Introduction
‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ is a luminous piece of literary work by German author Bertolt Brecht. This play is considered to be one of the greatest anti war plays of all times. The author has presented some very relevant issues in his novel. The novel was written a long time ago but is still acclaimed for its expressive views on wars and its repercussions. Brecht raises questions on the necessity and morality of fighting wars in his play. This paper aims to propose a discussion on the play, ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’ and further presents an analysis of the novel.
Background
The play has become part of school education. The plays is taught in different schools in various parts of the world. It has earned a wide reputation in the world of literature. The play is performed by artists in various parts of the world. It has earned a reputation of the greatest play in the anti-war genre. The play has succeeded in becoming a literary and theater canon in the world. The play is acclaimed by readers, as well as, by critics for its realistic and vivid portrayal of human emotions and anti-war ideas.
Brecht’s portrayal of the futility of wars is amazing. The author has presented his views in different settings and perspectives. His views are appreciated by many and presented in different manner by a number of artists over a period of time. Brecht’s play is usually considered to be an anti war play but indeed it is more than that. The moral and practical aspect of the novel cannot be overlooked. The author raises various crucial issues that affect the humanity since a long time.
The play was written in the year 1939 when Germany attacked Poland and First World War started. Brecht was always against views of Adolf Hitler and used to criticize him for encouraging Nazism and fascism. Brecht was against violence and the idea of using force in order to implement personal views on others. He opposed capturing of Poland and attack on various other territories. The author shaped his views in form of his play and presented the same to the readers (Thomson).
Brecht was an ambulance driver in the period of First World War. He witnessed some ghastly tings and his psyche was severely affected by such things. He was naturally victimized by seeing violence and similar things. When the First World War was over, the Second World War started. He witnessed both of them and his mind was filled with negativity and abhorrence. Brecht used writing to express his anger and views. He was against violence because of his experiences and things that he saw in his life.
Brecht was forced to go in exile and he started writing mother courage in the Sweden. When this play was prepared and performed in Berlin, the play received acclamations but that was a horrible period for people like Brecht in the Germany. When he returned into Reich, the city he belonged to, the city was devastated and other parts of Germany were also destroyed. It again strengthened Brecht’s views that violence and wars cannot do any god for the humanity. Wars are not the solutions but they create many problems (Rouse).
Discussion and Analysis
Brecht appears afraid of attack of atom bombs. Atom bombs were very common subject of discussion in those times in warring areas. He was associated with a profession that used to serve wounded and killed people in wars. The author suspected any such unfortunate situation and expressed his views in light of all these circumstances. His play is considered anti war play but moreover it is a logical expression of many things and presentation of views in context of wars. Brecht expresses his fear and anger in these words, “The planet is going to burst, Those it bred will destroy it” (Brecht).
The play depicts war as apocalypse and archenemy that annihilate human breed from this planet. The author also suggests that wars are a medium of gains for some people who rip the crops of violence and they deliberately indulge into wars for various types of gains. These gains may be financial, desire for reputation or any other selfishness. Brecht criticizes wars and says that wars are intended to gulp down human life and humanity.
She believes in moving ahead without considering the consequences. The woman, portrayed in the play, refusesto realize how tragic circumstances around her are. She believes or perg\haps fearful of looking back because she belives that loking back may weaken her. The author has presented and portrayed this character that may inspire people and at the same time, it may suggest them to be wiser. The woman is portrayed tough but certain traits of her personality keep her confused. Her decisions make her lonely and she fails in reaching conclusions even after makig good choices (Lennox).
Scholary Interpretation
Lennox (1978) in his research study analyzed the role of women in Brecht’s work. The author mentioned that Brecht depicted different sides of personality of a mother in his play “Mother Courage and her Children”. On one hand the mother wants to earn money from ongoing war in order to improve her life and financial condition, on other hand, she is losing her children one by one because of war. The play is not set in contemporary era and portrayed conditions of 16th century. The author portrayed Mother Courage in the play as a women with strong will and confidence (Lennox).
Brecht tries to demonstrate the problem faced by women in our society and this is clearly reflected in the play. Mother courage has good sense of business and confidence but she faced different types of trouble at different levels throughout the play. Lennox said that Brecht’s work truly reflect the Marxism style in the content and style of the play. Scholars believe that Brecht work get impacted by his personal life and image of women shown in his play get trapped in his stereotype. Brecht in his personal life was a real chauvinism person, who was found involved with various women and same impacts his work significantly (Lennox).
The play after initial performances, received criticism as Mother Courage lost all her three children due to her focus towards money and also receive sympathy in the play. However, Brecht mentioned that people did not understand his main idea properly. Brecht said that his intention was to show how Mother Courage did not understand the circumstances that she and her children were facing which resulted in major loss. Brecht modify the play in 1949 and made the character of Mother Courage unkind and harsh to the viewers.
Rouse (1984) in his article talks about the focus of Brecht towards epic performance, acting and story. According to the author, Mother Courage in the play show her responsibilities towards her children, but she is also influenced by the H. Weigel i.e. second wife of Brecht who played the leading role in the play. The author said that Weigel used to bite the coin in order to ensure that it is real which clearly shows her inclination towards money and he same was reflected in the play (Rouse).
Rouse said that Mother Courage is excellent example of Epic Theater and ‘estrangement effect’, the main concepts used by Brecht in his play. Estrangement effect was created in the play by using placards that inform audience about events associated with different scenes, actors and their characters, costumes, juxtaposition, use of scenery, narrations and props. For example, during the play one tree will be considered as a forest and stage will be flooded with bright light even if story is showing the winter night scene or day scene. Songs throughout the play were used to convey the themes and informing audience about the main idea of the author in the scenes and story(Rouse).
Wixon (2013) in his research study analyzed the works of Brecht and Wilder. The author analyzed literary components used by both the authors. According to Wixon, Brecht contributed significantly in German drama. Brecht work received much attention from the audience and Wilder’s works show clear influence of Brecht. The author talks about Mother Courage by saying that her character very notable and unique which attracted the audience to watch the play. Brecht went ahead of other writers and written something that is different. In his play, Brecht showed a mother who is not very emotional like other mothers and focused on earning money (Wixon).
Winston (2006) in his article talked about use of neo-Aristotelian theory and Aristotelian theory used by the Brecht in his play. Winston said that Brecht significantly influenced the educational drama and contributed towards Aristotelian theater. The author said that Brecht used moral engagement very effectively in his play ‘Mother Courage and her Children’. Brecht displayed emotions in manner that it communicates true perspective and emotions rather than misleading the audience (Winston).
Critical Thinking
Brecht was a logical man who viewed things with a diferent perspective. His political views and prsonality is reflected in his play, ‘Mother Courage and her Children’. His play inspires readers to veiw things with different perspectives. This play is about a mother who lives in a world that is defined by violence. This woman appears making catastrophic choices in the play and these choices are indeed very troublesome. This woman does not believe in turning back.
At various places, it appears that the author is making things complicated but indeed the author instructs like visionary guardian. The play instructs people to stay away from wars. The play directs people to be courageous and take decisions. The play describes that courage may make us to commit mistakes but at the end of day, it empowers us to keep fighting. It would have certainly better if there was more clarity but certain amount of vagueness makes readers wise. It lets them interpret things and analyses them in their real life.
Conclusion
After going through the play, it can be conclude that the author has presented a very luminous piece of literarature in form of the play, ‘Mother Courage and Her Children’. Readers may interpret tgis play as anti war play or a logical presentation of an individual’s views but in both cases, author’s work deserves to be appreciated. Brecht has succeeded in preewnting a play that inspires people and compels them to think twice before advocating in favor of wars. His play is a realistic portrayal of various logical findings and facts. Wars do not solve problems, they create problems for humanity. They tend to eliminate human beings and the humanity from the earth.
Works Cited
Brecht, Bertolt. Mother Courage and Her Children. London: A&C Black, 2009.
Lennox, Sara. "Women in Brecht's Works." New German Critique, 14 (1978): 83-96.
Rouse, John. "Brecht and the Contradictory Actor." Theatre Journal, 36(1) (1984): 25-42.
Thomson, Peter. Brecht: Mother Courage and Her Children. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
Winston, Joe. "Emotion, Reason and Moral Engagement in Drama." RiDE: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 1(2) (1996): 189-200.
Wixon, Douglas Charles. "The Dramatic Techniques Of Thornton Wilder And Bertolt Brecht: A Study In Comparison." Modern Drama, 15(2) (1972): 112-124.
