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Illustrated portrait of The Prison Chaplain

A character in The Trial

The Prison Chaplain

The priest in the cathedral identifies himself as the prison chaplain and tells Josef that his case is going badly.

The book

Cover of The Trial by Franz Kafka
The TrialFranz Kafka, 1925

A man is arrested without a charge and trapped inside rules controlled by authorities who refuse to explain them.

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Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

The priest in the cathedral identifies himself as the prison chaplain and tells Josef that his case is going badly. He recites “Before the Law” and then argues through several interpretations without choosing one. He offers understanding without rescue. After their conversation, Josef leaves the cathedral and continues toward the ending the priest has helped him recognize.

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