# Olga's Plans explained — The Castle

> Chapter companion for The Castle by Franz Kafka.

## What happens

Olga recounts her plan to propitiate Sortini's messenger in order to alleviate the family's guilt. She describes how she and her father searched for the messenger at the Herrenhof, and how she spent nights with the servants to gain information. She also details Barnabas's entry into Castle service, his initial success, and his subsequent disillusionment and transformation over two years.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Redemption

Olga's entire plan is driven by the family's guilt over the insult to Sortini's messenger and her hope to redeem them through propitiation.

### Quest for Belonging

Barnabas's entry into Castle service represents a desperate attempt to gain acceptance and improve the family's standing.

### Alienation and Isolation

Olga feels isolated in her efforts, Amalia withdraws, and Barnabas becomes increasingly alone in his futile service.

## Character check-ins

### Olga

Narrates her plan to find and propitiate Sortini's messenger, and her efforts at the Herrenhof.

### Barnabas

Olga's brother who enters Castle service; initially ambitious, he becomes prematurely aged and disillusioned.

### Amalia

Olga's sister; she becomes more withdrawn and silent as Olga pursues her plans.

### Father

Initially resistant to Olga's plan, he eventually agrees to search for the messenger.

### Sortini

The official whose messenger was insulted; he no longer comes to the village.

### Frieda

Mentioned as having difficulty with the servants at the Herrenhof; Olga helped her by quietening them.

## Key lines

> Now, I said to myself, since public opinion, even if only ostensibly, recognised nothing but the insult to the messenger, then, even if it were still only ostensibly, everything might be put right if one could propitiate the messenger.

Olga reasoned that because the only acknowledged issue was the insult to the messenger, appeasing him could ostensibly resolve the matter.

_Olga's rationale for her plan to find and reconcile with Sortini's messenger._

> For more than two years, at least twice a week, I've spent the night with the servants in the stall.

For over two years, Olga has regularly stayed overnight with the servants in the stable.

_Describes Olga's method of gathering information and influence among the servants._

> It was amazing with what little difficulty Barnabas got into the Castle that first time, or more correctly into the bureau which in a manner of speaking has become his workroom.

Barnabas entered the Castle and its bureau with surprising ease on his first attempt.

_Highlights the initial success of Barnabas's service._

> For two long years Barnabas led this heartbreaking life.

Barnabas endured a painful and disappointing existence for two years.

_Summarizes the prolonged futility of Barnabas's efforts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters/olga-s-plans
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_castle_2_se/chapters