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Judgment Theme

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Another problem that causes tightness in family relationships is false. Reading the story "Judgment" readers systematically can face signs of insincerity from both the son and father. The men, in an unparalleled way, led each other by the nose, piling up the conflicts between themselves. George, apparently, seems to be a sensible young man who, after the death of his mother, takes care of his old father, home and business. However, when readers go further into his stories, it turns out that he hides some secrets. Even for George, it evokes different emotions, such as shame. By reading further, the reader finds out from this story, that taking over the initiative in the company was not a sacrifice on George's part, nor even a sense of duty, …show more content…

George, living in hypocrisy and shame, blames himself for cheating and lying to a close friend. Guided by the desire for wealth and glamor, he forgets about more important values in life as love and friendship. His guilt is greater because his friend, knowing George’s earlier situation offers him his selfless help, while George knowing the position of his friend turns his back on him. He presents him the broken versions of his life, leaving his friend in a lurch in a foreign country. He behaves the same way in relation to his father, who suffers after the death of his wife. Instead of helping him find a way to reconcile with the tragedy, he tries to make him a deplorable old man to finally leave him. George apparent concern covers up his selfish quest for purpose. The father is also not without fault in this story. His guilt seems smaller, because he relies on comedy played before his son. This deception was to prove that his own son is a worthless man who only pretends to be good. He wants to prove that George is a man prone to betrayal and egoism to achieve his goal. But ultimately, the father's guilt turns out to be also big when he turns to George in his words, "I sentence you now to death by drowning!” (Kafka 107). These are the worst words that a father can say to his son. After these words, George runs out of the house and heads towards the bridge. The feelings of guilt raised by the father prompted him to the final resolution of the conflict between them - suicide. The last sentence spoken by George, gives some doubts about this situation. George, throwing himself from the bridge, confesses "Dear parents, I have always loved you nonetheless” (Kafka 108). This last sentence was coming from the heart and provoked many questions. Was his guilt greater than guilt of his father? Perhaps George's behavior was the result from the lack of experience and "temporary" perdition of the situation?

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