The Condemned Man

How The Condemned Man Is Portrayed

Appearance, manner, and tone — as the book sketches them, in our words.

• Waiting like a dogOn page 6 he looks so submissive, Kafka writes, like a dog, that he could have run free on the slopes and been whistled back when the execution began.
• Following explanations he cannot understandOn pages 10 and 11 he keeps looking wherever the officer points, although he cannot understand French. On page 16 his lips move as he strains to catch his own sentence.
• Peering into the glass HarrowOn pages 23 and 24 he follows the traveler to look into the glass. The officer throws a clod of earth at the dozing soldier, who yanks the prisoner back so hard that he falls.
• Being set freeOn pages 52 and 53 the officer tells him in his own language that he is free. For the first time his face comes alive. He laughs quietly to himself and turns to each of the three men in turn.
• Dancing in his cut clothesOn page 56 he washes his filthy shirt in the bucket and puts his clothes back on. They were slit up the back, so he turns in circles in front of the soldier, and the prisoner and the soldier laugh out loud.
• Deciding it is revengeOn pages 59 and 60 he watches the officer undress and decides the traveler has ordered revenge. A broad, silent laugh stays on his face. He insists on strapping the officer in properly.
• Chasing the boatOn pages 61 and 62 he kneels to beg to stay and watch. On pages 68 and 69 he and the soldier run down the harbor steps after the traveler, too frightened to shout, and are kept out of the boat.

The Condemned Man quotes

Lines spoken by or about The Condemned Man, each verified verbatim against the text and located in the book.