“Before the Law” is a captivating parable written by Franz Kafka that will immerse you in a labyrinth of meanings and reflections on the human condition.
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Before the Law in PDF
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- Author: Franz Kafka.
- Publication Date: “Before the Law” was first published in 1915 in the independent Jewish weekly “Selbstwehr.” Later, it was included in the short story collection “Ein Landarzt” in 1919.
- Main Characters:
- Countryman: Protagonist who seeks access to the law.
- Guardian: Prevents the countryman from accessing the law.
- Brief summary: “Before the Law” is a parable that tells the story of a countryman who desires to access the law, but the guardian prevents him from passing. Over the years, the man attempts to bribe the guardian unsuccessfully. In the end, just before dying, the guardian reveals that the door was meant solely and exclusively for him, and then closes it.
- Thematic analysis: “Before the Law” raises the idea of inaccessibility and frustration in the pursuit of the law. The story reflects on exclusion, endless waiting, and the arbitrary and oppressive nature of bureaucratic institutions.
- Historical context: “Before the Law” was written during the interwar period in Europe, where Kafka lived. The work mirrors the alienation and hopelessness that characterized society at the time, as well as the difficulties and powerlessness of the individual against structures of power.
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