Bertolt Brecht: Art is not a mirror to reflect reality but a hammer with which to change it for the better
Most art pieces are borne from real-life experiences of either the author himself or from the experiences of others around him. Not only is the work supposed to reflect what happens in the day-to-day lives of people, but also to change their views on certain issues hence changing the society for the better. In this regard, this essay seeks to justify Bertolt Brecht’s assertion by identifying eight quotes and explaining their meaning in some passages as well as illustrating their significance in our day to day lives.
“Where ignorant armies clash by night”
Most countries go to war for various reasons, some of which might be solved off the battlefield. Besides, most armies tend to strike their enemies at night. This quote refers to such armies as ignorant because most wars are unnecessary. Furthermore, many soldiers go to war without the knowledge of the underlying reasons for their battle. William Dean Howells uses this quote in his art piece, Editha. In the story of Editha, George gives himself up to join the army where he is even appointed to the role of captain.
He is ecstatic and doesn’t even consider the feelings of his fiancée who is totally against him going off to war. She considers leaving him so that he doesn’t have to choose between her and leaving for war. George’s fiancée does not understand his sudden interest in war while he detests bloodshed of any kind. George ends up dying not long after.
George is willing extremely happy about fighting a war that has nothing to do with him. The above quote relates to what is going on in Iraq, for example. America was so interested in dealing with fighting Al-Qaeda but did not put much consideration into how that war would affect its soldiers. Most of the soldiers went to war in Iraq not because they wanted to, but because it was an obligation they could not avoid. Better still, others joined the war out of war excitement surrounding the September 11, bombing attack.
“When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease– of joy that kills.”
This quote refers to the subject’s heart disease as “joy that kills”. In a way, this is satirical because most heart conditions are caused by unhealthy eating habits and their diagnosis is triggered by too much excitement. It can be said that George’s joy in joining the army led to his death. He didn’t seem to be joining the army for the love of his country, but because the thought excited him and in the end, he dies. Therefore, this quote makes us realize that careful consideration of the consequences of our actions is paramount before partaking in anything.
“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
This quote means that we should always put all efforts into achieving whatever we want in life without giving up. This is a perfect quote for quitters to remind them that they should not give up so easily, but to keep trying until they achieve their goals. George knew of his fiancée’s disapproval of his going off to war choice, but this didn’t deter him. He is adamant about quitting and knowing he might be killed, he asks Editha to take care of his mother. Despite Editha’s disapproval, he goes ahead to do what he wants.
“Cover him! Cover him quick!”
This quotation implies shame and urgency. The subject has to be covered urgently to avoid humiliation and embarrassment. In Hawthorne Nathaniel’s Young Goodman Brown, the young man has a nightmare in which he encounters the devil. The story starts with him bidding his lovely wife, Faith, goodbye as he sets out on a journey with a companion he doesn’t seem to approve of. We are then taken on a journey in Goodman’s nightmare.
Everything he termed good in his day to day life is turning out to be evil disguised in good. He is in the middle of the forest and his traveler friend leaves him in the forest after praising him for keeping their agreement. He keeps thinking that there is a devilish Indian behind the trees. This implies his paranoia. As he walks, he questions his being there because neither his father nor grandfather took such walks in the forest. He comes across Goody Cloyse, the woman who taught him catechism. She seems to be well acquainted with Goodman’s companion who is referred to as the serpent. Farther on, he comes across his minister and deacon Gookin who are on horseback.
Goodman ponders on why these two men of God could be journeying deep into the depths of the heathen wilderness. These meetings make him doubt the presence of heaven as every leader in the church seems to be going in the opposite direction. But he doesn’t give up easily as long as he has his wife who ironically is called Faith. He calls out his wife’s name and instead of a response; all he hears are wretched echoes.
He starts thinking that all good has vanished and the devil has taken over. When he wakes up in the morning, he looks at everything from a different perspective. Goodman’s experience is similar to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by the devil. Goodman’s faith is tested just like Jesus’ faith was. When Goodman wakes up, he is made to think that evil is covered up by good to deceive him and he wants no part of it.
Currently, most churches are used as havens for corruption, immorality, and deceit. Churches no longer dwell on spreading the gospel but are rather more focused on enriching themselves. Christianity has been politicized to the detriment of those whose faith originates from the church. Sexual immorality has become rampant in the church. Furthermore, catholic priests even want to get married, which is against their celibacy policy. Therefore, all this evil in the church has to be covered since it’s not only a mockery of God but a disgrace to the religious society at large.
“One that comes out the brain and the heart and the crotch.”
This quote might refer to childbirth in that two parents thought about having a baby and out of love, the mother conceives and gives birth. In Editha by William Howells, George’s mother who is sick receives the sad news of her son’s death while at war from Editha, her son’s fiancée.
At first, she blames her for her son’s death claiming that Editha is the one who sent him out to be killed. After rationalizing and acknowledging Editha’s love for her son, she seems grateful that her son died first so he didn’t have to kill some other woman’s son. She says that it is not fair for her to have wanted George to be alive which would mean that another woman’s son would be dead. This is because she understands the pain of losing a child. This quote signifies the love that mothers have for their children as they know the pain of childbirth.
“A little kid is something that ain’t a bum or a whore.”
This quote signifies children’s innocence. They have not been corrupted by society hence are still pure. Young Goodman Brown and Maypole of Merry Mount are both set in the era of Puritans where Christianity was the core of the society. That’s why Goodman is disturbed after his nightmare in which he encounters the devil. The Maypole in Maypole of Merry Mount is a pole, which virgins and children danced around during festivals. Why children? Because they are sinless and pure. Virgins are also considered pure as they have not been desecrated as a result of carnal sin. Therefore, humans should strive to be more like children as suggested in the Bible.
“Then when these final acts are complete, you will stop trying to die because of me.”
This quote means that trials and tribulations on someone’s account will end as a result of their actions. Death here might refer to troubles, suffering, and so on. George being out at war worried both his mother and Editha. Thoughts of whether he would make it alive kept haunting them. When he dies it ended their constant anxiety, hence the use of the term death. So in a way, his death brought them peace as they didn’t have to constantly wonder if he would live or not. Most people go through similar situations. It might be due to an unhappy marriage leading to stress and unhappiness. When the couple divorces, they tend to be a lot happier than they were before.
“It’s a good old letter I’d say.”
Letter writing has been there since man learned how to read and write. Even though technology might phase out this old form of communication, letters will always be appreciated. Editha in William’s Editha wrote to George to express how she felt about him going off to war. This was because she was unable to tell him how she felt in person. She writes a letter and tells him not to read it until when he’s out at ward. Letters serve a greater purpose in cases where one is incapable of speaking their mind in person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bertolt’s assertion is true. Every work of art sets out to teach readers a life lesson. From a reader’s interpretation depending on how he or she is affected, the work should influence how he or she thinks about certain issues as seen in the three stories I have used in this essay. Each story depending on the quotation had a message and teaching to pass across. More so, because the stories can be related to issues that affect us in one way or another in our day to day lives.