Kafka and The Block - Blog Post #1

“Before the Law” offers numerous approaches on how readers can interpret the short text,psychological theories and Marxist criticism exemplify the piece and provide a better understanding of Franz Kafka’s work. Psychological theories explore the mind of Kafka and the characters which enable readers to pry out hidden meanings of the text. Marxist Criticism reveals how literature may support or undermine the power in economic structures. The group had emphasized these two critical theories but psychological theories offered a greater depth to what Kafka was addressing.

My group and I discussed the text in a very literal sense, from the form and sentence structure to the word choice Kafka utilized. Interpreting what was actually on the paper and what Kafka was saying as opposed to discovering the deeper meaning behind the words on the page. We identified traces of psychological theories present in the text for it had raised numerous questions about why Kafka chose to write something as simple as someone standing before a guarded gate. Throughout the discussion we understood that there was an element of fear that struck the Man when attempting to surpass the numerous gates that blocked his path. A fear and anxiety that consumed him from entering the gate because of his own self-doubt. His hesitation to walk through the gate was an inner battle he was fighting within himself, a mental block that stopped him from overcoming the fear to continue, missing the moment. Kafka wrote “Before the Law” in the early 1900s but the principles of the text apply to everyday life. There seems to always be concern and doubt in terms of moving through the entirety of life, the Gatekeeper reminding the Man by stating, “... But from room to room stand gatekeepers, each more powerful than the other. I can’t endure even one glimpse of the third.” (Kafka). The Gatekeeper finds himself challenging the other, wondering if he will face his fears head-on and enter. The older one gets, the harder life becomes. Responsibility on top of responsibility piles on as humans age, a point Kafka addresses with the Man’s inability to push through. He makes the choice to not go through the gate, which in turn, obscures the view of his own goal, losing sight of what he genuinely wants or wants to accomplish in his life.

A power dynamic is noted in the text between the two characters, the Gatekeeper clearly of higher ranking than the Man. The notion of Marxist Criticism is prevalent because of the class division, the higher power of the Gatekeeper. The Man nearly becomes inferior to him who subjects himself, losing his individual humanity. The power dynamic, however, is clearly obvious. There’s a sense of rank throughout the whole work when the Man is denied entry through the gate, or there being a gatekeeper standing guard in the first place, “... the law should always be accessible for everyone, he thinks, but as he now looks more closely at the gatekeeper in his fur coat… he decides that it would be better to wait until he gets permission to go inside.” (Kafka). The Man quickly identifies that he is not allowed entry and examines what the Gatekeeper is dressed in, clothes that express his superiority for the Man is equipped with an aged appearance with fleas clinging to his collar. With Marxist Criticism, it is clear to recognize the power present in the Gatekeeper since his role is to guard the others out, whether it is from rank or an economic standpoint.

Psychological theories are established throughout “Before the Law” and allows readers to delve into the deeper meanings behind the piece. The usage of psychological criticism permits one to think about the text away from the actual words on the page, discovering hidden perceptions that the author possibly is trying to get across. Instead of looking at the superiority present in the Gatekeeper, readers are able to view the hardships the Man experiences. The Man’s self-doubt prevents him from continuing, his fear stopping him from ever knowing what is beyond the numerous guarded gates. Viewing Kafka’s short work with a Marxist Criticism lens reveals the obvious authority that is analyzed between the Man and the Gatekeeper. While this theory proves to be true, it is apparent in the text and requires little to no researching. Power rankings were present and it comes as no surprise as to why Kafka wouldn’t include the dynamic. Reading and analyzing the text in terms of utilizing psychological theories grants readers and our group to further and deepen our understanding of the Man’s mental block.

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