'To Posterity' by Bertolt Brecht

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1.Indeed I live in the dark ages!
A guileless word is an absurdity. A smooth forehead betokens
A hard heart. He who laughs
Has not yet heard
The terrible tidings.Ah, what an age it is
When to speak of trees is almost a crime
For it is a kind of silence about injustice!
And he who walks calmly across the street,
Is he not out of reach of his friends
In trouble?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?
And yet I eat and drink.I would gladly be wise.
The old books tell us what wisdom is:
Avoid the strife of the world
Live out your little time
Fearing no one
Using no violence
Returning good for evil --
Not fulfillment of desire but forgetfulness
Passes for wisdom.
I can do none of this:
Indeed I live in the dark ages!2.I came to the cities in a time of disorder
When hunger ruled.
I came among men in a time of uprising
And I revolted with them.
So the time passed away
Which on earth was given me.I ate my food between massacres.
The shadow of murder lay upon my sleep.
And when I loved, I loved with indifference.
I looked upon nature with impatience.
So the time passed away
Which on earth was given me.In my time streets led to the quicksand.
Speech betrayed me to the slaughterer.
There was little I could do. But without me
The rulers would have been more secure. This was my hope.
So the time passed away
Which on earth was given me.3.You, who shall emerge from the flood
In which we are sinking,
Think --
When you speak of our weaknesses,
Also of the dark time
That brought them forth.For we went,changing our country more often than our shoes.
In the class war, despairing
When there was only injustice and no resistance.For we knew only too well:
Even the hatred of squalor
Makes the brow grow stern.
Even anger against injustice
Makes the voice grow harsh. Alas, we
Who wished to lay the foundations of kindness
Could not ourselves be kind.But you, when at last it comes to pass
That man can help his fellow man,
Do no judge us
Too harshly.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Posterity: A Critique and Interpretation of Brecht's Masterpiece

Bertolt Brecht's "To Posterity" is a poetic masterpiece that speaks to the essence of human existence, the role of art in society, and the power of language to transcend time and space. Written in 1939 as a reflection on the atrocities of World War II and the rise of fascism, the poem is both a lamentation and a call to action, a poignant reminder that the struggle for justice and equality is ongoing and that the future belongs to those who are willing to fight for it.

At its core, "To Posterity" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of all things. Brecht begins by addressing posterity, the generations yet to come, and in doing so, he acknowledges the fleeting nature of human existence. He writes:

"Truly, I live in dark times! The guileless word is foolish. A smooth forehead Suggests insensitivity. The man who laughs Has simply not yet had The terrible news."

Here, Brecht is acknowledging the darkness and despair of his time, the sense that everything is falling apart, and that the very foundations of society are being uprooted. He laments the loss of innocence and the corruption of language, the way that words have lost their power to convey truth and meaning in a world that has gone mad.

Yet even as he acknowledges the darkness, Brecht refuses to succumb to despair. Instead, he calls on posterity to remember the struggles of the past and to carry on the fight for justice and equality. 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 suggesting that it is our duty to speak out against the injustices of the world, even if doing so is difficult or dangerous. He is saying that we must not be silent in the face of oppression and violence, that we must use our voices and our art to bear witness to the struggles of our time.

Throughout the poem, Brecht draws on a range of poetic techniques to convey his message. He uses repetition to create a sense of urgency and to emphasize the importance of his message. He writes:

"You, who shall emerge from the flood In which we are sinking, Think-- When you speak of our weaknesses, Also of the dark time That brought them forth."

Here, the repetition of the phrase "think" emphasizes the importance of reflection and introspection, the need to examine our own weaknesses and to understand the root causes of the problems we face.

Brecht also uses metaphor and imagery to create a sense of depth and richness in his poetry. He writes:

"There is only one thing you can do: Learn to see and to read. To accustom yourself To plumb the depths of the pool that lies beneath the surface."

Here, the metaphor of the pool suggests the hidden depths of human experience, the need to look beyond the surface to understand the complexities of the human condition.

Ultimately, "To Posterity" is a call to action, a reminder that the struggle for justice and equality is ongoing, and that it is up to us to carry on the fight. Brecht writes:

"You, who shall emerge from the flood In which we are sinking, Consider-- When you speak of our weaknesses, Also the dark time That brought them forth."

Here, Brecht is urging posterity to look to the past to understand the present, to recognize the ways in which our weaknesses are rooted in the injustices of history. He is saying that we must not be complacent, but rather, we must be willing to fight for a better future.

In conclusion, "To Posterity" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the essence of human existence and the role of art in society. It is a call to action that reminds us of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, and of our responsibility to carry on that fight into the future. Brecht's use of poetic techniques such as repetition, metaphor, and imagery creates a sense of depth and richness in his poetry, and his message is one that resonates across time and space. Whether we are living in dark times or times of light, "To Posterity" serves as a reminder of the power of language to transcend the limitations of the present and to inspire us to strive for a better future.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Posterity: A Masterpiece by Bertolt Brecht

Bertolt Brecht, a German poet, playwright, and theatre director, is known for his works that challenge the traditional notions of art and literature. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Poetry To Posterity," which is a reflection on the role of poetry in society and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The first part begins with the line "I would like to describe the simplest emotion," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Brecht is not interested in grandiose or complex emotions; instead, he wants to focus on the basic human experience. He goes on to describe the feeling of being in love, but he does so in a way that is not sentimental or romantic. Instead, he uses simple, direct language to convey the intensity of the emotion.

The second part of the poem is where Brecht really begins to delve into the role of poetry in society. He writes, "What kind of poetry do we want?" and goes on to answer his own question by saying that he wants poetry that is "useful." This is a radical departure from the traditional view of poetry as something that is meant to be beautiful or profound. Brecht believes that poetry should serve a practical purpose, whether it is to inspire people to action or to help them understand complex ideas.

Brecht also emphasizes the importance of poetry being accessible to everyone. He writes, "We want to sing the love of danger, the habit of energy and rashness." This is a call to arms for poets to write about the struggles and challenges of everyday life, rather than focusing on lofty or abstract concepts. Brecht believes that poetry should be a tool for social change, and that it should be written in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.

The final part of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Brecht 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." This is a plea to future generations to remember the struggles and hardships of the past, and to learn from them. Brecht believes that poetry is a way to preserve the memory of these struggles, and that it is the duty of poets to ensure that their work is passed down to future generations.

Overall, "Poetry To Posterity" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional notions of poetry and art. Brecht's emphasis on the practical uses of poetry and its accessibility to everyone is a radical departure from the elitist view of poetry that was prevalent at the time. His call to arms for poets to write about the struggles of everyday life is a reminder that poetry can be a tool for social change. And his plea to future generations to remember the struggles of the past is a testament to the power of poetry to preserve the memory of human experience.

In conclusion, "Poetry To Posterity" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Brecht's vision of poetry as a practical and accessible art form is as relevant now as it was when he wrote the poem over 80 years ago. His call to arms for poets to write about the struggles of everyday life is a reminder that poetry can be a powerful tool for social change. And his plea to future generations to remember the struggles of the past is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to preserve the memory of human experience.

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