In Kafka's parable, "Before the Law" it is explained that the law ultimately affects the decisions we make, and our lives. I think Kafka uses this short story to show that by following the law, and not trying to make the change you want to see, there won't be any. The man waited outside the gate to get to the law because the doorkeeper told him to. The man waited there his entire life and ended up not being able to get in. By obeying the law, the man accomplished nothing. I don't think Kafka is portraying this message in order to tell people to break the law, but I think he's saying that if you want something, you need to work for it. For example, if don't agree with a particular law, or think it should be amended, why not try to change it? There are plenty of ways to change a law without actually breaking it.
It was smart for Kafka to use a parable to make his point, because it's a lot more fascinating for the reader. Law, in my opinion, can be quite boring at times to learn and hear about. However, when presented in the right way it can be really interesting! Kafka portrays his message in the form of a parable in order to hold the reader's attention in an interesting way. It's more common for someone to want to read a fictional piece as opposed to an informational piece. Using a short story allows the author to write creatively while also getting the main point across to the reader.
This parable was mildly confusing to me after I first read it. I understood the story, I just didn't get the message. After discussing it in class, it makes so much more sense! I thought it was interesting that the doorkeeper didn't say he could never get through. By telling the man that he might be able to get in someday, just not today, it gave the man hope. When this parable was compared to "Antigone" the main idea became so much clearer. "Antigone" was an example of someone failing to obey the law. After Antigone's brother was refused a proper burial, Antigone disobeyed the law and tried to do it herself. She was then buried alive in a tomb to starve to death as her punishment. She stood up for what she believed was right, even if the odds didn't turn out in her favor. In contrast to that, the man accepted the law for what it was. He didn't try to fight it, he just listened to whatever the doorkeeper said. By not fighting for his rights, he didn't accomplish anything. He didn't endure the same type of punishment Antigone did, but I believe his true punishment was given when he wasted his life following the law and doing absolutely nothing to try to change it.
It was smart for Kafka to use a parable to make his point, because it's a lot more fascinating for the reader. Law, in my opinion, can be quite boring at times to learn and hear about. However, when presented in the right way it can be really interesting! Kafka portrays his message in the form of a parable in order to hold the reader's attention in an interesting way. It's more common for someone to want to read a fictional piece as opposed to an informational piece. Using a short story allows the author to write creatively while also getting the main point across to the reader.
This parable was mildly confusing to me after I first read it. I understood the story, I just didn't get the message. After discussing it in class, it makes so much more sense! I thought it was interesting that the doorkeeper didn't say he could never get through. By telling the man that he might be able to get in someday, just not today, it gave the man hope. When this parable was compared to "Antigone" the main idea became so much clearer. "Antigone" was an example of someone failing to obey the law. After Antigone's brother was refused a proper burial, Antigone disobeyed the law and tried to do it herself. She was then buried alive in a tomb to starve to death as her punishment. She stood up for what she believed was right, even if the odds didn't turn out in her favor. In contrast to that, the man accepted the law for what it was. He didn't try to fight it, he just listened to whatever the doorkeeper said. By not fighting for his rights, he didn't accomplish anything. He didn't endure the same type of punishment Antigone did, but I believe his true punishment was given when he wasted his life following the law and doing absolutely nothing to try to change it.