Blog Post #1

ENL 10C

Blog Post #1

            In the piece, “Before the Law,” by Franz Kafka, our group discusses a literal perspective on the term: “law,” comparing the gatekeeper to a judge of sorts, determining the fate of those who stand before him. My fellow group members discussed the literary approach as relating to psychological theories. They came to this conclusion by highlighting the motivations held by each of the characters. For example, the man’s desires to enter the guarded gate and the gatekeepers wishes to keep him out. Since the theory determines society as being driven by their deepest aspirations, this approach seemed fitting for a potential approach used by Kafka. The connected between actual law and the psychological theory was based on the man’s futile attempts such as, “[spending] everything” he possess to exit the lawless land. Also, the idea of imprisonment was developed due to the man becoming “childish” over the many years “studying the gatekeeper.” Because of the seclusion from the outside world, prisoners can potentially become mentally unstable, relating to the man’s deteriorating mental state. However, I considered the religious aspect involved in socety’s definition of ultimate law. Kafka’s presentation of the relationship between the unnamed man and the reluctant gatekeeper demonstrates the power dynamic held by each of the characters, one visibly more powerful than the other. This different viewpoint contributes to my idea of Structuralism as the literary theory presented in “Before the Law.”

            Structuralism focuses on the nature and understandings of the social world and on how those beliefs are used for association. The conclusion of the man longing to enter the gates of heaven was determined by the influence embedded by my upbringing. The gatekeeper describes himself as “powerful,” guarding the law that “should always be accessible for everyone.” The image displayed of a mighty being protecting a place that “should” be guaranteed to, also reminds one of a holy figure measuring one’s faith and moral standing upon entering Heaven. Initially, all possess the ability to enter, but after a brief “[interrogation]” of the individual, a different outcome can be expected. Society lives the entirely of their lives wishing to experience Heaven in the afterlife, but when questioned of their ways and intentions they may not satisfy the requirements. The questions presented seem “indifferent” to the man bu the “kind that great men put.” Since the inquiry consists of general information of one’s life, they appear to possess little to no meaning, but it is the underlining qualities of a person that paves the way to their overall characteristics. The universal qualities revolving religion, Heaven, Hell, and a significant figure create a connection between the author and the audience. Though various elements of religion differ, society is connected solely based on a general faith.

            The man’s patience and sacrifices to something he truly believed was worthwhile resonates with the reader’s own offerings. Despite being denied access, the man “decides that it would be better to wait until he gets permission to go inside” rather than force his entry. It is not so much about entering the gate to the man, but being worthy of the allowance. Experiencing Heaven proves one has become deserving of the luxury, reassuring the audience that one cannot simply sneak their way in. After the man grows impatient and frustrated, he “spends everything, no matter how valuable, to win over the gatekeeper.” The gatekeeper accepts the items not as a means to enter but as reassurance for the man’s failed attempt. This is a lesson to those who possess an impressive amount of belongings. Those successes in one’s lifetime are significant and are worth acknowledgment, but do not translate to earning a place in Heaven. This understanding of the insignificance of wealth after death contributes to how the author potentially interprets riches and how he wishes to convey that message to his audience.

            After many years of waiting, the man reaches the end of his time on Earth and his last attempt to persuade the gatekeeper. He gathers the remainder of his strength the question the gatekeeper about him appearing to be the only one requesting entry despite everyone’s desire to experience the law. He mentions the gate “was assigned only to [him]” and begins to close the gate. The author is displaying a judgement day that is an individual experience rather than a collective. Because there are many factors to consider in one’s life, each person is to be evaluated separately. Structurally this explains why the story features two characters: the decision maker and the subject being decided. Also, this highlights how the author views the determination of others.