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The Trial is a classic novel of existentialism and an allegory on totalitarianism by Franz Kafka. Summary of the Book Josef K., a respectable bank officer, is arrested suddenly. He is offered no reasons as to his charge, and he must defend himself at court. He is only informed that his situation is extremely dire and hopeless. The ensuing trial, and the circumstances of his arrest showcase Kafka’s affinity to churn out a tale that can evoke the darkest corridors of the human psyche. The story is considered to be a satirical allegory, a prophetic parable on the excesses of modern bureaucracy and its affiliation to totalitarian ideals, and a tale on existentialism. About Franz Kafka Franz Kafka was a German-language writer. Born in Prague, Kafka studied to become a lawyer and wrote stories in his spare time. Kafka is best recognized for writing the short stories The Metamorphosis and A Hunger Artist. Media Note This story was adapted into a film by Orson Welles in 1962.