The Trial

by

Franz Kafka

The Doorkeeper Character Analysis

A character in the parable Josef hears from the prison chaplain. The doorkeeper guards a gate to the law; behind him, more powerful doorkeepers guard other gates. A man comes seeking access to the Law, but the doorkeeper refuses to let him past, even though the man waits in front of the gate for his entire lifetime. When the man dies, the doorkeeper closes the gate and reveals that the gate existed for that man alone.

The Doorkeeper Quotes in The Trial

The The Trial quotes below are all either spoken by The Doorkeeper or refer to The Doorkeeper. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Justice vs. The Law Theme Icon
).
Chapter 9 Quotes

I am only accepting this so you will not think there is something you have omitted to do.

Related Characters: The Doorkeeper (speaker)
Related Symbols: The Prison Chaplain’s Parable
Page Number: 156
Explanation and Analysis:

No one else could be granted entry here, because this entrance was intended for you alone. I shall now go and shut it.

Related Characters: The Doorkeeper (speaker)
Related Symbols: The Prison Chaplain’s Parable
Page Number: 155
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Doorkeeper Quotes in The Trial

The The Trial quotes below are all either spoken by The Doorkeeper or refer to The Doorkeeper. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Justice vs. The Law Theme Icon
).
Chapter 9 Quotes

I am only accepting this so you will not think there is something you have omitted to do.

Related Characters: The Doorkeeper (speaker)
Related Symbols: The Prison Chaplain’s Parable
Page Number: 156
Explanation and Analysis:

No one else could be granted entry here, because this entrance was intended for you alone. I shall now go and shut it.

Related Characters: The Doorkeeper (speaker)
Related Symbols: The Prison Chaplain’s Parable
Page Number: 155
Explanation and Analysis: