In the Penal Colony Franz Kafka

If all parallels with the Bible are considered, the reading can be "an unorthodox ... vision of traditional theology".[4] The old way of running the colony is reminiscent of the views presented in the Old Testament, with the old Commandant – creator of the torture machine, as well as the colony itself – resembling God. The old Commandant focused on human guilt, which "is never to be doubted".[5] The comparison between the machine used in the penal colony and the world in general could mean that the purpose of life is to deserve salvation from the guilt by means of suffering.[6] According to Geddes, however, interpreting the usage of the contraption in such a way could result in glossing over the story's lesson – dangers of viewing events as a form of a theodicy, secular or sacred.[7] More parallels include the new, more liberal rules established in the colony after the death of the original Commandant, which might represent the New Testament.[8] Similarly to the way in which Christianity evolved from "old law of the Hebraic tradition" to the merciful rules of the New Testament, we can see such progression in Kafka's story.[9] The officer could represent Christ, but in "Kafka's inversion of traditional Christian theology", he sacrifices himself to showcase his support for the former Commandant, as opposed to the new rules.[10] The inscription on the grave of the old Commandant may also imply that the "second coming" refers to the comeback of old rules.[11] Other critics (Politzer, Thorbly, Neumeyer) recognize the parallels and symbolism, but do not want to associate them with any specific biblical reading.[12][13][14] Neumeyer added that the English translation of the short story created by Willa Muir and Edwin Muir contains inaccuracies, including those that support the religious interpretation, giving the reader a "misshapen image" of the story.[15]