
Human have their own existence which is recognized through anxiety.
Kierkegaard (2005) states anxiety has two implications. First is about emotion or
feeling is less related to an individual or separated existence. Second is anxiety as
form of existence of its own. This means feeling anxiety of the existence itself. The
feeling of anxiety gives a possibility of practical self- identification. This means that
uniqueness and characteristic of human existence is hard to understand in terms of
other kinds of existence (Heidegger and Sartre). Meanwhile, authenticity is someone
true character despite the external pressure and other influence. It is recognizing and
affirming the nature of existence. It means one should become themselves, not as
"one" acts or as "one's genes" or any other essence requires. According to
Kierkegaard, authenticity is an individual find authentic faith and become themselves.
2.3.1.3 Freedom
Freedom in existentialism defines as man has complete freedom to
determining his own fate. However, freedom in here entails with responsibility. This
means that there is a limit in freedom. This means that freedom is binding of oneself
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Human makes rational decision despite the meaningless world. The decision usually
has meaning for an individual.
2.3.1.4 Absurdity
The most idea associated with existentialism is absurdity. It is a term
describes a world without meaning. The meaningless also cover the meaning of
amorality and unfairness in the world. At any point, bad thing can happen to
everyone. This absurdity has related to many literature works from Søren
Kierkegaard, Samuel Beckett, Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Eugène Ionesco,
Luigi Pirandello, Jean-Paul Sartre, Joseph Heller and Albert Camus.
2.3.1.5 Existence
Existentialism root come from the word of existence itself. In the
existentialism, the point is concerned about “human existence”, not anything else.
The difference between human existences than the other existence is shown by action.
Human being has a necessity to do an action and the result of the action proves the
existence of human. This means human existence is determined by their action. This
idea was brought by Nietzsche and Sartre.
2.3.1.6Situatedness
Situatedness is taking point of view of life and existence. Human has a
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A notion in philosophical genesis in Hegel states about freedom. While
freedom is absolute, it always takes place in certain context. Characteristics, body,
circumstances in historical world and past were considered to be weigh to freedom.
Suppose a person tried to be existed as free, while pretending being abstract from
situation. In that case, people will have no idea about choice and open possibilities in
current situation. Therefore, a freedom will only be an illusory.
It means human existence supposed to be free in certain situation. This
freedom lead to possibility of choice and it cannot exist in abstract. That part make
human freedom becomes meaningful. In short, situatedness is a necessity of
understanding life and existence from inside by knowing the situation.
2.3.1.7 The Crowd
The crowd means public opinion on vague sense in the world. Kierkegaard,
Nietzche, Heidgeer and Sartre mention this ons their work. The crowd in
existentialism is a lie. It blocks individual preference and desires. This is because
public opinion has a standard and how everything is considered accepted. Instead of
forming own authenticity, any form of value is accepted because “This is what
everyone else doing”. This making everyone becomes identical and no requirement
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2.3.2 Theory of Character
Wellek and Warren (1977: 90) in the study Theory of Character states about
three aspects of the character; physiological, psychological and sociological.
Physiological is approached with physical features of the characters. The examples
are sex, age, appearance, feature, etc. Psychological can be analysed through
character personality, attitude, feeling, state of mental, etc. Sociological is learned
based on the social background of character like working environment, social
activities, relationship with others, etc.
2.3.2.1 Physiological Aspect
Physiological aspect is an aspect dimension about physical appearance of
character like sex, age, eyes, skin colour, hair, face, etc. This aspect can give the
reader an idea about appearance of character.
2.3.2.2 Psychological Aspect
Psychological aspect can be observed through the psychological background
as in the behaviour, mentality, ego, personality, emotion, attitude, etc. It analyses the
character from psychological point of view and gives inner explanation about
character. This aspect reflects the qualities of character and study the daily activity
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2.3.3.3 Sociological Aspect
According to Warren and Wellek (1973: 102), literature occurs only in a
social context as a part of a culture. Every work of literatures has different
background of society and environment. There is a connection between literature and
society. Literature is derived from certain society it is manifested.
Sociological aspect is concerned about the social background of characters
such as social activity where character is engaged in social interaction and
relationship with others and a social system that existed. This social system consists
of family, politics, economics, education and nationality.
There are three kinds of sociological approach in literature work:
The sociology of the writer and profession and institution of literature, the
status of writer and his/her social ideology.
The sociology of literature work: the problem of social content, the
implication and social purpose of the literature work themselves.
The sociology of audience: the problem of the actual social influence of
literature (Warren and Wellek, 1937: 91)
The analysis is supported by Tarigan (1985: 132). Character is imaginary
people that writers create, sometimes identifying them and judging them. There are
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1) Physical description which is came from character
2) Conscious thought or portrayal of stream. This means describing the way
of character or what character is thinking inside their head.
3) Reaction to event is how the character is reacting to certain event.
4) Discussion of environment is description about other opinion towards
other character.
5) Reaction of other about the character is opinion of other character toward
main character.
6) Conversation of other characters means other character in the story talk
about the main character situation.
Kenney (1966) explaining how to analyse fiction especially character. Most of
reader tends to expect people or characters in fiction to be similar to the people in life.
No matter what kind of artificial character is made, reader expect character to be
natural. However, it is usual if artificial character does not represent reality as human
in real life. This problem gives hard understanding a character for a reader. Unlike
human being, fictional character is never entirely free and is part of artistic which
