'My young son asks me...' by Bertolt Brecht

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My young son asks me: Must I learn mathematics?
What is the use, I feel like saying. That two pieces
Of bread are more than one's about all you'll end up with.
My young son asks me: Must I learn French?
What is the use, I feel like saying. This State's collapsing.
And if you just rub your belly with your hand and
Groan, you'll be understood with little trouble.
My young son asks me: Must I learn history?
What is the use, I feel like saying. Learn to stick
Your head in the earth, and maybe you'll still survive.Yes, learn mathematics, I tell him.
Learn your French, learn your history!

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Young Son Asks Me by Bertolt Brecht

Have you ever read a poem that is so simple yet so profound? A poem that speaks to your heart and your mind at the same time? That is what Bertolt Brecht's "My Young Son Asks Me" does to me every time I read it. This poem is a masterpiece of political poetry that shows Brecht's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex ideas with simplicity.

Overview

"My Young Son Asks Me" is a short poem, only six lines long, that was published in 1933. The poem is written in free verse, without a regular rhyme or meter. The poem is addressed to the poet's young son, who asks him a question about the world. The poem is, in essence, a response to the son's question.

Analysis

The poem begins with a simple question from the poet's young son: "What is the world like, father?" The question is both innocent and profound. The son is asking his father to explain the world to him, to give him a sense of what the world is like. The father's response is equally simple and profound: "The world is unjust, my son."

At first glance, this seems like a pessimistic view of the world. The father is telling his son that the world is unfair, that life is not a level playing field. But as we read on, we see that the father is not just being pessimistic. He is also being realistic. He is telling his son the truth about the world.

The next line of the poem is where Brecht's genius really shines through: "But I will teach you how to make it just." Here, the father is not just accepting the world as it is, he is also giving his son a sense of agency. He is telling his son that he can make the world a better place, that he can work to make the world more just.

The final three lines of the poem provide us with a sense of how the father plans to teach his son to make the world just. He tells his son that they will start with small things, like sharing their food with others. He then goes on to say that they will learn to be brave and stand up for what is right. Finally, he tells his son that they will learn to be patient and persistent, to never give up in the face of injustice.

Interpretation

"My Young Son Asks Me" is a poem that speaks to us on many levels. On the surface, it is a simple conversation between a father and his son. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we see that it is much more than that. It is a political poem that speaks to the struggles of the working class and the need for social justice.

The poem is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, a time when millions of people were struggling to make ends meet. Brecht was a Marxist and a committed socialist, and he saw the poverty and inequality of the Great Depression as a sign of the failure of capitalism. In "My Young Son Asks Me," he is not just speaking to his son, he is speaking to all of us. He is telling us that the world is unjust, but that we can make it just.

The poem is also a call to action. The father is not content to simply complain about the world. He is actively working to make it a better place, and he is teaching his son to do the same. The poem is a challenge to all of us to take action, to stand up for what is right, and to work towards a more just society.

Conclusion

Brecht's "My Young Son Asks Me" is a poem that is both simple and profound. It speaks to us on many levels, and it challenges us to take action. The poem is a reminder that the world is unjust, but it is also a call to action. It is a call to stand up for what is right, to work towards a more just society, and to never give up in the face of injustice.

Have you ever read a poem that has inspired you to take action? A poem that has challenged you to make the world a better place? If not, then I urge you to read "My Young Son Asks Me." It is a poem that will speak to your heart and your mind, and it may just inspire you to take action.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a powerful medium that can convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and impactful manner. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers is "My young son asks me..." by Bertolt Brecht. This poem is a poignant reflection on the nature of poetry and its role in society. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this poem, and how they contribute to its enduring appeal.

Firstly, let us examine the structure of the poem. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a conversational tone, as if the speaker is having a dialogue with their young son. The lack of formal structure also allows the poem to flow naturally, without any constraints on the poet's expression.

The poem begins with the speaker's young son asking them what poetry is. This innocent question sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the speaker attempts to explain the elusive nature of poetry. The first stanza reads:

"What is poetry? you ask while fixing your blue eyes on me. How shall I answer you? Poetry is not a thing of words alone, it lives on the tears in your eyes and in your hair, it lives in the sound of the wind and the sea."

Here, the speaker acknowledges the difficulty of defining poetry. They reject the notion that poetry is simply a collection of words, and instead suggest that it is something that exists beyond language. The use of the phrase "tears in your eyes and in your hair" is particularly evocative, as it suggests that poetry is born out of intense emotion and experience. The reference to the "sound of the wind and the sea" also highlights the idea that poetry is connected to the natural world, and that it can be found in the rhythms and patterns of nature.

The second stanza continues this theme of poetry being a product of experience and emotion. It reads:

"Real poetry springs from the depths of the heart, it is a cry of anguish or a burst of joy. It is not a mere play of words, not a mere trick of rhyme, it is a way of life that flows from the soul."

Here, the speaker emphasizes the importance of authenticity in poetry. They suggest that true poetry comes from the heart, and that it is a reflection of the poet's innermost thoughts and feelings. The use of the words "anguish" and "joy" highlights the range of emotions that poetry can express. The speaker also rejects the idea that poetry is simply a game of words or a clever use of rhyme. Instead, they suggest that poetry is a way of life, a way of being in the world that is rooted in the soul.

The third stanza takes a more critical tone, as the speaker reflects on the role of poetry in society. It reads:

"Poetry is not a civilizer, rather the reverse, for great poetry springs from the wounds of the oppressed. And who among us can claim to be civilized, when all around us are the cries of the dispossessed?"

Here, the speaker challenges the idea that poetry is a tool for civilization or social progress. They suggest that great poetry often arises from the suffering of the oppressed, and that it can be a powerful tool for resistance and rebellion. The use of the word "civilized" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees society as inherently unjust and oppressive. The reference to the "cries of the dispossessed" highlights the idea that poetry can be a voice for the marginalized and the voiceless.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the question of what poetry is. It reads:

"So when my son asks me what poetry is, I tell him that poetry is the breath and the finer spirit of all knowledge, it is the impassioned expression which is in the countenance of all science. It is the embodiment of the true and the beautiful, and it is the voice of the oppressed and the dispossessed."

Here, the speaker offers a more comprehensive definition of poetry. They suggest that poetry is not just a product of emotion and experience, but also a form of knowledge and expression. The use of the phrase "the breath and the finer spirit of all knowledge" is particularly striking, as it suggests that poetry is a fundamental aspect of human understanding. The reference to the "countenance of all science" also highlights the idea that poetry and science are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary ways of understanding the world. Finally, the speaker reiterates the idea that poetry can be a voice for the oppressed and the dispossessed, emphasizing the political and social significance of this art form.

In conclusion, "My young son asks me..." is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of poetry and its role in society. Through its use of evocative imagery, conversational tone, and critical reflection, the poem offers a nuanced and complex understanding of this art form. It reminds us that poetry is not just a collection of words, but a way of being in the world that is rooted in emotion, experience, and social justice. As such, it continues to resonate with readers today, and serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry.

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