Literary Analysis of Franz Kafka’s ‘The Penal Colony’

Literary Analysis of Franz Kafka’s ‘The Penal Colony’

Franz Kafka’s ‘The Penal Colony’ is a shorty story of the author that was created in 1914 and published to the public in October 1919. The focal point of the story corresponds to the visit of the Explorer to the penal colony in order to understand their grotesque way of implementing punishments to the condemned. It is from here that the Explorer uncovers the use of an execution machine and how it symbolizes the justice system in the place. Written in a detached and third-person standpoint, Kafka is able to provide readers with a visual representation of the situation as it is happening without any traces of support or critique to the actions of characters. Arguably, this form of storytelling allows readers to uncover themselves the lessons it offers particularly in man’s ability to abide blindly to their individual and collective belief systems.

One of the important themes highlighted by Kafka in this story is the critique surrounding religion. Arguably, the piece emphasizes the destructive nature of how religion promotes blind faith to believers wherein they are unable to recognize the severity and brutality of punishment that is implemented to prisoners. As the story unfolds to readers, the Explorer is quick to recognize the harshness of the penalties given to the convicted as well as the inclination of the Officer to maintain the practices established by the old Commandant (Kafka 1). The religion plays an important aspect in this scenario because of the continued inclination of people within the colony to maintain the practices of the past (the Officer) as well as recognize the system’s control of their lives (the Condemned). Seeing this, it takes an outsider to critique this blind faith advocated by members of this colony.

The advancement of justice and judgment are also related facets highlighted by Kafka in this piece. Specifically, these viewpoints are reflected by the judicial system within the colony. Operating on the perspective of absolute punishment for those who are accused demonstrates a system dedicated on eradicating criminal offenses and also subjugating people to follow a specific rules and standards (Steinberg 492). Seeing this, the notion of justice and judgment that is passed down to people remains to be influenced by one man alone. In addition, it takes the Explorer to recognize this situation as destructive given the brutality and harshness to the Condemned as well as to others who have been convicted, either if it is the truth or not.

Lastly, readers can also recognize the inclination of the Officer to stick to traditional customs and traditions. Despite the death of the first Commandant, the people of the colony continue to believe in the power of the execution machine and its ability to inflict the appropriate punishment to offenders. Arguably, from the vantage point of Kafka, this act clearly resembles that of someone who seeks to pursue the justice system despite the fact that it remains to be outdated, brutal and discriminative in nature. By pursuing this traditional system, the colony is able to instill fear to its members and emphasize its hold in everyone’s life (McGee 1). When the Explorer points this reality out to the Officer, he felt compelled to succumb to this system and die with it rather than accept the changes that are taking place.

Overall, Franz Kafka’s ‘The Penal Colony’ offer readers with a dark and grotesque way of how man can utilize his influence and power to advance a system that is defined by strict adherence to rules. Without the necessary due process, its justice system and passing down of judgment remains to be absolute and through the use of the execution machine validates the brutality applied to the condemned. By using the observations of an outsider, the Explorer provides an objective standpoint to the blind faith implemented by members of the colony and how it continues to influence their choices and decision making. As the Explorer, leaves the penal colony in collapse of its old system, it offers deeper insights surrounding religious, philosophical and even artistic elements that Kafka puts together in order for readers to analyze.

Works Cited

Kafka, Franz. In the Penal Colony. 1914. Web. Accessed 26 August 2014.

McGee, Kyle. ‘Fear and Trembling in the Penal Colony’ The Kafka Project. 8 Jan. 2011. Web. Accessed 26 August 2014.

Steinberg, Erwin. ‘The Judgment in Kafka’s ‘In the Penal Colony’ Journal of Modern Literature, 5.3(1976 Sept.): 492.