Kafka's "Before the Law" is an interesting and thought-provoking parable about what the law is and how it applies to us. In the story, a man travels to the Law, which is guarded by a doorkeeper. Although the man wants to enter, the doorkeeper says, "'It is possible, but not at the moment.'' Seeing the man is still curious about entering, the doorkeeper adds, "'If you are so drawn to it, just try to go in despite my veto. But take note: I am powerful. And I am only the least of the doorkeepers." Frightened by the doorkeeper's words, the man decides to wait at the first door until he gains permission to enter through the gate to the Law. But it never happens. Years pass, and the man "forgets the other doorkeepers". When he takes his dying breathe, he asks the doorkeeper, "Everyone strives to reach the Law, so how does it happen that for all these many years no one but myself has ever begged for admittance?" Just before the man dies, the doorkeeper responds, "No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was made only for you."
Kafka uses this parable to show us that we can all obtain the Law; the only thing stopping us is ourselves. We are too scared of the consequences and the tribulations we may face. We all have the right to the Law, so we should all try to get it, but we stop ourselves. The use of a parable shows just how much of a problem this truly is, for a parable is a story that teaches a lesson that must be learnt.
I do think that this parable holds true. In all things, even other than the Law, we often stop ourselves out of fear. What we end up doing, though, is condemning ourselves to failure without any possibility of success. This applies to Antigone, the play by Sophocles, because, in the story, all of the citizens think that Creon's decree is morally wrong, but only Antigone stands up against him. Without the people's open support, Antigone is wrongfully punished and Creon learns of his mistake too late. Both this parable and Antigone teaches us just how important standing up for our beliefs truly is.
Kafka uses this parable to show us that we can all obtain the Law; the only thing stopping us is ourselves. We are too scared of the consequences and the tribulations we may face. We all have the right to the Law, so we should all try to get it, but we stop ourselves. The use of a parable shows just how much of a problem this truly is, for a parable is a story that teaches a lesson that must be learnt.
I do think that this parable holds true. In all things, even other than the Law, we often stop ourselves out of fear. What we end up doing, though, is condemning ourselves to failure without any possibility of success. This applies to Antigone, the play by Sophocles, because, in the story, all of the citizens think that Creon's decree is morally wrong, but only Antigone stands up against him. Without the people's open support, Antigone is wrongfully punished and Creon learns of his mistake too late. Both this parable and Antigone teaches us just how important standing up for our beliefs truly is.