The numerous interpretations of The Castle, especially regarding its central symbol and ultimate meaning, are astonishingly diverse. One prominent interpretation suggests that the village represents societal norms—healthy, life-giving, and secure, embodying the benefits of human and bourgeois society—while the novel chronicles Joseph K.'s efforts to integrate into this world. Another critical perspective views the book as a narrative of Jewish isolation, with K.'s failure to gain acceptance into the community being driven by subtle anti-Semitism, where he is neither outright rejected nor fully embraced. Yet another interpretation frames the conflict between the castle, symbolizing God, and the protagonist, who is unable to reach God, with the villagers caught in between, highlighting a problem of divine grace. A variation of this theme posits that the castle is empty, devoid of a resident head, implying that God is dead, rendering the universe meaningless.

Ultimately, it is essential to acknowledge that The Castle is open to a wide range of interpretations, much like Kafka's other works. This openness was intentional, designed to resist simplistic, closed readings and better reflect the complexities of the modern world, with its instability and lack of definitive philosophical, religious, and aesthetic ideas.