The Judgement is a short story portraying the relationship between the protagonist and his father. The protagonist Georg Bendemann runs a business, which is doing well. He is seen writing a letter to his friend. A friend who is in Russia, with whom he is not in touch regularly. Georg is engaged and is not sure whether he wants to inform his friend, but his fiancé insists on it.
He goes and informs his father about it, who is still mourning his wife’s death. The father is a very overpowering figure. He is quite upset and insults the son. The son is very loving and empathetic.
I read somewhere that Kafka and his father had a similar relationship and probably that made him write such a story.
Relationships are always tough, and it is beautifully portrayed in The Judgement as well Metamorphosis. It is very difficult if parents do not understand their children well and only have certain expectations of them.
The ending of metamorphosis, as well as the Judgement, is heart-breaking.
It is an easy read, a must-read, it's KAFKA!!!