The Trial

Main Characters and Their Development

• Josef K. - the main character, a bank clerk who is unexpectedly arrested on unknown charges. Throughout the novel, he tries to find out why he was arrested and how he can clear his name, but never gains clarity on the matter. The character undergoes numerous trials and encounters with various figures of the judicial system, seeking answers. His story ends tragically.
• Willem - a friend of Josef K., who tries to help him cope with the legal process, in some way attempting to be his defender, but his efforts mostly prove futile.
• Frau Grubach - the landlady of the house where Josef K. lives. She is loyal to K., expresses her support, and tries to help him with her advice.
• Fraulein Bürstner - Josef K.'s neighbor, a young woman with whom he had a brief romantic interaction. Her role in K.'s life and trial is ambiguous and opens up the theme of personal relationships under persecution.
• Lawyer Huld - the lawyer whom Josef K. consults for help with his case. He instills hope in K. for a successful outcome, but his actions often seem pointless and show no real progress in the legal process.
• Inspector - one of the first characters Josef K. encounters after his arrest. The inspector announces his detention but does not provide a clear explanation of the reasons.