Kafka’s “Before the Law” provides interesting insights regarding the concepts of authority and power in society in the 20^th Century and can be applied to how society is shaped today. In my opinion, I believe that the man from the country represents how people deal with their goals and ambitions in society today. The gatekeeper represents the barriers that people face to achieve their ambitions and can be a numerous number of things depending on the individual’s unique life circumstances. The last line of the passage was “Here no one else can gain entry, since this entrance was assigned only to you. I am going now to close it” (20). Everybody is going to face their own unique set of challenges in life to try to achieve their dreams and goals. However, usually others will tell them that their dreams or ambitions are unrealistic or a figure of authority whether it be their parents or another agency will stand in their way. The man from the country didn’t even attempt to get past the gatekeeper because of the possibility of facing more gatekeepers in the future who were even scarier than the first gatekeeper. He wasted his whole life just waiting to get permission from the gatekeeper when in reality the gatekeeper was never going to yield and give him permission. People must take initiative and face the challenges that prevent them from reaching their goals head on or they will end up like the man from the country and ponder about what could’ve been if they tackled their challenges and conquered them to reach their goals.