The Wizard of Oz and Kafka’a The Trial are distant cousins: find ten plot or character or function similarities

“The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum and “The Trial” by Franz Kafka are indeed distinct works with different tones and themes. However, we can still identify some plot, character, and functional similarities between the two stories, albeit in a more abstract or conceptual manner. Here are ten points of comparison:

Act 1 – Setup:

• Mundane Beginnings: Both stories start with seemingly ordinary situations that quickly transform into unexpected and extraordinary journeys. In both stories, the protagonists (Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” and Josef K. in “The Trial”) embark on unexpected journeys that disrupt their normal lives. The concept of “mundane beginnings” serves as a narrative device in both “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Trial,” effectively setting the stage for the protagonists’ transformative journeys. In both stories, the initial settings appear commonplace and ordinary, but they act as the catalysts that propel the characters into extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances.
• “The Wizard of Oz”: The story opens in rural Kansas, where young Dorothy resides on her aunt and uncle’s farm. This initial setting represents a typical, everyday life that’s familiar to readers. Dorothy’s ordinary existence includes her family, her pet dog Toto, and the routines of farm life. The black-and-white depiction of Kansas adds to the sense of normalcy.
• “The Trial”: In “The Trial,” the narrative begins with Josef K. waking up in his apartment. This portrayal of a mundane, urban existence introduces readers to the routine of his life as a banker. His initial interactions with his landlady and the sudden arrest by warders in his own home are unexpected and unsettling, disrupting the ordinary rhythm of his days.
• Transformation and Disruption: In both stories, the protagonists’ lives are disrupted by sudden and extraordinary events:
• In “The Wizard of Oz,” a tornado transports Dorothy’s house to the fantastical Land of Oz. This sudden and unexpected upheaval marks the beginning of her extraordinary journey to find her way back home.
• In “The Trial,” Josef K.’s arrest thrusts him into the Kafkaesque world of an opaque and labyrinthine legal system. This event shatters his sense of security and plunges him into a nightmarish reality.
• Themes and Narrative Arcs: The mundane beginnings serve as a sharp contrast to the adventures that follow, highlighting the transformative nature of the protagonists’ journeys. This device not only engages the reader’s attention but also emphasizes the themes of:
• Escapism and longing for something more (Dorothy’s desire to escape her mundane life).
• The arbitrary and inexplicable nature of fate (Josef K.’s sudden arrest).
• Narrative Engagement: Starting with seemingly ordinary situations draws readers into the story by creating relatable entry points. As the story quickly diverges into unexpected and fantastical territories, readers become emotionally invested in the characters’ challenges and growth.
• Overall, these mundane beginnings act as springboards for the protagonists’ extraordinary journeys, serving as a critical element in the structure and impact of both “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Trial.”
• Guides with Hidden Agendas: Characters with hidden motives or agendas provide guidance to the protagonists in both stories. (Similarity 2) In “The Wizard of Oz,” the Wizard himself is revealed to have his own goals and limitations. Similarly, characters like the lawyer and Titorelli in “The Trial” guide Josef K. through a confusing process, but their true intentions remain obscure.
• Symbolic Landscapes: The symbolic landscapes of the Yellow Brick Road and the labyrinthine city streets are introduced as pathways the protagonists must navigate. (Similarity 3) The Yellow Brick Road in “The Wizard of Oz” and the labyrinthine streets of the city in “The Trial” both serve as symbolic pathways that the protagonists must navigate. These landscapes mirror the challenges and choices they face. The journeys of both protagonists can be seen as symbolic explorations of psychological or existential states. Dorothy’s journey represents growth and self-discovery, while Josef K.’s journey delves into the absurdity of bureaucracy and the human condition.
• Search for redemption: Dorothy’s companions on her journey (Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion) each seek something they lack, which can be interpreted as a search for personal redemption. Similarly, Josef K. seeks redemption or vindication within the legal system.
• Mysterious Guides: Dorothy’s journey is guided by characters such as Glinda the Good Witch and the Scarecrow, while Josef K. encounters figures like the priest, the lawyer, and Titorelli, who offer guidance in the bewildering world of bureaucracy.
• Elusive Authority Figures: Elusive authority figures, like the Wizard in Oz and the legal authorities in “The Trial,” are established as figures of power and control. (Similarity 4) Characters such as the Wizard of Oz and the legal authorities in “The Trial” are enigmatic and potentially deceitful figures who hold power over the protagonists. Both narratives explore the ambiguity of authority figures. In Oz, the Wizard is initially presented as a powerful figure, but he’s revealed to be a mere man behind a curtain. Similarly, the legal authorities in “The Trial” are shadowy figures with unclear motives.

Act 2 – Confrontation:

5. Bureaucratic : Both narratives involve the protagonists encountering complex and bureaucratic systems that hinder their progress (the legal system in “The Trial” and the land of Oz in “The Wizard of Oz”)
6. Unpredictable settings: Both stories feature settings that are characterized by their unpredictability and surreal elements. In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy enters a fantastical land with unusual landscapes and inhabitants. Similarly, in “The Trial,” Josef K. navigates a surreal urban environment filled with bewildering occurrences.
7. Frustration and Futility: Both protagonists face obstacles and frustration in their attempts to achieve their goals. (Similarity 5) Both protagonists encounter frustration and futility in their quests. Dorothy’s attempts to return home are met with obstacles, while Josef K.’s efforts to understand his trial often result in confusion and contradictory information.
8. Parallel Realities: The protagonists’ journeys introduce parallel realities that challenge their perceptions of the world. (Similarity 6) The realm of Oz and the legal proceedings in “The Trial” can be interpreted as parallel realities that mirror and comment on the protagonists’ real lives. These alternative worlds challenge the characters’ perceptions and beliefs.
9. Themes of Alienation: Themes of alienation become more pronounced as Dorothy and Josef K. struggle to fit into their respective environments. (Similarity 9) Both protagonists experience a sense of alienation as they struggle to fit into the strange environments they find themselves in. Both protagonists experience a sense of alienation from the worlds they find themselves in. Dorothy feels alone and distant from Kansas, while Josef K. grapples with a growing sense of isolation as he navigates the labyrinthine legal system.
10. Surreal Encounters: Surreal encounters with unusual characters occur as both protagonists progress through their journeys. (Similarity 8)
    • Surreal encounters in literature refer to interactions or events that defy the norms of reality and logic, often taking on a dreamlike or bizarre quality. These encounters are characterized by their unusual, unexpected, and sometimes unsettling nature. Surrealism is a literary and artistic movement that aims to explore the irrational and unconscious aspects of the human mind, often using surreal encounters to challenge conventional storytelling and provoke emotional and psychological responses from the reader.
    • In the context of “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Trial,” both stories feature surreal encounters that contribute to the overall themes and atmosphere of the narratives:
    • “The Wizard of Oz”: In “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy’s journey through the land of Oz is marked by surreal encounters with various characters and situations. For instance:
    • Talking Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion: Dorothy meets these anthropomorphic characters on her way to the Emerald City. These characters, representing intelligence, compassion, and courage respectively, challenge her understanding of reality by having human-like traits.
    • The Wicked Witch: The witch’s sudden appearance and magical powers introduce a fantastical and surreal element into the story, creating an atmosphere of tension and danger.
    • The Flying Monkeys: These creatures serve the Wicked Witch and disrupt Dorothy’s journey. Their appearance and behavior add a layer of strangeness and unpredictability to the narrative.
    • “The Trial”: In “The Trial,” Josef K.’s encounters within the bureaucratic and absurd legal system are filled with surreal elements that contribute to the story’s disorienting atmosphere:
    • The Arrest: Josef K.’s arrest without a clear explanation or proper process sets the tone for the surreal and arbitrary nature of the legal proceedings that follow
    • The Court Painter: The artist’s bizarre behavior and disregard for traditional artistic practices during Josef K.’s trial add a surreal touch to the courtroom scenes
    • The Cathedral: In one scene, Josef K. visits a cathedral where he encounters a priest engaged in an enigmatic dialogue. The cathedral’s atmosphere and the priest’s cryptic words contribute to the story’s surreal and philosophical undertones.
    • Titorelli: The court painter Titorelli’s advice to Josef K. is both practical and surreal, further blurring the lines between the real and the absurd.

Surreal encounters in both stories serve multiple purposes:

• They challenge the characters’ perceptions of reality and the world they inhabit.
• They create a sense of disorientation and unease, mirroring the characters’ emotional states.
• They contribute to the themes of alienation, absurdity, and the search for meaning in both narratives.
• They invite readers to interpret the events on symbolic or metaphorical levels, allowing for deeper exploration of the stories’ themes.

Overall, surreal encounters in literature add depth, complexity, and a sense of wonder to the narrative, prompting readers to question their assumptions and engage with the story on a more imaginative and thought-provoking level.

Act 2 Part B – Resolution:

9. Uncertainty and Ambiguity: Uncertainty and ambiguity about the true nature of events persist for both Dorothy and Josef K. as they reach critical junctures in their stories. (Similarity 9) Both narratives deal with themes of fear and uncertainty, whether it’s Dorothy’s fear of the unknown or Josef K.’s anxiety about the legal process. Both narratives thrive on uncertainty. In Oz, the characters’ belief in the Wizard’s power is uncertain, while Josef K.’s understanding of the trial process remains unclear throughout “The Trial.”
10. Search for Meaning in Absurdity: Themes of searching for meaning in the face of absurdity become central as both protagonists strive to make sense of their experiences. (Similarity 10)Both Dorothy and Josef K. find themselves searching for meaning and a sense of purpose as they navigate unfamiliar and confusing worlds. Both Dorothy and Josef K. face existential quests for meaning in their respective worlds, searching for explanations and significance amidst the chaos and confusion they encounter.
11. Themes of Absurdity: The themes of absurdity become more pronounced as the protagonists’ stories progress and they encounter increasingly bizarre situations. (Similarity 10)Both stories touch on themes of absurdity. “The Wizard of Oz” presents absurd and nonsensical situations, and “The Trial” embodies the Kafkaesque sense of absurdity through its convoluted bureaucracy and events that defy rational explanation.

Act 3 – Conclusion:

12. Search for Redemption: The characters’ quests for personal redemption become more relevant as they near the conclusion of their journeys. (Similarity 9)
13. Quest for Home or Resolution: Both narratives culminate in quests for resolution, whether it’s Dorothy’s desire to return home or Josef K.’s search for closure within the legal proceedings. (Similarity 10)
14. Transformation and Change: Both protagonists undergo significant personal transformations as they encounter challenges and characters along their journeys. (Similarity 7) Transformation and Change: Both Dorothy and Josef K. undergo personal transformations as they encounter various challenges and characters, leading to shifts in their perspectives and understanding of the world.
15. The Futility of Control: In both narratives, the protagonists struggle against forces beyond their control. Dorothy tries to control her journey home but realizes she can’t do it alone. Josef K. attempts to understand and navigate the legal system, but its complexities undermine his efforts.
16. Loss of Innocence: Both Dorothy and Josef K. experience a loss of innocence as they confront the darker, more complex aspects of the worlds they enter. Dorothy’s initially idyllic perception of Oz is shattered by its challenges, and Josef K. becomes aware of the Kafkaesque absurdity of his situation.
17. Quest for Identity:

Both protagonists grapple with questions of identity. Dorothy seeks her identity as she interacts with various characters, each representing different aspects of herself. Josef K. questions his role and identity in relation to the law and society.