Question

the refusal analysis/textual evidence
re - read paragraph 7 in franz kafkas the refusal (below). what inference can be made about the townspeople based on this part of the text?
in all important matters, however, the citizens can always count on a refusal. and now the strange fact is that without this refusal one simply cannot get along, yet at the same time these official occasions designed to receive the refusal are by no means a formality. time after time one goes there full of expectation and in all seriousness and then one returns, if not exactly strengthened or happy, nevertheless not disappointed or tired. about these things i do not have to ask the opinion of anyone else, i feel them in myself, as everyone does; nor do i have any great desire to find out how these things are connected.
the townspeople have grown used to rejection from the authorities, and they oddly find comfort in the familiar routine of being refused.
the townspeople believe the officials will eventually listen to them, so they remain full of hope and excitement.
the townspeople are too afraid of punishment to ever approach the authorities with requests.
the townspeople have given up on using formal petitions to ask for change and have been inspired to build an army to fight against the colonel and the government.

Explanation:

The text states that citizens "can always count on a refusal" and that the occasions for receiving the refusal are "by no means a formality." People go there "full of expectation and in all seriousness" and return "not disappointed or tired." This implies that the townspeople are used to the refusal (since they "count on" it) and find some sort of comfort or normalcy in the routine (as they are not disappointed when refused, showing they are accustomed to it and perhaps even find a strange comfort in the known outcome).

Answer:

The townspeople have grown used to rejection from the authorities, and they oddly find comfort in the familiar routine of being refused.