Before The Law is a short story in the literature highlighting an event when a dressed man from a remote area appeared before the law but didn’t get access to it. This story teaches you plenty of narratives after finishing it. In this article, you’re going to read Before The Law Summary, Analysis, and Themes.

Author

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.

Before The Law 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. You’ll get an analysis of this line later in our blog.

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.

Before The Law 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, you 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.

Before The Law Themes

“before the Law “seems to explore the following three themes:

Corruption

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.

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.

Conclusion: Before The Law Summary And Analysis

This article was discussed before the law summary and analysis. Further, you can share your own point of view in the comment section. If you have found our blog valuable, you can share it on social media.

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