Penal colony thus far...

So... amazingly... its a English class book that is actually interesting! YAY! I wasn't much of a fan of his other writing, Metamorphisis, but I enjoy this story. This story seems to correlate quite well with what we had discussed and learned in class. This is a prime story that goes hand-in-hand with Foucault's story. This story has set the scene with an explorer at this penal colony present at the beginning of a torture punishment sentence. What Kafka is trying to show is that this method of torture in the ways of the previous leader is now frowned upon in the present colony. The other main character thus far, the officer, seems to be the last that supports this method. I enjoy this set up because he gives us a hint at the explorers thoughts on the apparatus as well as the officer's justification for such a contraption. The machine seems quite painful and the fact that the victim learns of the crime he has been comitted for through this torture, doesn't really seem to serve any justice. The man had no chance of defending himself and really cannot come to any real terms during this process. The crime he is found guilty for is apparently scratched into his body over and over, deeper and deeper for a very extensive period of time. This painful technique just seems to put the victim through extensive pain vs. serving real justice and may be a prime reason as to why it is being phased out of current society.

I really am looking forward to see how this story progresses and am pleased to learn that it is actually interesting!! A+ for interesting. :D