Franz Kafka’s “Before the Law” appears to be best analyzed using Marxist criticism. There are many instances in the text that suggest that the short story is meant to be about class issues as well as critique society. However, there are many gaps in the story that are left to the reader to fill in which suggests that analyzing  the content through reader-response theory might also be a valid option. While a reader-response criticism is useful, the main points of “Before the Law” would be lost without interpreting the text through a Marxist criticism.

“Before the Law” is riddled with references to traditionally Marxist critiques of society. For example, the story involves a man who wishes to enter the law but is prevented from doing so by a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper warns the man “if it tempts you so much, try it in spite of my prohibition. But take note: I am powerful. And I am only the most lowly gatekeeper. But from room to room stand gatekeepers, each more powerful than the other.” The warning issued by the gatekeeper reflects Marxist criticism in several ways. Primarily, the gatekeeper preventing the man from entering the law indicates an elite holding another member of the society down. Additionally, the gatekeeper’s mention of the ranking of gatekeepers also demonstrates a stratification of society, often critiqued by those with Marxist ideologies. Another example suggesting that a Marxist reading of “Before the Law” is essential is the man’s thought: “the law should always be accessible to everyone.” Equal access to resources is an essential axiom of Marxist philosophy and therefore, this man’s thought contributes to the necessity of reading “Before the Law” utilizing Marxist criticism.

Although there are a plethora of examples in “Before the Law” suggesting that Marxist criticism is the correct way to analyze the text, there are several elements missing from the story that open the door for a reading using reader-response criticism. The foremost example of such a gap is the lack of setting. Kafka provides no clue as to where the story takes place nor the time period. As a result, the reader is left to fill in the gaps when reading. Also, the central storyline is about a man attempting “to gain entry to the law.” However, there is no mention of what the law actually is. Once again, the reader has to decide what the law is and his/her answer to that question can significantly alter the story.

Reader-response criticism is a useful tool in analyzing “Before the Law.” Without it, there are enormous gaps in context that are essential to the text. However, use of Marxist criticism is essential in determining the main point of the story. Marxist criticism helps us see that “Before the Law” is likely a critique of society and class due to the description of the gatekeeper and the man’s thoughts. Therefore, to exclude Marxist criticism would be a fatal mistake in understanding “Before the Law,” while to refrain from using reader-response theory loses only the context for the story.