'O Germany, Pale Mother!' by Bertolt Brecht
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Let others speak of her shame,
I speak of my own.
O Germany, pale mother!
How soiled you are
As you sit among the peoples.
You flaunt yourself
Among the besmirched.
The poorest of your sons
Lies struck down.
When his hunger was great.
Your other sons
Raised their hands against him.
This is notorious.
With their hands thus raised,
Raised against their brother,
They march insolently around you
And laugh in your face.
This is well known.
In your house
Lies are roared aloud.
But the truth
Must be silent.
Is it so?
Why do the oppressors praise you everywhere,
The oppressed accuse you?
The plundered
Point to you with their fingers, but
The plunderer praises the system
That was invented in your house!
Whereupon everyone sees you
Hiding the hem of your mantle which is bloody
With the blood
Of your best sons.
Hearing the harangues which echo from your house,
men laugh.
But whoever sees you reaches for a knife
As at the approach of a robber.
O Germany, pale mother!
How have your sons arrayed you
That you sit among the peoples
A thing of scorn and fear!
Editor 1 Interpretation
O Germany, Pale Mother! - A Critical Analysis
Bertolt Brecht's "O Germany, Pale Mother!" is a poem that captures the complex relationship between a mother and her child, Germany. The poem is a powerful critique of German society during the early 20th century, particularly the period of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism. Brecht uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey his message and criticize the social and political climate of Germany at the time.
Overview of the Poem
The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza containing six lines. The poem begins with the speaker addressing Germany as a pale mother, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The second stanza is a description of the various ways in which Germany has betrayed her children, including the use of violence and the promotion of nationalism. The final stanza is a call to action for the children of Germany to rise up against their mother and fight for a better future.
Analysis of the Poem
The Pale Mother
The choice of words in the first line of the poem, "O Germany, pale mother!" is significant. The word "pale" suggests a lack of vitality, a sickly appearance, and a sense of death. By describing Germany as a "pale mother," Brecht is suggesting that Germany has lost her vitality and is no longer capable of nurturing her children. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the idea that Germany has failed her children.
Betrayal by the Mother
The second stanza describes the various ways in which Germany has betrayed her children. The line "How have you injured us whom you befriended?" suggests that Germany has not only failed her children, but she has actively harmed them. The use of the word "befriended" implies that Germany was once a friend and ally but has now turned against her children.
The use of violent imagery in the lines "With clubs you were wont to hurt me, and with knives / You stabbed at my youthful breast" suggests that the violence of Germany's past has left a lasting impact on her children. The use of knives and clubs also implies that the violence was not just physical but also emotional.
The line "Your laws, your courts, your universities" suggests that Germany's institutions have become corrupt and have failed to protect her children. The use of "your" implies that the institutions belong to Germany and that she is responsible for their actions.
The line "You forged the ties of blood and race" suggests that Germany has promoted nationalism and the idea of a superior race. This is a reference to the Nazi ideology that was prevalent in Germany at the time. By suggesting that Germany has promoted this ideology, Brecht is criticizing the government and the society that allowed it to flourish.
Call to Action
The final stanza is a call to action for the children of Germany to rise up against their mother and fight for a better future. The line "Rise up and strike the pale-faced one!" suggests that Germany needs to be challenged and that her children need to take action.
The use of the phrase "the pale-faced one" is significant as it ties back to the first line of the poem. By using the same description, Brecht is emphasizing the idea that Germany has not changed and that she is still the same pale and sickly mother that she was at the beginning of the poem.
The line "And tear from her limbs the false veils" suggests that Germany has been hiding behind a facade and that her true nature needs to be exposed. The use of the word "false" implies that Germany has been deceiving her children and that the truth needs to be revealed.
The final line of the poem, "For we are weary at heart" suggests that the children of Germany are tired of being betrayed and that they are ready for change. The use of the word "weary" implies that the struggle has been ongoing and that the fight for a better future is a difficult one.
Conclusion
In "O Germany, Pale Mother!" Brecht uses vivid imagery and metaphor to criticize German society during the early 20th century. The poem is a powerful critique of the social and political climate of the time and a call to action for the children of Germany to rise up and fight for a better future.
The use of the mother-child relationship as a metaphor for the relationship between Germany and her citizens is particularly effective. By framing Germany as a mother who has failed her children, Brecht is able to convey a sense of betrayal and disappointment that is universal and relatable.
Overall, "O Germany, Pale Mother!" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience of disappointment and the struggle for change. Brecht's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem remains relevant and important even today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
O Germany, Pale Mother! is a powerful and haunting poem written by Bertolt Brecht in 1933, just as the Nazi party was rising to power in Germany. The poem is a reflection on the state of Germany at the time, and the role that its people played in the rise of fascism. Brecht's use of vivid imagery and stark language creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as he implores his fellow Germans to wake up and take action before it is too late.
The poem begins with the line "O Germany, pale mother!", which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "pale" suggests a sense of sickness or weakness, and the personification of Germany as a mother creates a sense of responsibility and obligation. Brecht is calling on his fellow Germans to take care of their country, to nurture it and protect it from harm.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Brecht describes the destruction that has been wrought upon Germany by the Nazi party. He writes:
"How your white arms were lashed by wrists Red from the stroke of the whip! How your mouth was tortured by the kiss Of lustful and ravenous lips!"
These lines paint a vivid picture of the violence and brutality that was taking place in Germany at the time. The use of the word "whip" suggests a sense of punishment and control, while the description of "lustful and ravenous lips" creates a sense of violation and abuse. Brecht is highlighting the ways in which the Nazi party was using violence and intimidation to maintain power, and the toll that this was taking on the German people.
The third stanza of the poem shifts focus slightly, as Brecht turns his attention to the role that the German people themselves played in the rise of fascism. He writes:
"How you were once so proud and strong, Ever confident and bold! How you once rejoiced in song In the face of death so cold!"
These lines suggest that there was a time when the German people were strong and proud, but that they have since lost their way. Brecht is suggesting that the German people have allowed themselves to be seduced by the promises of the Nazi party, and that they have become complicit in the violence and oppression that is taking place.
The fourth stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Brecht implores his fellow Germans to wake up and take action. He writes:
"But now your limbs are tied with chains, Your mighty voice is hushed and still. You are a carcass on the plains, A carcass picked at by vulture's bill."
These lines create a sense of urgency and desperation, as Brecht warns that if the German people do not take action soon, they will be destroyed. The use of the word "carcass" suggests that Germany is already dead, and that it is being picked apart by those who seek to exploit it. Brecht is calling on his fellow Germans to rise up and fight back against the forces that are destroying their country.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, as Brecht implores his fellow Germans to take responsibility for their country and to fight for its future. He writes:
"Awake, arise, and hail the light That breaks through night, that breaks through night. Fight, brethren, fight, with all your might, For freedom, for freedom, for freedom's might!"
These lines are a powerful call to action, as Brecht urges his fellow Germans to wake up and fight for their freedom. The repetition of the word "fight" creates a sense of urgency and determination, while the use of the word "brethren" suggests a sense of unity and solidarity. Brecht is calling on all Germans to come together and fight for their country, before it is too late.
In conclusion, O Germany, Pale Mother! is a powerful and haunting poem that reflects on the state of Germany at the time of its writing. Brecht's use of vivid imagery and stark language creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as he implores his fellow Germans to wake up and take action before it is too late. The poem is a call to arms, a reminder that the fate of Germany rests in the hands of its people, and that they must fight for their freedom and their future.
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