'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.

translated by H. R. Hays

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Posterity by Bertolt Brecht: A Critical Analysis

Bertolt Brecht's poem "To Posterity" is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of his philosophy and his vision of the world. The poem is a reflection of Brecht's belief that art must serve a social purpose and that the artist must be an active participant in the struggles of the people. It is a poem that speaks directly to posterity, urging them to remember the struggles of the past and to continue the struggle for a better world.

Background Information

Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright, poet, and theatre director who lived from 1898 to 1956. He was a prominent figure in the theatre world during the Weimar Republic, and his plays were known for their innovative techniques and their social and political themes. Brecht was a committed Marxist and believed that art should serve a social purpose. He was critical of the bourgeois culture of his time, which he believed was oppressive and alienating, and he sought to create a new kind of theatre that would be accessible to the working-class.

Analysis

To Posterity is a poem that is addressed to future generations. It is a reflective poem that looks back on the past and contemplates the future. Brecht begins the poem by acknowledging the struggles of the past, which he sees as a legacy that has been passed down to future generations. He writes:

Indeed, I live in the dark ages!
A guileless word is an absurdity.
A smooth forehead betokens
A hard heart.

These lines suggest that Brecht sees himself as living in a time of darkness, a time when people are not free to speak their minds and when those in power are heartless. The use of the word "guileless" suggests that honesty and truthfulness are not valued in his society. The image of a "smooth forehead" suggests a lack of wrinkles, which in turn suggests a lack of experience or wisdom. This, combined with the idea of a "hard heart," suggests that people are not only ignorant but also cruel.

Brecht then goes on to describe the struggles of the past, which he sees as a legacy that has been passed down to future generations. He writes:

To us cabaret performers of the future
The battles that are fought
Will seem as ridiculous
As the battle of frogs and mice.

Here, Brecht is suggesting that the struggles of the past will seem trivial and insignificant to future generations. He is also suggesting that the struggles of the past were pointless and absurd. The reference to "cabaret performers" suggests that the future will be a time of leisure and entertainment, where people will be free to enjoy themselves without the burden of political struggle.

However, Brecht quickly dismisses this idea and suggests that the struggles of the past will continue into the future. He writes:

The dogs bark, the caravan moves on.

This line suggests that the struggle for a better world is a never-ending one. The reference to "dogs" suggests that those in power are not to be trusted, and the reference to a "caravan" suggests that progress is slow and steady.

Brecht then goes on to describe his vision of the future. He writes:

And if the times are once again ripe
The poets will write of the horses of history,
Each one will carry on his back
A half-starved gypsy.

Here, Brecht is suggesting that in the future, poets will write about the struggles of the past, and that these struggles will be seen as heroic and noble. The reference to "horses" suggests that the struggle for a better world is a difficult one, and the reference to "half-starved gypsies" suggests that those who struggle for a better world are often marginalized and oppressed.

Brecht then goes on to urge future generations to continue the struggle for a better world. He writes:

Marching in the ranks
On the road that leads to no end
Victory will come,
Victory will not come.

Here, Brecht is suggesting that the struggle for a better world is a difficult and never-ending one, but that victory is possible. The reference to "marching in the ranks" suggests that people must work together to achieve victory, and the reference to a road that leads to no end suggests that the struggle for a better world is a never-ending one.

Interpretation

To Posterity is a poem that speaks directly to the struggles of the past and the challenges of the future. It is a poem that reflects Brecht's belief that art must serve a social purpose and that the artist must be an active participant in the struggles of the people. The poem is a call to action, urging future generations to continue the struggle for a better world.

Brecht's vision of the future is one that is both hopeful and realistic. He acknowledges the struggles of the past, but he also suggests that victory is possible. The reference to "marching in the ranks" suggests that people must work together to achieve victory, and the reference to a road that leads to no end suggests that the struggle for a better world is a never-ending one.

Overall, To Posterity is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of Brecht's philosophy and his vision of the world. It is a poem that speaks directly to posterity, urging them to remember the struggles of the past and to continue the struggle for a better world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Posterity: A Timeless Poem by Bertolt Brecht

Bertolt Brecht, a German poet, playwright, and theatre director, is known for his works that reflect his political beliefs and social commentary. One of his most famous poems, "To Posterity," is a powerful piece that speaks to the future generations about the struggles and injustices of the past. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem, its themes, and its relevance to our present-day society.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the future generations, asking them not to judge the people of the past too harshly. He acknowledges that the people of his time were flawed and made mistakes, but he also wants the future generations to understand the context in which those mistakes were made. He writes:

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

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging the darkness of his time, the lack of honesty and sincerity, and the ignorance of those who are not aware of the struggles and hardships of the world. He is warning the future generations not to be too quick to judge the people of his time, as they were living in difficult circumstances.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to address the future generations directly. He tells them that they will have it easier than the people of his time, but that they should not forget the struggles of the past. He writes:

"What kind of times are they, when A talk about trees is almost a crime Because it implies silence about so many horrors?"

Here, the speaker is pointing out the absurdity of his time, where talking about nature and beauty is seen as a luxury, while the world is filled with so much pain and suffering. He is urging the future generations to remember the past, to learn from it, and to work towards a better future.

The poem then takes a more personal turn, as the speaker talks about his own life and experiences. He writes:

"It's 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.)"

Here, the speaker is acknowledging his own privilege and luck, and how it has allowed him to survive in a world that is filled with poverty and injustice. He is reminding the future generations that not everyone has the same opportunities, and that they should work towards creating a more equal and just society.

The poem ends with a powerful message, as the speaker urges the future generations to fight for a better world. 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 speaker is urging the future generations to remember the struggles of the past, and to use them as a motivation to create a better world. He is reminding them that the darkness of his time was what gave birth to the weaknesses and flaws of the people, and that they should not forget the context in which those weaknesses existed.

Overall, "To Posterity" is a timeless poem that speaks to the struggles and injustices of the past, and the need for future generations to remember and learn from them. Brecht's powerful words and imagery remind us that we are all connected, and that the struggles of the past are still relevant today. As we navigate through our own dark times, we should remember the lessons of the past, and work towards creating a better future for ourselves and for posterity.

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