In the Penal Colony

Kafka highlights the human desire for judgement and revenge that, for better of for worse, is present throughout human history. In the case of the officer in the story, justice is swift and brutal, seeing guilt as beyond doubt. The perspective of the visitor, however, shows us the fanaticism of the officer and cowardice of the crowds who came to watch the machine in the past yet now object to it's use when they are no consequences on them for doing so. Kafka never attempts to provide a solution to the problems in many justice systems, only showing us the moral failings and condemnations that we ignore. Even the officer, in his dedication to his morals and justifications for his actions, submits himself to the machine in the end as he sees the shift in perspective around him and is ultimately killed by his refusal to reconsider his actions. It clearly represents to us the excuses and justifications that have been used all throughout history to justify actions that would normally seem reprehensible to those who commit them.

While this is not my favourite of Kafka's works, I think it teaches many important lessons and has nuances I am not smart enough to fully understand, but even on the surface the level the messages it includes about our attitudes to justice and morals, and how we justify our actions are clear and important.