Colour and Light, Illness and Death: A New Interpretation of Kafka’s Der Proceß

This work explores an original interpretation of Franz Kafka’s novel, Der Proceß (The Trial), which argues that the novel is in the form of a series of dreams, dreamt by a man who has been stricken with a serious illness. The thesis presents detailed evidence to show that the novel is intended to be a transcript of the dreams of the protagonist, Josef K., and that K. is suffering from tuberculosis, a fact which both gives rise to and shapes his dreams. The thesis also discusses the special role of art, literature and colour, which have a notable effect on the way the illness manifests itself in the dreams. In arguing this interpretation the author explodes a number of myths about the novel, not least that the world of Josef K., rather than being dreary and monochrome, is full of beauty and colour.