The Trial

In Kafka's novel The Trial, K. and the usher go into the attic offices of the court. While in the offices, K. meets the person, who could have altered his entire trial if he had not taken ill. This man's job is to "give information out" and "has an answer to every question (51)". Before this, K. has searched for answers in the judge's books and in the trial's first examination by his oratory. However, at this point, he does not realize how close he is to solving his mysterious crime. This man gives answers away, yet K. asks none. He cannot ask a single question because the oppressive nature of the offices overwhelm him. He becomes so intensely sick that he must be hauled into the fresh air. Immediately, he regains his strength. However, he may have lost the only opportunity to obtain any real answers about his mystery crime and trial.