Last Judgement

(Karel Capek)

Study

        Origin

Karel Capek is recognized for his intelligent humor and exceptional imagination in his work.

        Form and Structure

Straightforward, written with a clever humor with sophisticated message. Direct speech was used to give th reader a hands – on feeling on the situation were the characters are in as they read the story.

        Genre

Last Judgement is an ironic parable which uses symbolism that makes the reader think in a critical manner.

        Theory

Last Judgement could be viewed on the Hermeneutics theory for the fact that it is a parable. The things like marble and rose mentioned in the story are symbols that readers should reflect on because it has deeper meaning that were associated in the bible.

Analyze

        The speaker of the story emphasizes God as witness, not as judge as what human expected to be. God sees everything that is why He need not to judge because He knows everything.

        The use of symbolism in the story calls for refection to the reader. Like the act of stealing a rose is related to the forbidden fruit and the marble to the lost sheep; all of which are cited in the holy bible.  

Interpret

        The central theme of the story is judgement and punishment. It is somehow a commentary type to the right of human being to judge another. But still, in reality, judgement is necessary for maintaining peace and order as well as to have appropriate punishment according to the degree of misdeeds one committed.