Mother Courage and Her Children

Mother Courage and Her Children (German: Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder) was a play written in 1939 by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956).

Related Topics:
German - 1939 - German - Bertolt Brecht - 1898 - 1956

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It is one of several plays that he wrote in an attempt to counter the rise of Fascism and Nazism. Following Brecht's own principles for political drama, the play is set not in modern times but during the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648. It follows the fortunes of Anna Frieling, nicknamed "Mother Courage," —a wily canteen woman with the Swedish Army who is determined to make her living from the war. Over the course of the play, she loses all three of her children, Swiss Cheese, Eilif, and Katrin, to the same war from which she sought to profit.

Related Topics:
Fascism - Nazism - Political drama - Thirty Years War - Canteen - Swedish Army

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The play is an example of Brecht's concepts of Epic Theater and verfremdungseffekt or "alienation effect". Verfremdungseffekt is achieved through the use of title cards which reveal the events of each scene and several songs which underscore the themes of the play. The action of the play takes place over the course of 12 years —1624 - 1636 —represented in 12 short scenes. One is given a sense of Courage's career without being given enough time to develop sentimental feelings empathize with any of the characters.

Related Topics:
Epic Theater - Verfremdungseffekt - 1624 - 1636 - Sentimental - Empathize

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