'Not What Was Meant' by Bertolt Brecht

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When the Academy of Arts demanded freedom
Of artistic expression from narrow-minded bureaucrats
There was a howl and a clamour in its immediate vicinity
But roaring above everything
Came a deafening thunder of applause
From beyond the Sector boundary.
Freedom! it roared. Freedom for the artists!
Freedom all round! Freedom for all!
Freedom for the exploiters! Freedom for the warmongers!
Freedom for the Ruhr cartels! Freedom for Hitler's generals!
Softly, my dear fellows...
The Judas kiss for the artists follows
Hard on the Judas kiss for the workers.
The arsonist with his bottle of petrol
Sneaks up grinning to
The Academy of Arts.
But it was not to embrace him, just
To knock the bottle out of his dirty hand that
We asked for elbow room.
Even the narrowest minds
In which peace is harboured
Are more welcome to the arts than the art loverWho is also a lover of the art of war.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Not What Was Meant" - A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry

As a writer, Bertolt Brecht has always been known for his satirical style of poetry. He uses his pen to mock the society that he lived in, often pointing out the flaws and hypocrisies of the ruling class. His poem, "Poetry, Not What Was Meant," is one such work of art that establishes his reputation as a poet who is not afraid to speak his mind. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the themes, literary devices, and symbolism employed by Brecht in this poem.

Background

"Poetry, Not What Was Meant" was written by Bertolt Brecht during the 1920s and was first published in 1939. Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and director who was known for his leftist views and his biting social commentary. The poem is an excellent example of his style of writing, which focuses on bringing to light the injustices and inequalities of society. Brecht was a strong supporter of communism and believed in the power of the working class. Through his poetry, he aimed to awaken the masses and inspire them to rise against oppression.

Themes

The poem "Poetry, Not What Was Meant" is a commentary on the nature of poetry itself. Brecht takes a critical look at the way poetry is written and the way it is received. He questions the traditional idea of poetry as a form of art that is meant to inspire and uplift, and instead presents it as a tool for manipulation by the ruling class. The poem is also a commentary on the role of the artist in society. Brecht argues that the artist has a responsibility to use their art as a means of social change.

Literary Devices

Brecht employs a number of literary devices in "Poetry, Not What Was Meant" to convey his message. The most prominent of these is irony. The poem is full of ironic statements that highlight the contradictions of the ruling class. For example, he writes, "The rulers needed poems because they wanted to show / that their rule had a meaning beyond flogging and taxes." The irony here is that the rulers use poetry to legitimize their rule, even though their rule is based on force and coercion.

Another literary device that Brecht uses is symbolism. The poem is full of symbols that represent different aspects of society. For example, the "fat stands of books" in the third stanza represent the wealth and power of the ruling class. The "sea of lint" in the fourth stanza represents the meaningless chatter of the bourgeoisie. Brecht uses these symbols to create a vivid picture of the society that he is criticizing.

Interpretation

The poem "Poetry, Not What Was Meant" is a powerful critique of the way poetry is used to manipulate society. Brecht argues that poetry is not just a form of art but a tool for social change. He believes that poetry has the power to inspire the masses and awaken them to the injustices of the ruling class. In this sense, the poem is a call to action for artists to use their art as a means of social change.

Brecht's use of irony and symbolism in the poem is particularly effective. The irony highlights the hypocrisy of the ruling class, while the symbolism creates a vivid picture of the society that he is critiquing. The fat stands of books and the sea of lint are powerful symbols that represent the wealth and power of the ruling class and the meaningless chatter of the bourgeoisie, respectively.

The poem is also an excellent example of Brecht's satirical style of poetry. He uses humor to mock the ruling class and to point out their flaws and hypocrisies. The poem is a biting commentary on the way poetry is used to legitimize the rule of the ruling class.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Not What Was Meant" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry. Brecht's use of irony and symbolism is particularly effective in creating a vivid picture of the society that he is critiquing. The poem is a powerful critique of the way poetry is used to legitimize the rule of the ruling class. Brecht's call to action for artists to use their art as a means of social change is as relevant today as it was when he wrote the poem. The poem remains a testament to the power of poetry as a tool for social change.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Not What Was Meant: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire

Bertolt Brecht’s Poetry Not What Was Meant is a masterpiece of irony and satire. Written in 1939, the poem is a scathing critique of the way poetry is often used to obscure the truth and manipulate the masses. Brecht’s poem is a call to arms for poets to use their craft to expose the lies and injustices of the world, rather than to perpetuate them.

The poem begins with a simple statement: “Poetry, it is often said, is not what was meant.” This seemingly innocuous statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Brecht proceeds to dismantle the idea that poetry is a lofty, ethereal art form that exists above the fray of politics and society. Instead, he argues that poetry is a tool that can be used for good or for evil, depending on the intentions of the poet.

Brecht’s use of irony is particularly effective in this poem. He takes common phrases and turns them on their head, exposing the hypocrisy and double standards that often underlie them. For example, he writes, “When people say: ‘It’s poetry,’ they usually mean: ‘It’s not true.’” This line is a biting commentary on the way poetry is often used to obscure the truth, rather than to reveal it.

Brecht also uses satire to great effect in this poem. He takes aim at the romanticized view of poetry as a pure, unadulterated form of expression, and instead portrays it as a tool of the ruling class. He writes, “The ruling class has always declared the art of poetry to be a dangerous weapon.” This line is a clear indictment of the way poetry has been co-opted by those in power to serve their own interests.

One of the most powerful aspects of this poem is the way Brecht uses language to convey his message. He employs simple, direct language that is accessible to all, rather than the flowery, ornate language often associated with poetry. This choice of language is a deliberate one, as Brecht wants to make his message clear and unambiguous. He wants his readers to understand that poetry can be a powerful tool for change, but only if it is used in the right way.

Brecht’s poem is also notable for its use of repetition. He repeats certain phrases throughout the poem, such as “Poetry, it is often said,” and “But poetry, it is also said.” This repetition serves to reinforce his message and drive it home to the reader. It also gives the poem a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if it is building towards a powerful conclusion.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. Brecht writes, “In these dark times, will there also be singing? / Yes, there will also be singing. / About the dark times.” This stanza is a call to action for poets to use their craft to expose the injustices and atrocities of the world, rather than to turn a blind eye to them. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope, and that poetry can be a powerful force for change.

In conclusion, Bertolt Brecht’s Poetry Not What Was Meant is a masterpiece of irony and satire. It is a scathing critique of the way poetry is often used to obscure the truth and manipulate the masses. Brecht’s use of language, repetition, and irony is particularly effective in conveying his message. The poem is a call to arms for poets to use their craft to expose the lies and injustices of the world, rather than to perpetuate them. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope, and that poetry can be a powerful force for change.

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