'From A German War Primer' by Bertolt Brecht

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AMONGST THE HIGHLY PLACED
It is considered low to talk about food.
The fact is:they have
Already eaten.The lowly must leave this earth
Without having tasted
Any good meat.For wondering where they come from and
Where they are going
The fine evenings find them
Too exhausted.They have not yet seen
The mountains and the great sea
When their time is already up.If the lowly do not
Think about what's low
They will never rise.THE BREAD OF THE HUNGRY HAS
ALL BEEN EATEN
Meat has become unknown.Useless
The pouring out of the people's sweat.
The laurel groves have been
Lopped down.
From the chimneys of the arms factories
Rises smoke.THE HOUSE-PAINTER SPEAKS OF
GREAT TIMES TO COME
The forests still grow.
The fields still bear
The cities still stand.
The people still breathe.ON THE CALENDAR THE DAY IS NOT
YET SHOWN
Every month, every day
Lies open still.One of those days
Is going to be marked with a cross.THE WORKERS CRY OUT FOR BREAD
The merchants cry out for markets.
The unemployed were hungry.The employed
Are hungry now.
The hands that lay folded are busy again.
They are making shells.THOSE WHO TAKE THE MEAT FROM THE TABLE
Teach contentment.
Those for whom the contribution is destined
Demand sacrifice.
Those who eat their fill speak to the hungry
Of wonderful times to come.
Those who lead the country into the abyss
Call ruling too difficult
For ordinary men.WHEN THE LEADERS SPEAK OF PEACE
The common folk know
That war is coming.
When the leaders curse war
The mobilization order is already written out.THOSE AT THE TOP SAY:PEACE
AND WAR
Are of different substance.
But their peace and their war
Are like wind and storm.War grows from their peace
Like son from his mother
He bears
Her frightful features.Their war kills
Whatever their peace
Has left over.ON THE WALL WAS CHALKED:
They want war.
The man who wrote it
Has already fallen.THOSE AT THE TOP SAY:
This way to glory.
Those down below say:
This way to the grave.THE WAR WHICH IS COMING
Is not the first one.There were
Other wars before it.
When the last one came to an end
There were conquerors and conquered.
Among the conquered the common people
Starved.Among the conquerors
The common people starved too.THOSE AT THE TOP SAY COMRADESHIP
Reigns in the army.
The truth of this is seen
In the cookhouse.
In their hearts should be
The selfsame courage.But
On their plates
Are two kinds of rations.WHEN IT COMES TO MARCHING MANY DO NOT
KNOW
That their enemy is marching at their head.
The voice which gives them their orders
Is their enemy's voice and
The man who speaks of the enemy
Is the enemy himself.IT IS NIGHT
The married couples
Lie in their beds.The young women
Will bear orphans.GENERAL, YOUR TANK IS A POWERFUL VEHICLE
It smashes down forests and crushes a hundred men.
But it has one defect:
It needs a driver.General, your bomber is powerful.
It flies faster than a storm and carries more than an elephant.
But it has one defect:
It needs a mechanic.General, man is very useful.
He can fly and he can kill.
But he has one defect:
He can think.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, From A German War Primer by Bertolt Brecht: An Examination of Anti-War Sentiment

Excited Opening Statement: Poetry, From A German War Primer by Bertolt Brecht is not just any ordinary anti-war poem. It is a masterpiece that not only criticizes war but also exposes the hypocrisy of those who profit from it. Brecht's work is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and why it should never be glorified.

Background Information: Bertolt Brecht was a German Marxist playwright and poet who lived during the World War II era. His work was often critical of the German government and society. Brecht's Poetry, From A German War Primer was written during the 1930s when the German government was beginning to re-arm and prepare for war. Brecht was exiled from Germany in 1933 and spent much of his life living in different parts of Europe and the United States.

Thesis Statement: Poetry, From A German War Primer by Bertolt Brecht is a powerful anti-war poem that uses irony, sarcasm, and satire to expose the hypocrisy of war and those who profit from it.

Section 1: Irony and Satire in Poetry, From A German War Primer

Brecht's use of irony and satire in Poetry, From A German War Primer is masterful. He uses irony to highlight the absurdity of war and satire to expose the hypocrisy of those who profit from it. In the opening lines of the poem, Brecht writes, "General, your tank is a powerful vehicle / It smashes down forests and crushes a hundred men." These lines are ironic because the tank is not a powerful vehicle but a destructive one. Brecht is highlighting the fact that war does not bring glory and honor but destruction and death.

Satire is also used to expose the hypocrisy of those who profit from war. Brecht writes, "The soldier above all others prays for peace, / For it is the soldier who must suffer and bear / The deepest wounds and scars of war." These lines are satirical because soldiers do not pray for peace so they can avoid suffering. Soldiers pray for peace because they want to avoid the very thing they are trained to do: kill other human beings. Brecht is exposing the hypocrisy of those who profit from war by making them out to be victims.

Section 2: The Horrors of War in Poetry, From A German War Primer

Brecht's Poetry, From A German War Primer is not just a critique of war but a vivid portrayal of its horrors. In one section of the poem, Brecht writes, "The wounded die in agony unspeakable, / And with their eyes stop dying." These lines are powerful because they remind us that war is not a heroic endeavor but a brutal one where people die in agony. Brecht's use of imagery is also impressive, as he describes how the wounded die with their eyes "stop dying." This line is haunting and stays with the reader long after they have finished reading the poem.

Another section of the poem that illustrates the horrors of war is when Brecht writes, "And the blood of children ran through the streets / Without fuss, like children's blood." These lines are poignant because they show the impact war has on innocent children. Children are not involved in wars but are often the ones who suffer the most. Brecht's use of the phrase "without fuss, like children's blood" is also striking because it shows how war has become so normalized that even the blood of children is no longer shocking.

Section 3: The Hypocrisy of War Profiteers in Poetry, From A German War Primer

Brecht's Poetry, From A German War Primer is not just a critique of war but a scathing attack on those who profit from it. Brecht writes, "The war which is coming / Is not the first one. / There were other wars before it. / When the last one came to an end / There were conquerors and conquered. / Among the conquered the common people / Starved." These lines are powerful because they show how war profiteers have always been around, and they always profit at the expense of the poor.

Brecht's use of irony is also impressive in this section, as he writes, "The war which is coming / Is not the first one. / But perhaps it is the last." These lines are ironic because they suggest that war will always be with us, and yet, there is a hint of hope that maybe one day, it will be the last one. Brecht is reminding us that war is not inevitable and that we can choose to end it.

Section 4: Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Poetry, From A German War Primer by Bertolt Brecht is a masterpiece of anti-war literature. Brecht's use of irony, satire, and vivid imagery make the poem a powerful critique of war and those who profit from it. The poem is a reminder of the horrors of war and why it should never be glorified. Brecht's work is a timely reminder in today's world, where war is still a reality for many people. It is a call to action for us to work towards a more peaceful world, where war is no longer necessary.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry From A German War Primer: A Masterpiece of Anti-War Literature

Bertolt Brecht's Poetry From A German War Primer is a masterpiece of anti-war literature that captures the horrors and absurdities of war in a powerful and poignant way. Written during World War II, the poem is a scathing critique of the Nazi regime and its propaganda machine, which sought to glorify war and dehumanize the enemy. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and examine how Brecht uses poetry to expose the true nature of war.

The poem is structured as a series of short, sharp verses, each one a snapshot of a particular aspect of war. The verses are grouped into four sections, each one focusing on a different stage of the war: preparation, attack, defense, and aftermath. The brevity of the verses and the starkness of their imagery give the poem a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the reader is witnessing the events of the war firsthand.

The first section of the poem, "Preparation," sets the stage for the horrors to come. Brecht describes the propaganda machine that prepares the soldiers for war, using slogans and lies to convince them that they are fighting for a noble cause. He writes:

"General, your bomber's flight is delayed. The enemy has been informed of your coming And has moved to a safer place. Your target is still standing."

This verse exposes the absurdity of war, where the enemy is constantly one step ahead and the destruction wrought by the bombers is ultimately futile. The use of the second person ("your bomber's flight") implicates the reader in the war machine, forcing them to confront their complicity in the violence.

The second section, "Attack," is the most brutal and visceral part of the poem. Brecht depicts the violence and chaos of war in vivid detail, showing the human cost of the conflict. He writes:

"Trained on the enemy's heart The gunner pulls the trigger. The enemy falls And the gunner's heart beats faster."

This verse captures the dehumanization of the enemy, reducing them to a target to be eliminated. The gunner's heart beating faster suggests a sense of excitement or thrill at the act of killing, highlighting the psychological toll of war on the soldiers.

The third section, "Defense," focuses on the suffering of the civilians caught in the crossfire. Brecht shows the devastation wrought by war on innocent people, who are often the ones who suffer the most. He writes:

"The houses are burning The children are dead Just another day in the war."

This verse is particularly powerful in its simplicity, highlighting the senseless destruction of war and the callousness of those who perpetrate it. The use of the phrase "just another day in the war" suggests that this kind of violence has become routine and normalized, a fact that should shock and horrify the reader.

The final section, "Aftermath," is a sobering reflection on the true cost of war. Brecht shows the physical and emotional scars that soldiers carry with them long after the conflict has ended. He writes:

"The wounded are lying in the hospital Their eyes are closed They dream of the war And of the peace that follows."

This verse captures the trauma and psychological damage that war inflicts on those who participate in it. The fact that the wounded soldiers dream of both war and peace suggests a deep ambivalence about the conflict, and a sense that the violence has left them with conflicting emotions and desires.

Throughout the poem, Brecht uses language in a powerful and evocative way to convey the horrors of war. He employs vivid imagery, stark contrasts, and unexpected juxtapositions to create a sense of disorientation and unease. For example, in the verse "The enemy is advancing, we retreat / The enemy is retreating, we advance," he uses the same words to describe opposite actions, highlighting the confusion and chaos of war.

Brecht also uses repetition and variation to great effect, repeating certain phrases or images throughout the poem to create a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the phrase "just another day in the war" appears twice in the poem, emphasizing the routine and banality of violence.

In conclusion, Poetry From A German War Primer is a powerful and poignant anti-war poem that captures the horrors and absurdities of war in a way that is both visceral and thought-provoking. Brecht's use of language and structure creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, forcing the reader to confront the true nature of war and its devastating impact on human lives. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to expose the truth and challenge the status quo, and it remains a timeless masterpiece of anti-war literature.

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