Summary

Chapter 8 is titled “At the Gate.” Elizabeth is in a square asking if someone can open the gate for her. It is hot and a man sits at a table with a fan, writing. He asks her to make a statement. She does not understand and he explains that she needs to write what she believes. Elizabeth does not think she can do it and instead offers to make up a belief. When she turns in her statement, it is rejected. She asks to peak through the gate to gauge whether or not she should bother. The man explains that there is a dormitory for those who take a long time to submit a worthy statement. She arrives in the dormitory and sees a bailiff and judges. She stands before them at her hearing. She explains that she is a writer, acknowledging...