“To strive after the law”: A Queer Reading of Franz Kafka’s “Before the Law”

Franz Kafka's "Before the Law" (1915), as translated by Ian

Johnston in 2009, encapsulates the existential struggle of the individual against rigid structures of authority, revealing profound implications for marginalized identities, particularly through a queer lens. The narrative centers on a man from the country who, in his quest for access to the Law, encounters a Gatekeeper who embodies the arbitrary nature of societal power and exclusion. This parable resonates with the experiences of queer individuals navigating a world that often relegates them to the periphery.

As the man’s futile wait unfolds, it symbolizes a deeper yearning for belonging and validation within an oppressive system that both entices and

repels. Kafka's narrative critiques authority and societal exclusion, depicting the futile quest for acceptance faced by marginalized individuals through the allegorical struggle of a man denied entry by the Gatekeeper. A queer reading of the story reveals the subversion of normative identities and highlights the complexities of desire, authority, and exclusion, emphasizing how rigid societal structures create barriers to belonging for those who do not conform.

Kafka's "Before the Law" presents a parable about a man from the country seeking “to gain entry into the law” (l. 2), only to be confronted by an imposing Gatekeeper who denies him entry. The man pleads for access, believing it to be his right, yet he is continuously rebuffed and spends his life in futile waiting. This dynamic symbolizes the barriers to understanding and attaining justice, which, in the context of a queer analysis, can be seen as a metaphor for the difficulties marginalized individuals face in seeking societal acceptance. Over time, the man’s hope dwindles and he becomes increasingly frustrated, realizing that the Gatekeeper represents the arbitrary and unyielding nature of authority. In the final moments of the story, as the man nears death, he learns that the door was “assigned only to [him]” (l. 36-7), but he has failed to enter. This ending emphasizes the futility of his quest and the existential struggle against incomprehensible forces. When examined through the lens of queer theory, the narrative can be seen as challenging normative structures around identity, sexuality, and power dynamics (Miller 24). Queer theory seeks to deconstruct rigid binaries and emphasizes the fluidity of identity, much like Kafka's exploration of the individual's relationship with law and authority.

Kafka's Gatekeeper serves as a symbol of arbitrary power, authority, and the naturalization of norms, themes that resonate strongly with queer theory. The man’s attempt to seek entry into the Law highlights how societal systems, though appearing just and necessary, are often inaccessible and oppressive, particularly for those who challenge established norms (Vasvári 2). His longing for acceptance can be seen as a quest for recognition within a system that deems certain identities worthy while excluding others. The Gatekeeper’s cryptic statement, “If it tempts you so much, try it in spite of my prohibition” (l. 7) underscores the paradox of desire within an exclusionary system, offering the possibility of entry while enforcing its impossibility. This interaction exemplifies how power structures, such as those governing gender and sexuality, are historically constructed to seem natural and inevitable, yet are inherently arbitrary. The man’s rejection thus symbolizes a broader societal rejection of those whose identities fall outside normative standards. Kafka’s narrative becomes a profound exploration of how systems of power, in their arbitrary and naturalized forms, deny recognition to those who deviate from the norm, reflecting the struggles of queer individuals seeking validation in a society that enforces rigid definitions of belonging. The futility of the man’s quest mirrors the systemic exclusion faced by queer individuals, which illustrates how authority operates to maintain boundaries and prevent the recognition of alternative identities.

The man’s desire to enter the Law symbolizes a deep yearning for societal acceptance, reflecting the innate human need to belong and find validation within established structures. In this context, the Law represents not only legal codes, but also the broader social norms that govern behavior and identity: norms that often reflect heteronormative ideals (Manderson 1). His persistent efforts to gain access can be viewed as a metaphor for marginalized individuals striving to carve out their place in a society that often excludes them. The rejection he faces from the Gatekeeper illustrates the rigidity of normative structures, reinforcing barriers that reveal the unreasoned nature of social hierarchies. These dynamics challenge the legitimacy of authority itself, suggesting that the criteria for belonging are often rooted in exclusion rather than inclusivity. The struggle to belong, however, is not just about the man seeking entry into the Law. His efforts can be read as a form of resistance against the very structures that attempt to define his worth and identity.

Therefore, desire becomes a central, complex theme, particularly when viewed through a queer lens. The man’s longing for access and validation is not merely a desire for legal recognition but a deeper, more existential yearning for acceptance within a system that marginalizes and excludes those who do not conform to normative standards. The Gatekeeper’s statement, “you’re insatiable” (l.32), reflects the man’s relentless pursuit, underscoring how desire, in this context, is not simply a goal to be fulfilled but an ongoing, perhaps unattainable force that both motivates and entraps. This can be understood as a queer desire; a desire that is inherently infinite, always seeking more or something beyond what is already available or possible. In queer theory, desire is often seen as destabilizing, as it does not conform to the traditional heterosexual model of wanting what is already deemed acceptable (Vasvári 4). Queer desire embodies a longing for the impossible and unattainable, much like the man’s pursuit of entry into the Law, which he will never achieve. 

In this sense, queer desire is not just about what is desired but about the tension between the pursuit of something outside the realm of possibility and the futility of ever reaching it. The man’s endless yearning for validation thus mirrors the experiences of many queer individuals, whose desires often exist in tension with societal norms, always seeking recognition and acceptance in a world that denies them access to full legitimacy (Vasvári 5; Miller 28). The inaccessibility of what the man desires in the story illustrates the way queer desire challenges conventional understandings of what is possible, always reaching beyond what is offered and never fully fulfilled.

The Law itself functions as a restrictive force, shaping identity in ways that reflect and enforce societal norms. As the man navigates his desire for entry, he proclaims, “everyone strives before the law” (l.32), suggesting that the pursuit of validation is a universal human experience (Vasvári 5). The Law, however, delineates acceptable behaviors and identities, prioritizing conformity over individuality (Manderson 1). This interaction reveals how the Law governs actions while imposing rigid categories that limit self-expression and recognition. The oppressive nature of the Law underscores the tension between personal desire and societal expectations, illustrating the broader conflict between individual identity and the demands of a conformist society. Through this lens, Kafka critiques the ways in which authority shapes desire, emphasizing the complex interplay between the pursuit of belonging and the often restrictive nature of societal structures.

The man’s eventual realization that “this entrance was assigned only to [him]” (l. 36-7) serves as a chilling commentary on the individualized nature of exclusion. It reveals the harsh truth that his struggle was not only about accessing the Law but also about confronting the very structures dictating who is deemed worthy of entry. This resonates with the queer experience, where societal barriers often feel personal and insurmountable. The Gatekeeper’s announcement of his impending closure emphasizes the urgency and finality of the man’s journey, illustrating how societal expectations can swiftly extinguish the quest for identity and belonging. As the man grapples with his imminent death, his question crystallizes the existential despair faced by many: despite striving for a place within the Law, he finds himself utterly alone. This moment encapsulates Kafka’s critique of authority and the complex interplay between desire, identity, and the exclusionary nature of societal structures, underscoring the ongoing struggle for acceptance and recognition in a world that often marginalizes those who do not conform.

The significance of waiting and delay is further emphasized through the man’s prolonged interaction with the Gatekeeper, underscoring how time operates as a queer construct. The man's drawn-out wait becomes a space of reflection, mirroring the queer experience of seeking acceptance in a society that enforces arbitrary timelines for validation. In this context, “queer time” challenges conventional markers of life milestones, suggesting that marginalized individuals often find themselves in a perpetual state of longing and deferral (Miller 31). As the man endures the passage of time, his hopes and desires become intertwined with the oppressive nature of the Law, illustrating how the quest for belonging can evoke both aspiration and frustration. This delay serves not only as a barrier but as a reminder of the complexities of time for those whose identities are often relegated to the margins, where the traditional measures of success and acceptance can feel distant and unattainable. The notion of “queer time” also speaks to the way in which the man is left in a state of perpetual waiting, reinforcing the idea that queer individuals often feel like they are “wearing the gatekeeper out with their requests” (l. 14-15), always asking for validation or permission but never receiving it. The line “better to wait until he gets permission” (l. 12) further reflects how queer individuals often feel the need to seek permission to simply exist, highlighting the control exerted over their lives by societal structures that dictate when and how they are allowed to be.

Kafka’s ambiguous ending further complicates the man’s journey, emphasizing the implications of his failure to enter the Law within the framework of queer time. His dying question, “How is it that in these many years no one except me has requested entry?” (l. 33), reveals a profound isolation that resonates with the harsh realities faced by those in marginalized communities. The Gatekeeper’s final response, “This entrance was assigned only to you” (l.35), reinforces the systemic nature of exclusion, suggesting that societal structures may offer the illusion of universal access while reserving entry for a select few (Vasvári 2). This notion of individual assignment can be seen as a reflection of how queer time often operates outside normative expectations, where the timelines of acceptance and belonging are uniquely personal and often unpredictable (Miller 31). The open-ended conclusion invites readers to re-evaluate traditional narratives of resolution, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for identity and belonging in a world that frequently denies it.

Franz Kafka's "Before the Law" serves as a critique of authority and societal exclusion, achieved by vividly illustrating the futile quest for acceptance experienced by marginalized individuals through the allegorical struggle of a man barred entry by the Gatekeeper. A queer reading of the narrative reveals how it subverts normative identities and exposes the complexities of desire, authority, and exclusion. The story emphasizes the rigid societal structures that create barriers to belonging for those who do not conform, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of identity and the relentless pursuit of validation in a world that often denies access to those who differ from the norm.