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In chapter none of The Trial, Joseph K. speaks with the prison chaplain at the cathedral, who tells him the story of the country man and the doorkeeper. I know that the two characters speculate on many different meanings of the parable, but none of them seem to go very deep. Would anyone like to discuss a few?

I've explored this chapter for Univ last year, using the story to explain the nature of K.. Both K. and Joseph K., was lots of fun, I really love this chapter!

"So the door-keeper deceived the man," said K. at once very much taken by the story. And so was I(very much taken). But then the different meanings,conclusions, contradictions such as "cannot grant him entry now" and at the end "this door was meant only for you!" Perhaps this story encompasses everything Kafka wanted tell us about K, his case, the court and its proceedings, with K being the country man and the various officers, judge, lawyers, the painter, the attic offices representing the door-keeper who won't let him access the law but at the end K meets his end just as the country man did nevertheless.

At the end, Josef K. becomes too tired to continue on in his search for freedom, the chaplain's seeming view of Necessity wins out and Josef K. flees (though still needing guidance to find his way out!).

My translation, Kafka Unleashed: Stories, Dreams & Visions has 3 chapters that explicate this critical discussion, indeed according to the great Kafka scholar, Walter Sokel:

"And what's more this so-called legend is also one of the most important keys to unlocking the literary treasure chest of Kafka's entire ouevre - it's importance can hardly be overstated." (p.381)

"The court wants nothing from you: it takes you up when you come, and lets you go when you leave." (p. 123)

p.

It's so dark, even the candles on the altar have been extinguished, Josef K. is drawn in but also the sounds of his footsteps echoing on the cold stone reverberate, the priest points down to a position that is closer....the conversation begins - You appear to be guilty as charged..... I know nothing, I'm innocent... WELL>>

Note, "the man from the country (eg country bumpkin)" in German is Landsmann, a word that also exists in English; But the connotation is Man of the Earth or earthly man - as opposed to heavenly man... the person whom the Priest or Chaplain or Spiritualist (Geistlicher) is addressing....- this is generally LOST in the English translations, and so much of the same is likewise lost as the materialistic Bent of Modern Society has lost any sense for the super-sensible..... This is Kafka's hidden side, but who cares?

p.
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