# Willem — The Trial character guide

> Willem in The Trial by Franz Kafka.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-chapter-one-arrest-conversation-with-mrs-grubach-then-miss-b-rstner

## Who they are

One of the warders who arrests Josef K. at the start of the story.

## Relationships

### [Josef K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/josef_k)

_rivalry_

Willem is one of the warders who arrests Josef K., and their relationship is one of antagonism and humiliation from the start.

### [Franz Kafka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/franz_kafka)

_psychological_

Franz Kafka's interaction with Willem reflects the author's own self-critical and absurdist view of authority figures.

### [Franz Kafka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/franz_kafka)

_psychological_

Franz Kafka's interaction with Willem reflects the author's own self-critical and absurdist view of authority figures.

### [Josef K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/josef_k)

_rivalry_

Willem is one of the warders who arrests Josef K., and their relationship is one of antagonism and humiliation from the start.

### [Franz Kafka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/franz_kafka)

_psychological_

Franz Kafka's interaction with Willem reflects the author's own self-critical and absurdist view of authority figures.

### [Josef K.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/josef_k)

_rivalry_

Willem is one of the warders who arrests Josef K., and their relationship is one of antagonism and humiliation from the start.

## In the story

### [Chapter One Arrest—Conversation with Mrs. Grubach—Then Miss Bürstner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/chapters/chapter-one-arrest-conversation-with-mrs-grubach-then-miss-b-rstner)

One of the warders who arrests K.; present during the initial confrontation.

### [Chapter Five: The whip-man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/chapters/chapter-five-the-whip-man)

One of the warders being flogged; pleads with K. for mercy and explains his family situation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters/willem
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_trial_se/characters