Josef K’s uncle Albert introduces him to his colleague, a lawyer named Herr Huld. The latter is sickly and is cared by a home nurse called Leni. She is infatuated by Josef K and calls him out of her employer’s room, to talk to him and seduce him. Leni leads Josef to a dark room and sits on his lap.

Leni told Josef that she saw he stared at her all the time. That could be why she gained confidence to smash a plate outside Herr Huld’s room, in order to draw Josef’s attention to come out of the room. (Kafka, p. 84)

Leni showed him her webbed right hand. Her second finger and ring finger were connected by her skin membrane, which made them look like two webbed fingers. (Kafka, p. 87)

Leni was despearte to attract Josef and showed him this. He was intrigued by the freak of nature. He kissed her hand and this made Leni bolder. Leni proclaimed that Josef changed his attitude towards Elsa, his professed girlfriend.

“Now you belong to me”, she said. (Kafka, p. 88)

She kissed him, and gave him her boss’ house key, so that he could return anytime, to see her.

Josef and Leni had completed their delicate and intricate “dance” that linked them romantically together.

I’m kind of sceptical about Josef K’s attitude towards women. He was attracted to Elsa, a type of barmaid who works at the local tavern. Then Josef fell for Miss Burstner, his fellow boardinghouse mate who rents a room near his room. When Josef met the court usher’s wife, he was also attracted to her buxom figure. Leni is the fourth woman who he likes.

In his defence, I have to mention that although Leni gave him her house key, which is actually Herr Huld’s house key, he did not visit to see her. Josef only saw Leni when he went to see the advocate Herr Huld. Leni would take the opportunity to secretly hold Josef’s hand behind Herr Huld’s back. (Kafka, p. 99)

Related posts:

• The main review is at https://booksreviewsandmore.com/kafkas-the-trial-was-inspired-by-women/