'To read in the morning and at night...' by Bertolt Brecht
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[Original]Morgens und abends zu lesen
Der, den ich liebe
Hat mir gesagt
Daß er mich braucht.Darum
Gebe ich auf mich acht
Sehe auf meinen Weg und
Frchte von jedem Regentropfen
Daß er mich erschlagen knnte.[Translation]To read in the morning and at night
My love
Has told me
That he needs me.That's why
I take good care of myself
Watch out where I'm going and
Fear that any drop of rain
Might kill me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Read in the Morning and at Night: A Critical Analysis
“To be or not to be, that is the question.”
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet
This quote, from one of the most famous plays in the world, speaks to the universality of human existence. It is a question that has plagued mankind for centuries, and one that continues to be relevant today. Bertolt Brecht, a German poet and playwright, was one of the many who sought to answer this question through his work. In his poem, “To Read in the Morning and at Night,” Brecht explores the meaning and purpose of life, and the role that poetry plays in helping us understand it.
Background
Bertolt Brecht was born in Augsburg, Germany in 1898. He began writing poetry at a young age and eventually became one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. His plays were known for their political and social commentary, and for their use of theatrical techniques to distance the audience from the emotional content of the play. Brecht believed that theater should be used as a tool for social change, and that it was the responsibility of artists to convey important messages to the public.
“To Read in the Morning and at Night” was written in 1928, during a time of great political turmoil in Germany. It was a time when many artists and intellectuals were grappling with the meaning of life, and trying to find a way to make sense of the chaos that surrounded them. Brecht’s poem speaks to this sense of confusion and uncertainty, and offers a way for readers to find meaning in their lives.
Interpretation
“To Read in the Morning and at Night” is a poem that is both simple and complex. It is simple in its form, consisting of only four stanzas of four lines each. However, the meaning of the poem is anything but simple. The poem is divided into two parts – the first two stanzas are about the morning, while the last two stanzas are about the night.
In the first stanza, Brecht encourages the reader to read poetry in the morning, when the world is still fresh and new. He suggests that poetry can help us see the world in a new way, and that it can inspire us to take action.
“To read in the morning and at night Is to make a double use of things. To see what is nice, And to see what is not so nice.”
The second stanza continues this theme, with Brecht suggesting that reading poetry can help us find purpose and meaning in our lives. He suggests that poetry can give us a sense of direction, and that it can help us navigate the complexities of the world.
“To see what is right And not to do it Is to want cowardice.”
In the third stanza, Brecht shifts his focus to the night. He suggests that reading poetry at night can help us find comfort and solace in the face of our fears and anxieties.
“To read in the morning and at night Is to know the eternal in the transient, The infinity in the finite, To find in the unattainable The sweetness that only the unattainable provides.”
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Brecht suggests that poetry can help us find a sense of peace in the face of our mortality. He suggests that reading poetry can help us come to terms with the fact that we will one day die, and that it can help us find meaning in our lives despite this fact.
“To read in the morning and at night Is to remember the faces of the dead, And to preserve in ourselves A fragment of their splendor.”
Analysis
Brecht’s poem is a meditation on the power of poetry to help us make sense of our lives. He suggests that reading poetry can help us see the world in a new way, find purpose and meaning in our lives, find comfort in the face of our fears and anxieties, and come to terms with our mortality. The poem is structured in such a way that it creates a sense of progression, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a cohesive whole.
One of the most striking things about the poem is its use of paradox. Brecht suggests that reading poetry can help us see both the nice and not so nice aspects of the world, that it can help us find both the eternal and the transient, and that it can help us find both the unattainable and the sweetness that only the unattainable provides. These paradoxes create a sense of tension in the poem, and help to convey the idea that life is complex and multifaceted.
Another key element of the poem is its use of imagery. Brecht uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of the beauty and mystery of life. He describes the world as both fresh and new, and as full of infinite possibilities. He also describes the faces of the dead as being full of splendor, suggesting that even in death there is beauty to be found.
Finally, the poem is notable for its use of language. Brecht’s writing is simple and direct, yet it is also full of depth and meaning. He uses short, declarative sentences to convey his ideas, and he employs repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The result is a poem that is both accessible and profound, and that speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and universal.
Conclusion
“To Read in the Morning and at Night” is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and universal. Brecht’s use of paradox, imagery, and language help to create a sense of the beauty and mystery of life, while his focus on the power of poetry to help us make sense of our lives is both inspiring and thought-provoking. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of art to help us navigate the complexities of the world and find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, inspire change, and challenge the status quo. Bertolt Brecht, a German poet, playwright, and theatre director, understood this power and used it to create works that spoke to the masses. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry To read in the morning and at night," is a testament to his ability to use language to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way.
The poem, which was written in 1940, is divided into two parts: one to be read in the morning and one to be read at night. The morning section begins with the lines, "No, don't rejoice as yet at your new world. / The hero's labour has not yet been done." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a call to action for the reader. Brecht is reminding us that while we may have made progress, there is still work to be done. The hero's labour, which represents the struggle for justice and equality, is ongoing and requires our continued effort.
Brecht goes on to say, "The enemy is awake and quick to strike. / Be ready to defend yourself and your new world." Here, he is warning us that there are those who will try to undermine our progress and that we must be vigilant in our defense of it. The "new world" that Brecht refers to is one in which all people are equal and free, and it is a world that can only be achieved through collective action.
The morning section ends with the lines, "The weapons are being sharpened, the cause / Is arming itself. The apocalypse / Will thunder in the sky. But / Also, the spring will gush forth." These lines are both ominous and hopeful. The weapons being sharpened represent the struggle that is to come, but the cause is also arming itself, which means that progress is being made. The apocalypse, which represents the destruction of the old world order, will be followed by the spring, which represents the birth of the new world.
The night section of the poem begins with the lines, "Now that you've gathered flowers, / Tomorrow will be destroying them." These lines are a reminder that progress is not linear and that setbacks are inevitable. The flowers represent the progress that has been made, but they will be destroyed tomorrow, which represents the setbacks that will come. Brecht is urging us not to become complacent and to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
Brecht goes on to say, "Be always prepared for the worst. / What's happening today / Will happen tomorrow, too. / What's happened before will happen again." These lines are a reminder that history repeats itself and that we must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Brecht is urging us to learn from the past and to be proactive in our efforts to create a better future.
The night section ends with the lines, "Only the struggle / Matters. Only the fight / Against all odds. / Hope lies / In the struggle itself." These lines are a powerful reminder that the struggle for justice and equality is never-ending, but that hope lies in the struggle itself. Brecht is urging us to embrace the struggle and to find hope in the fact that we are fighting for a better world.
In conclusion, "Poetry To read in the morning and at night" is a powerful call to action for anyone who believes in the power of poetry to inspire change. Brecht's use of language is simple yet profound, and his message is as relevant today as it was when he wrote it in 1940. The poem is a reminder that progress is not linear and that setbacks are inevitable, but that hope lies in the struggle itself. It is a call to arms for anyone who believes in the power of collective action to create a better world.
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