Ahmad Ismail 3571-FLL/BSENG/S23

Before the Law

Before the law was written by the German author Franz Kafka back in 1915. This piece of work seems a critical satire.
The story has an ending that sends readers into deep thought to analyze the real message of the story. Kafka’s “Before
the Law” is often interpreted as a commentary on the complexity of the legal system, and how it can be difficult for
the average person to navigate .

About Author

Franz Kafka (1883-1924) was a renowned Austrian-Czech writer, widely regarded as one of the most influential and
important writers of the 20th century.He is known for his illogical and perplexing writings .His unique and innovative
literary style, which often explored themes of alienation, absurdity, and the human condition, has had a profound
impact on modern literature. He wrote “Before the Law” in 1915 and added it to “The Trial” in 1925 after his death
He wrote about the powerlessness of individuals. His writing continues to inspire and intrigue readers globally.

Summary

The story starts when a priest narrates the story of a man who appeared before the law. The man was well-dressed
and seemed to have lineage from a remote area. He wanted to enter the law but access was denied by the
gatekeeper. He questioned him about the possibility of entry and he said may be later. The man waited for days
believing he could get entry into the law.

The story runs and every time he is rejected. The man even tried to enter secretly but the guard warned him that he
was strong and the man couldn’t fight him. Further, he said to him that beyond law, there are many halls having
different guards stronger than one another. This thing scared that man.

The man tried to bribe the gatekeeper. He accepted the things by saying hoped he would feel better about his
struggle. The man waited for years and became old believing he’ll gonna get access to the law. He grew old and one
day he was near to his death. He called the gatekeeper and asked some questions although they said the law was for
everyone he hadn’t seen anyone in these years. The story ends on a note when the gatekeeper tells him the door
was made for him all those years to get entry to law and now he’s going to close it.

Analysis

Many people had their own opinions of this story after reading it. As I read this short story, I believe “Law” refers to
goals, destinations, or achievements while the door represents the way and the gatekeeper represents our fear of
failure or not changing ourselves. The man was afraid of that guard who told him he wasn’t going to stand up for
himself. If he took a stand without waiting so long for permission, he simply entered the law.

Further,we can also analyze this story from a religious point of view. The law in the story is also described as light.
You can assume it as a reward for finding God. The door can be a path while the guard that feared us may be our
fears or hurdles that made us far from the creator. If one wanted to get God in life, he should stand bold and face the
guard. If you take this story from a justice point of view, you’ll get an idea of corruption. The man was denied of
access to the law while they say justice is for all. This sometimes shows the dual behavior of society as a whole.

Main points : The story revolves around a man who tries to gain entry into the law but is constantly denied by the
gatekeeper. The man from the country waits for years at the gate, hoping to gain entry into the law. The story is an
allegory that explores themes of power, authority, and the human condition.
Characters : The Man from the Country: The protagonist of the story who seeks access to the law. The Gatekeeper:
The authority figure who denies the man entry into the law.

Plot : A man from the country arrives at a gate that leads to the law.The gatekeeper refuses to grant him entry, but
the man decides to wait . The man spends years at the gate, trying to persuade the gatekeeper to let him in.
Eventually, the man dies at the gate without gaining entry into the law.

Setting : The story takes place in front of a gate that leads to the law. The setting is not specified, but it is implied to
be a bureaucratic and authoritative environment.

Themes

Before the law is a thought is a thought provoking allegory that explores themes of power , authority and human
connection . Main themes that highlight the importance of story are pointed below:

Existentialism and Alienation: The story explores the existential crisis of the protagonist, who is denied access to the
law, highlighting the absurdity of human existence. The man’s futile attempts to enter the law symbolize the search
for meaning and purpose in life. His alienation from the legal system and society reflects the isolation and
disconnection inherent in human existence.

Critique of Legal Systems: The story critiques the complexity, inaccessibility, and bureaucratic nature of legal systems.
The gatekeeper’s refusal to grant entry, despite the man’s repeated attempts, illustrates the arbitrary and opaque
nature of legal authority. Kafka critiques the idea that the law is distant, unaccountable, and often incomprehensible
to the individual.

Symbolism of the Law: The law in the story represents an unattainable and mysterious authority. It symbolizes the
elusive and often unknowable nature of truth, justice, and power. The law is a metaphor for the systems and
structures that govern human life, highlighting the tension between individual desire and institutional barriers.

Futility and Absurdity: The man’s persistent efforts to enter the law, despite constant rejection, illustrate the futility
of human endeavor. The story showcases the absurdity of human existence, where individuals pursue unattainable
goals, only to face disappointment and disillusionment. The man’s ultimate death at the gate underscores the futility
of his quest and the absurdity of human existence.

Additional Themes related to Before the law

In “Before the Law,” Kafka masterfully weaves these themes together, creating a powerful allegory that critiques the
human condition, legal systems, and the search for meaning. The story’s exploration of existentialism, alienation, and
absurdity continues to resonate with readers, offering a profound commentary on the human experience.

Law and Individual: The story portrays a man who seeks access to the law, but he is met with a gatekeeper who
refuses him entry. Authority and Power: The gatekeeper in the story holds significant power over the man seeking
entry to the law. Absurdity and Bureaucracy: The man’s quest for access to the law is absurd, as he spends his entire
life waiting for entry, but it never comes.

Injustice : The man waited for years but didn’t get entry into the law. I analyzed that the man was from an inferior
background which is why he was rejected for getting into the law. It’s an example of injustice.Justice delay : The man
waited for years till he passed away. He dreamed of justice but it was delayed. This theme teaches readers the
outcomes of delay in justice. Bribery : A theme of bribery is also found in the story when the gatekeeper got
whatever the man offered him still he refused him to go into law.