'To Those Born After' by Bertolt Brecht


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ITo the cities I came in a time of disorder
That was ruled by hunger.
I sheltered with the people in a time of uproar
And then I joined in their rebellion.
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth.I ate my dinners between the battles,
I lay down to sleep among the murderers,
I didn't care for much for love
And for nature's beauties I had little patience.
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth.The city streets all led to foul swamps in my time,
My speech betrayed me to the butchers.
I could do only little
But without me those that ruled could not sleep so easily:
That's what I hoped.
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth.Our forces were slight and small,
Our goal lay in the far distance
Clearly in our sights,
If for me myself beyond my reaching.
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth.IIYou who will come to the surface
From the flood that's overwhelmed us and drowned us all
Must think, when you speak of our weakness in times of darkness
That you've not had to face:Days when we were used to changing countries
More often than shoes,
Through the war of the classes despairing
That there was only injustice and no outrage.Even so we realised
Hatred of oppression still distorts the features,
Anger at injustice still makes voices raised and ugly.
Oh we, who wished to lay for the foundations for peace and friendliness,
Could never be friendly ourselves.And in the future when no longer
Do human beings still treat themselves as animals,
Look back on us with indulgence.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Those Born After: A Critical Interpretation

Bertolt Brecht is considered one of the most revolutionary poets in the history of modern literature. His poetry is known for its use of unconventional imagery, and for its ability to challenge the traditional notions of poetry. Among his most celebrated works is the poem "To Those Born After," which was written in 1939, and has been the subject of countless interpretations by scholars and critics over the years. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this poem, exploring its themes, symbolism, and significance in the context of Brecht's wider body of work.

Background

Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to provide some context for Brecht's life and work, as this will help us to better understand his poetry. Bertolt Brecht was born in Germany in 1898, and is widely regarded as one of the most important playwrights, poets, and thinkers of the 20th century. His work is characterized by a commitment to social justice, and a belief that art should be used to challenge the status quo and promote change.

Brecht's poetry is known for its unconventional style, which often involves the use of stark images and direct language to convey complex ideas. He was a master of the epic theater, a form of theater that sought to engage audiences in critical thinking and social reflection. Brecht's poetry is also heavily influenced by Marxism, and his belief in the need for a revolutionary transformation of society.

Poem Analysis

Now let us turn our attention to the poem itself. "To Those Born After" is a short, powerful poem that speaks to the future generations that will emerge after Brecht's death. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different theme or idea.

Stanza 1: The World of Today

The first stanza of the poem describes the world as it existed at the time of Brecht's writing. He writes that the world of today is a world of oppression and exploitation, dominated by the powerful and wealthy. The language he uses is stark and confrontational, with images of violence and destruction that are intended to shock the reader into action.

For example, he writes: "Truly, I live in dark times! / The guileless word is folly. / A smooth forehead / Suggests insensitivity. / The man who laughs / Has simply not yet / Had the terrible news." These lines convey a sense of despair and hopelessness, as if Brecht is saying that the world is so broken that even laughter is a sign of ignorance or denial.

Stanza 2: Hope for the Future

The second stanza of the poem pivots from this sense of despair to a message of hope for the future. Brecht writes that despite the darkness of the present moment, there is still the possibility for change. He suggests that the future generations have the power to create a better world, one that is free from the oppression and exploitation that defines the present.

He writes: "What times are these, in which / A conversation about trees is almost a crime / Because it implies silence about so many horrors? / That man there calmly crossing the street / Is already perhaps beyond the reach of his friends / Who are in need?" These lines suggest that even small acts of resistance, like talking about trees, can be the seeds of larger change.

Stanza 3: A Call to Action

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Brecht writes that the future generations must not be complacent, but must instead be active in the struggle for justice and equality. He suggests that the only way to create a better world is through collective action, and that each generation must do its part to bring about change.

He writes: "It is true: I earn my living / But, believe me, it is only an accident. / Nothing that I do entitles me to eat my fill. / By chance I was spared. (If my luck leaves me I am lost.) / They tell me: eat and drink. Be glad you have it! / But how can I eat and drink when my food / Is snatched from the hungry / And my glass of water belongs to the thirsty?" These lines are a powerful indictment of the systems of oppression that exist in the world, and a call to action for the future generations to rise up and challenge them.

Symbolism

One of the most striking features of "To Those Born After" is its use of powerful and evocative imagery. Brecht uses these images to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both immediate and visceral.

For example, he writes: "The first time it was reported that our friends were being butchered there was a cry of horror. Then a hundred were butchered. But when a thousand were butchered and there was no end to the butchery, a blanket of silence spread. When evil-doing comes like falling rain, nobody calls out "stop!" When crimes begin to pile up they become invisible. When sufferings become unendurable the cries are no longer heard."

These lines are a powerful indictment of the violence that exists in the world, and the way that it can become normalized and accepted over time. The image of crimes piling up until they become invisible is particularly striking, as it suggests that the violence and oppression that exists in the world is like a disease that can spread and infect everything around it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "To Those Born After" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the heart of the human struggle for justice and equality. Brecht's use of stark imagery and direct language is intended to shock the reader into action, and to inspire a sense of hope and possibility for the future. This poem is a testament to Brecht's commitment to social justice, and to his belief in the power of art to challenge the status quo and promote change. Whether read as a political manifesto or a cry for help, "To Those Born After" remains one of the most important and influential works of modern poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Those Born After: A Masterpiece of Brechtian Poetry

Bertolt Brecht, the German poet, playwright, and theatre director, is known for his unique style of poetry that challenges the traditional notions of beauty and aesthetics. His poem, Poetry To Those Born After, is a masterpiece of Brechtian poetry that reflects his political and social views. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a direct address to the future generations, those who will be born after the poet's time. Brecht's intention is to communicate his message to the future generations, who he believes will have a better understanding of the world than his contemporaries. He writes:

"Truly, I live in dark times! An artless word is foolish. A smooth forehead Points to insensitivity. He who laughs Has not yet received The terrible news."

These lines set the tone for the poem, which is one of despair and disillusionment. Brecht is lamenting the state of the world he lives in, which he sees as dark and hopeless. He believes that the people of his time are insensitive and ignorant, unable to see the terrible news that is unfolding around them. The use of the exclamation mark in the first line emphasizes the urgency of the poet's message, while the repetition of the word "terrible" in the last line creates a sense of foreboding.

Brecht then goes on to describe the world he lives in, which he sees as a place of injustice and oppression. He writes:

"What times are these, in which A conversation about trees is almost a crime Because it implies silence about so many horrors?"

Here, Brecht is criticizing the society he lives in, which he sees as prioritizing trivial matters over the important issues that need to be addressed. The reference to trees is symbolic of nature and the environment, which are often overlooked in the face of more pressing concerns. Brecht is suggesting that the people of his time are too preoccupied with their own lives to care about the bigger picture.

The poem then takes a turn as Brecht begins to address the future generations directly. He writes:

"That's why I'm taking the liberty of addressing you In the hope that you'll change the course."

Brecht is appealing to the future generations to take action and change the course of history. He believes that they have the power to make a difference and create a better world. The use of the word "liberty" suggests that Brecht sees himself as a messenger, passing on his message to those who will be able to act on it.

Brecht then goes on to describe the kind of world he hopes the future generations will create. He writes:

"Alter the landscape of your cities In accordance with your dreams. And build up the world in which you want to live."

Brecht is encouraging the future generations to dream big and create a world that reflects their values and aspirations. He believes that they have the power to shape their own destiny and create a better future for themselves and for others. The use of the word "landscape" suggests that Brecht sees the world as a canvas that can be painted with the brushstrokes of human imagination.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn as Brecht reflects on the nature of poetry and its role in society. He writes:

"Poetry, it would seem, Is a luxury, so precious we can't afford it In times of crisis. It entertains us, distracts us, And makes us forget the harsh realities of life."

Brecht is suggesting that poetry is often seen as a luxury, something that is only valued in times of peace and prosperity. He believes that in times of crisis, poetry is seen as irrelevant and unimportant. However, he also believes that poetry has the power to inspire and motivate people to take action. The use of the word "luxury" suggests that Brecht sees poetry as something that is valuable and worth preserving, even in difficult times.

The poem then concludes with a call to action, as Brecht urges the future generations to take up the mantle of social and political change. He writes:

"You, who will emerge from the flood In which we have gone under, Think— When you speak of our weaknesses, Also of the dark time That brought them forth."

Brecht is reminding the future generations that the world they inherit will be shaped by the actions of their predecessors. He is urging them to learn from the mistakes of the past and to work towards creating a better future. The use of the word "flood" suggests that Brecht sees the world as a turbulent and unpredictable place, where change can happen suddenly and unexpectedly.

In terms of structure, the poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, while the second and third stanzas describe the world the poet lives in. The fourth stanza addresses the future generations directly, while the fifth stanza reflects on the nature of poetry. The final stanza concludes the poem with a call to action.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of repetition, metaphor, and direct address. The repetition of the word "terrible" in the first stanza creates a sense of foreboding, while the metaphor of the landscape in the fourth stanza suggests the power of human imagination. The direct address to the future generations throughout the poem creates a sense of urgency and immediacy.

In conclusion, Poetry To Those Born After is a masterpiece of Brechtian poetry that reflects the poet's political and social views. The poem is a call to action, urging the future generations to take up the mantle of social and political change. Brecht's use of metaphor, repetition, and direct address creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, while his message of hope and possibility inspires us to dream big and create a better world.

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