Before the Law is another example of how failing to act and remaining neutral can cause a tragedy. This parable is almost parallel to Creon's role in Antigone. Creon was too stubborn to act, and his failure to consult and consider led to the death of his wife and son. In Before the Law, the speaker tries time and time again to follow the law and get admitted through the gate. At first, when the speaker was young he thought he was worthy to pass through, but the gatekeeper knew he was not ready. The speaker was trying to skip milestones in the challenging walk of life. He failed to be admitted but not because he was disobedient with the law. The underlying meaning is that he was never loose to interpretation of the Law. He dedicated his life a certain way but in reality he should have lived his life how he saw fit.
Another way one could interpret this parable is living one way puts an individual in a box. The speaker in before the law could not harness his true potential because he never questioned the law. He was told he cannot enter because he simply is not ready. Perhaps the gatekeeper would not allow him in because he failed to question the law's authority. In a way, the speaker sealed his tragic fate by submitting to law. Extending this to Antigone, Antigone never let the law get in the way of what's right as opposed to the speaker in Before the Law. Her cause was not in vain. A truth that everyone can learn from Antigone and Before the Law is that people should always question their boundaries and limits before yielding to others.
Another way one could interpret this parable is living one way puts an individual in a box. The speaker in before the law could not harness his true potential because he never questioned the law. He was told he cannot enter because he simply is not ready. Perhaps the gatekeeper would not allow him in because he failed to question the law's authority. In a way, the speaker sealed his tragic fate by submitting to law. Extending this to Antigone, Antigone never let the law get in the way of what's right as opposed to the speaker in Before the Law. Her cause was not in vain. A truth that everyone can learn from Antigone and Before the Law is that people should always question their boundaries and limits before yielding to others.