Kate's Blog Post "Before the Law"

When first reading “Before the Law” by Franz Kafka, two readers can interpret the story in drastically different ways. Readers learn of the man who desires to pass through the gatekeeper in order to access the law, but is warned against doing so by the gatekeeper himself. The ambiguity of the dialogue between the man and gatekeeper may suggest to one reader that the gatekeeper is be a symbol for power, but to another reader, he or she may conclude that the man chooses to not pass the gatekeeper due to his own psyche. The true meaning behind “Before the Law” is widely up for debate, and reading this text with Gardner’s critical approaches in mind, readers are able to conclude the dynamic between the gatekeeper and the man more definitively. 

            My group’s reading of “Before the Law” agreed that a ‘Marxist’ approach suits the text best. The Marxist approach believes that “human progress is based on a struggle for power between different social classes” (Gardner 169). This describes “Before the Law” very well, as the symbolism of politics and power is overwhelming, and is consistent and bold throughout the text. For example, in the first interaction between the gatekeeper and the man, the gatekeeper says, “if it tempts you so much, try it in spite of my prohibition. But take note: I am powerful. And I am only the most lowly gatekeeper.  But from room to room stand gatekeepers, each more powerful than the other”. From the very first scene, it is apparent that the gatekeeper is aware of his authority over this man, and utilizes this authority to cause fear so that the man will be too afraid to pass the gatekeeper, as there will be another, more powerful one waiting for him with each new gate. The gatekeeper proves to the man that he is no match to any authority, and therefore should obliterate any thought of gaining entry to the first gate, let alone any other gate. This is symbolic to politics, as even in our modern politics, minorities or lower social classes are beaten down with fear tactics so they will not try to gain entry to the law, let alone try to change it.

            Another approach one could use to interpret this text is the ‘Psychological’ approach, which according to Gardner, “examines the internal mental states, the desires, and the motivation of literary characters” (174). It is confusing to readers why, even though the gatekeeper relays stories of more powerful gatekeepers, the man does not try to gain entry to the law. In fact, “he decides that it would be better to wait until he gets permission to go inside”. By reading this line through a psychological view, readers could argue that the man has no reason to actually fear the gatekeeper, or believe he has authority over him. There is no physical punishment promised if he tries to pass, nor do any of the other gatekeepers appear to be in sight. It is purely the man creating this barrier in his mind, therefore only refraining from accessing the law because he fears the unknown. The man has been conditioned, it seems, to wait for direction from someone else—yet in this case he must direct himself. The entire gatekeeper and gate may just be a hoax Kafka has created in order to highlight the man’s own apprehension to access the law, and that he pays for it for his entire life without ever taking action. 

            Though I believe both the Marxist and Psychological approach when reading “Before the Law” are valid, I do believe the Marxist approach is the best method when reading the text. I believe so because although the man could have purely been struggling with internal factors within his psyche, the evidence that the gatekeeper is a fearful, powerful, authoritative figure is more compelling. This is consistently reaffirmed, especially in the line, “I am taking this only so that you do not think you have failed to do anything” when the man offers him gifts. The gatekeeper says this as though the man should be thankful that he is accepting the gifts. Though the gifts do not change the gatekeeper’s actions, they do enhance his power and his ability to convince the man of his “generosity” by accepting them. It is clear that the gatekeeper is a symbol of political power, and represents a high social class who will provide obstacles, even mental ones, to minorities or lower social classes in order to maintain power and suppress any upheaval. 

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