Chapter 8

Summary

K. decides to withdraw his case from the lawyer, Huld. He wants to do it facing him in person, watch his reaction and then decide when he knocks at the door some stranger (Block) opens the door, dressed improperly. He is a client of the lawyer's. Leni is busy as usual, making soup for the lawyer. K. suspects that block is Leni's lover. Leni thinks that K. is jealous of block. Block is a grain dealer. He says that Huld has been his lawyer for more then five years. He (Huld) handles both civil and criminal cases. Block has several lawyers to handle his case. He has lost a lot of money and a great deal of his energy in the case. Block also says that he was present in the courts during K.'s trial. People in the court are superstitious and looking at K.'s determined expression they think that his case will not turn out well. He also says that superstitious are increasing in the modern age though they are traditional Block says that all the petitions he had made them out to be useless. Since they are written in Latin block could understand very little. The interviews conducted by the lawyer are just a routine exercise. The court messengers visit Dr. Huld often. He also informs him about "great lawyers". Leni treats Block as if he is related. She seems to be too familiar with Block and thus irritates K.

Though ordinary lawyers go through endless, boring procedures great lawyers are unreachable. Again K. is larger in size, physically than Block. Height gives him a sense of superiority. Leni warns K. against trusting Block. The lawyer ignores Block and stalls all the interviews, while Block sleeps in the maid's room. This is disgusting to K.'s mind. He suddenly feels like getting rid of Leni and the lawyers. The thought of sharing Leni with Block disgusts him. Block wants K. to trade one of his secrets with him. She tries to physically stops K. from dismissing the lawyer.

Table of Contents | Printable Version