Before The Law :: Short Story Stories Essays

Before The LawBEFORE THE equity stands a gate griper. To this doorkeeper there comes a musical composition from the country and prays for price of admission to the Law. tho the doorkeeper says that he cannot grant admittance at the moment. The man thinks it over and then asks if he will be allowed in later. It is possible, says the doorkeeper, entirely not at the moment. Since the gate stands open, as usual, and the doorkeeper steps to ace side, the man stoops to peer through the gateway into the interior. Observing that, the doorkeeper laughs and says If you argon so drawn to it, just try to go in despite my veto. But take note I am powerful. And I am wholly the least of the doorkeepers. From hall to hall there is one doorkeeper later on an early(a), each more powerful than the last. The third doorkeeper is already so terrible that even I cannot bear to look at him. These argon difficulties the man from the country has not expected the Law, he thinks, should surely be acces sible at all times and to everyone, notwithstanding as he now takes a closer look at the doorkeeper in his fur coat, with his big sharp nose and long, thin, black Tartar beard, he decides that it is better to wait until he gets permission to enter. The doorkeeper gives him a puddle and lets him sit down at one side of the door. There he sits for days and days. He makes many attempts to be admitted, and wearies the doorkeeper by his importunity. The doorkeeper frequently has little interviews with him, asking him questions about his home and many other things, but the questions are put indifferently, as great lords put them, and forever and a day finish with the statement that he cannot be let in yet. The man, who has equipped himself with many things for his journey, sacrifices all he has, however valuable, to bribe the doorkeeper. The doorkeeper accepts everything, but always with the remark I am only taking it to keep you from thinking you have omitted anything. During these many years the man fixes his attention virtually continuously on the doorkeeper. He forgets the other doorkeepers, and this first one seems to him the sole obstacle preventing access to the Law. He curses his bad luck, in his early years boldly and loudly later, as he grows old, he only grumbles to himself.