In der Strafkolonie

by Franz Kafka

"In der Strafkolonie" by Franz Kafka is a story written in October 1914 and published in 1919. A traveling researcher visits a remote penal colony where he witnesses an elaborate execution machine designed by the former commandant. The apparatus tortures condemned prisoners for hours by inscribing their violated commandment into their flesh. As the officer demonstrates this brutal justice system, he seeks the researcher's support to preserve it against growing opposition. The demonstration takes an unexpected turn that leads to the researcher's hasty departure from the island.