The Key / an Eochair

In An Eochair (The Key), one of Máirtín Ó Cadhain’s most Kafkaesque novella, J., a “paper-keeper,” accidentally locks himself in his office when his key breaks in the lock. The novella—a mixture of satire, farce, black comedy, and, ultimately, tragedy—relates the efforts of J. and various other characters, including his wife, civil service colleagues, and superiors, as they try to extricate J. from his predicament. Yet all efforts to free J. must be in accordance with civil service protocols, and no such protocol exists for J.’s unique dilemma.