We began our first full session on this existentialist novella by examining biographical information about the author that informs the novella and by discussing some of his other known works, specifically "The Trial." I provided more contours to Kafka's existentialist views noting the themes of alienation , absurdity, and senselessness of modern existence. From there we studied the first pages locating textual examples illustrating themes of lack of communication /alienation and the acceptance of life's absurdity .