In the Penal Colony

One of the most important themes in the story is the effects of power and control. Franz Kafka explores the negative effects of institutionalized violence and presents a stark distinction between the social status and authority among the characters. The hierarchical structure puts the condemned man at the bottom, where he becomes the victim of abuses of power. He is shackled with heavy chains around his hands, legs, and neck, and the system has such control over him that even if he is set loose, only a “whistle” will be needed to call him back. He has no free will or choice but to accept his fate that is carelessly decided by the men in power—he is condemned for falling asleep at his absurd post, but just as quickly, the officer spares his life.

One abuses power in whatever capacity he can. In a sequence that illustrates the power hierarchy, the officer “scoop[s] up a clod of earth from the wall” and throws it at the soldier, upon which the soldier “jerk[s] violently upon the chains,” making the prisoner fall (83). The traveler also threatens to strike the soldier and the prisoner with a “massive rope” when they try to flee with him (106). The machine also symbolizes the officer’s control and power. He operates and understands it the best and uses it to exert institutionalized power. The prisoner’s punishment, decided by the officer, is harsh and unjust. “Honor thy Superiors” will be carved into his torso to remind him of his subservient position one last time (79). The “S” in “Superiors” is capitalized to elevate to the powerful men. The punishment shows that deference to the power hierarchy is important for maintaining it; disrespecting the hierarchy is worthy of a death sentence.

The language barrier is another indicator of class hierarchies. The subjects are unable to comprehend the language of power, which creates another boundary between the oppressed and the oppressors. “French was a language for which, certainly, neither the soldier nor the condemned man had any understanding” (76). Although this language barrier shows that both of these men are part of the underclass, the soldier is given power over the prisoner. This parallels divide-and-conquer techniques used by oppressors, in which they empower a small portion of the conquered population over the rest and reward their loyalty to the new regime.

The prisoner is consistently shown to be powerless. He imitates the traveler’s movements to show his obedience and submission. However, when the traveler can shield his eyes from the sunlight, the prisoner’s physical constraints only allow him to squint and blink. Similarly, when the major files a complaint against his “underling,” his words are not questioned. The prisoner is denied any chance to defend himself because he is presumed guilty from the start; the officer claims he will only give a “set of lies” and “all sorts of mitigating circumstances” (81). The major can also be lying, but his social rank exempts him from being interrogated and punished for striking “a good blow across” the prisoner’s face (81). Notably, the traveler is at the top of this hierarchy; the officer makes an effort to “satisfy” a foreigner with no link to the case, while the accused person has never been consulted or even informed of his judgment. The traveler’s power also lies in his wealth, which is indicated by the incident where he gives coins to the workers at the tea house.

The old commander and the officer believe in a ruthless display of power with no regard for human rights. Their public executions serve as an admonition for spectators while also establishing and accentuating their authority. The machine is transparent, emphasizing that the punishment is as much for the spectator as the victim. Although some people were not able to “bear the sight of” the inhumane execution, attendance was mandatory. The old commander even had children witness the execution, which programs the children to never question or deny authority. While these old techniques are looked down upon by the new commander and his regime, there’s no indication that the penal colony will close. The traveler’s passivity in the face of extreme violence indicates that such power dynamics will continue in a more presentable fashion.