In the Penal Colony

by Franz Kafka

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Intro Summary Themes Quotes Characters Analysis Questions Quizzes Best of the Web

In the Penal Colony Learning Guide: Table of Contents

Introduction
Analysis
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Reading the story allegorically
Not reading the story strictly as an allegory
The Penal Colony
The Officer
The Machine or Apparatus
The Old Commandant
The Inscription
The Body
Setting
Narrator Point of View
Genre
Tone
Writing Style
What's Up With the Title?
What's Up With the Ending?
Plot Analysis
Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis: Voyage and Return or Tragedy
Three Act Plot Analysis
Trivia
Steaminess Rating
Brief Summary
"In the Penal Colony"
Characters
The Explorer
The Explorer Timeline
The Officer Timeline
The Condemned Man
The Condemned Man Timeline
The Soldier

The Soldier Timeline
The New Commandant
Study Questions
Character Roles (Protagonist, Antagonist...)
Protagonist
Antagonist
Foil
Tools of Characterization
Themes
Quotes
Justice and Judgment
Justice and Judgment Quotes
Suffering
Suffering Quotes
Religion
Religion Quotes
Foreignness and 'The Other'
Foreignness and 'The Other' Quotes
Tradition and Custom
Tradition and Custom Quotes
Primitiveness
Primitiveness Quotes
Best of the Web
Module Quizzes
Quotes (What was Said)
Themes (For the Most Part)
Symbols
At Sea Colony
Not About the American Colonies
Essay