I Wish Kafka Were Here...

Did Kafka ever say this was about individuality, about Subject or Self? Because, had I been reading this without previous knowledge and context of the Self/Subject matter, I would have assumed the reading was pertaining to taking chances and the consequences that comes with not questioning authority. The Countryman didn't question the Law and took it as fact that what lay inside was terrifying and scary, and that the law was an invitation only party. He sat on the outside his whole life, waiting for that invitation, eventually to have the door shut because he did not go through it. 

Argument for Subject; "Is the "Countryman" representative of the cultural "subject," always responding to the dictates of the Law?" - Well, he didn't go against the law, he didn't question the law, he did not try to defy the law even when the door keeper told him he could go ahead. So I think that makes the countryman a subject. (Another question is, why does the man have to be a country man? Is this country in the sense that the man is rural or that he is patriotic, and "of his country"? Just thought it was interesting that he had that specific title. Why is he not simply a man?) 

Argument for Self; "...the quintessential "self," thinking of himself as unique and untouched by the law?"- Well, he did separate himself from the Law, keeping watch over the door keeper, but never trying to be like to door keeper. However I think that the Countryman was not being a very good self in this situation, because he never did anything but obey the Law, and his whole motive in the first place was to become part of the law. 

So, if I as the reader get to choose the meaning of Kafka's words here (no matter how self important that makes me feel, and disregarding the fact that I still think only Kafka can tell us the meaning of the story (or if he just thought it was a nice story and wasn't trying to make a point at all)) I would say that the story is about what happens when a Countryman/Subject becomes so focused on submitting to the Law, so that the Law will like him and admit him, that he lost his chance and didn't realize that he had the opportunity to go in when ever he wanted. Basically, don't let the law, or the Door Keeper/The Man, keep you out.