In Before the Law by Franz Kafka one of the main themes is the hierarchy of power. From the very goal of the man trying to get through to meet with the law we begin to see a hierarchy of power form. One of the points is how the hierarchy is formed even though we aren’t able to see any of it. When the man comes to the gatekeeper to be let in, all we are able to see if the gatekeeper there and we learn that beyond the gate lies the law. The first thing we are able to notice here is that there is a definite barrier between the people and the law.  Even when the man attempts to look through the gate, he isn’t able to see if there is anyone there in the hierarchy. The interesting part is what all the different pieces are able to represent. The way I understood it, was the law was accessible to everyone, yet they are unable to understand it like modern day law. In this metaphor the gatekeeper would act as people who interpret the law for everyone and translate it to everyone else. This can be seen in the line of “If it tempts you so much, try it in spite of my prohibition.” The gatekeeper is telling the man that he would be able to see the law and speak to it, yet he would be met with resistance in trying to do so. This is showing the disconnect of those who are working within the law system and those who are only allowed to “see” the law.