To address the paradoxes of eroticism and the human desire for intimacy in the Process, it is important to recognize the constant theme of slavery (in the classic master/slave sense). Without this undercurrent of power and servitude, it is impossible to define Joseph K.'s apparent need or desire to engage (intimately or socially) with women such as Mrs. Burstner, Mrs. Grubach, Leni, and the court laundress. It should also be noted that the dreamlike state in which Kafka portrays the story is important in allowing these somewhat "fetishized" situations to occur. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay A central issue in K's relationships with these women is that he often seeks out women who will help him in some way. It could be to relieve boredom and provide information (Leni), to pass the time (Elsa), to give him information and/or help regarding his case (the washerwoman), or to provide him with sexual gratification (all of the above?). In fact, K. even seems to reflect on it on page 107, when he meets Leni for the first time after she breaks the plate to get his attention: "'I'm recruiting helpers,' he thought, almost amazed: 'first Mrs. Burstner, then the wife of the court usher, and now this little nurse who seems to have an inexplicable longing for me.'" This realization doesn't seem to bother him, but only makes him wonder at the coincidence. But for the reader, especially after a second reading, this fact presents itself as one of the biggest questions of the book: what relationship do these women have with K.'s fight against the court? How are they involved in the process and to what extent? What is their meaning for K., both on an emotional level and through the collection of some physical or material object or act? In an attempt to explore some of these questions, it is best to go chronologically from the time K. meets each of these female characters, starting with K.'s relationship with Frl. Grubach, his landlady. Although they do not appear to have ever been intimately involved, they appear to have a close relationship and the reader gets the idea that K. has been living in the boarding house for quite some time. Frl. Grubach is reliable and hardworking and is evidently very fond of K., as we discover during a conversation in which K. comes to visit her regarding Frl. Burstner's room. He says: "he could visit her at any time, he was her best and dearest boarder, as she well knew." But only later does K. find himself in Frl. Burstner, who K. says: "is obliged to me [Frl. Grubach] because he borrowed a large sum from me." This adds a complexity to their relationship that wasn't seen during their initial conversation and she seemed like his gracious hostess who wanted "his happiness." K.'s relationship with Frl. Grubach is evidence of the master/slave relationship theme, like Frl. Grubach serves K. throughout the book because of the money he owes him. K. is also seen as "the punisher" in this relationship as he doesn't seem to care about her feelings when he lashes out at her for her remarks about Frl. Burstner. This punitive role that K. takes on is stated on page 26 when K. "thought for a moment about punishing Mrs. Grubach by getting Mrs. Burstner to join him in giving the warning." While this is not physical punishment, he uses mind games as punishment with characters he feels superior to. This issue of K's supposed superiority is an important element in his personality. Therefore, when he considers himself above someone, he acts accordingly, regardless of their feelings and appearing not to care about the outcome of his actions. K.'s games with Frl. Grubach are proof of this. It should also be noted thatFrl. Grubach does not have an important role in the heart of the story, but as time passes she appears less likable, not only to the reader, but perhaps also to K.. She takes on the role of "observer" and is always in retirement. She actually becomes quite pitiful when she expresses her great relief when K. starts talking to her again on page 236 when she brings him breakfast: "...you don't know how much I have suffered in the last few days! That I would slander my boarders! And you you thought, Mr. K.!" She is now in tears and K. begs her not to cry while he is thinking of something completely different. At this point it's easy to see her as a little obsessive and maybe even a little shady. After all, he knows all the comings and goings of the pension and cannot be completely trusted. In this sense it can be said that the Frl. Grubach embodies the Court. Omnipresent, something to live with that judges and supervises. She is almost maternal, but not protective, indeed reserved. Kafka provides no real evidence of this, but it is rather implied based on character judgments the reader may make throughout the book. Everyone seems to know about K.'s status as a defendant (especially Frl. Grubach). Burstner seems to be the only woman K. thinks seriously about, and since he seems only interested in getting things from women, the reader wonders exactly what he wants from Frl. Burstner. Could it be purely physical? Could it be separated from the trial documents? He treats her very differently than Leni. For example, Kafka uses descriptive language to describe her appearance and physical actions to a greater extent than when Leni is introduced. And, although it may seem trivial, when Frl. Burstner is first introduced appearing seductive in small ways: "Fraulein Burstner invited him again in a low voice to her room." The word "sweetly" is used unusually and has not yet appeared in the description of any other characters or actions. Furthermore, he "crossed his legs slightly", thus giving the impression of Frl. Burstner is sexy and inviting, but rebuffs K.'s advances. This is the first and only woman who has power over K. (aside from perhaps the elusive Elsa) and he seems to find her compelling. Subsequently he takes it in a somewhat energetic and impulsive, almost ferocious way. «'I'm coming,' said K., ran out, grabbed her, kissed her on the mouth, then all over her face, like a thirsty animal lapping at a spring that it has finally found." To the reader it appears to be an almost violent outburst of passion and makes K. seem vulnerable and susceptible to acting purely out of physical needs (shades of Mersault come to mind). So initially it seems that K. only wants to obtain sexual gratification from Frl. Burstner, as no other type of attraction is mentioned. Frl. Burstner, however, tells him that he will be working at a law firm and wants to help him. This immediately raises the question of whether he is involved with Frl. Burstner to get his help. His importance to K. is also difficult to ascertain, for when he appears at the end one wonders what his involvement in the trial is. The character of Frl. Burstner represents the Court in its elusiveness, its lack of meaning, of being understood, or captured and kept watching. It is important to include Elsa as well, as she is an important character to help shed light on K.'s relationships with women. Although she is only mentioned a few times and does not seem to play a major role in K.'s life, she represents a truth about K.. Joseph K. never seems to have a real "girlfriend", only women who come to him and are attracted to him for some unknown reason. With Elsa the reader has the impression that this rule is broken: that he has come to Elsa. She hints that she is a barmaid by night and a prostitute by day, as she "only receives visitors in bed". It's simply about someone else referred toK. uses it to satisfy a particular need, namely sex. Later in the story, after K. had had a conflict with the bandy-legged student, K. "imagined how funny it would be, for example, to see this miserable student, this bloated child, this bearded, bandy-legged fellow, kneeling next to Elsa's bed, clutching each other's hands and begging for mercy." The implication is once again that of a slave/master relationship. it seems that K. has a particular liking for women who are in a certain sense "above him". Women who don't throw themselves at his feet, like Leni and the wife of the washerwoman/court usher. He feels superior to most people and may have a brain/physical need to be submissive (sexually speaking) without emotional attachment This would explain his impulses and thoughts about going to see Elsa: he only mentions going to see her when he he feels his obsession with Frl is "above" people or his situation. Burstner as she is shy and plays with her desire by being elusive but discreetly seductive (in his apartment) all the while "stroking her side" while she sits on the couch (p. 30). who is already at his service with something to offer him without any worry, as if he could easily do without it (Leni, Frl. Grubach, the wife of the court usher, and also Frl. Montag, although K. feels disgusted by his physical appearance and behavior). This dominance versus submission is part of K.'s life not only with women, but also with the court. There are times when he is at the top and powerful and times when he is lost, dejected and can think of nothing but the Court. Leni is a rather strange and impenetrable character. She "happens to be" the lawyer's nurse and is conveniently there to meet K.. She is childlike not only in her appearance ("she had a round, doll-like face, pale cheeks and a chin that formed a circle completed by the temples and forehead") but also in his actions. For example, she attracts K.'s attention by banging a plate against the wall in the hope that he will come out. In this sense he has complete contempt for K's tracks, but at other times he seems to try to help him by giving him advice and information about the judges. His need and desire for K. is selfish as it is revealed that he finds all the defendants attractive. K.'s desire and need for her is also selfish, motivated both by lust and by the information she can provide him. K. seems to be able to do without her, but it seems that she gives a break to the lawyer's long speeches about the senseless judicial system. For example «the only welcome interruption during these visits was Leni, who always knew how to organize things in such a way as to serve the lawyer tea in K.'s presence. Then she stood behind K., apparently observing the lawyer while she bowed deeply over the cup... she let K. secretly take her hand... Leni sometimes dared to gently stroke K.'s hair." (page 123). It seems that this was Leni's purpose... to serve K. physically and provide him with some information still continues the master/slave theme: Leni, serving her older master, K., who in turn is serving his master, the Court, and the lawyer who serves as the rope by which they are both tied. In discussing the role of slavery and servitude, the scene with Block and the lawyer that begins on page 190 is an excellent example. encounter, puts these situations into context.) In this scene all roles are reversed or intensified. Block is forced by the lawyer (and his own needs) to behave like a trained animal for the lawyer. There is something very fetish in this scene. The lawyer is.231)