GCE A/L English Literature Made Easy - Drama: Bertolt Brecht's

The Caucasian Chalk Circle

The Author

Born in Augsburg, Germany in the year 1898 Bertolt Brecht was compelled to grow up in an atmosphere of political unrest, and confusion "living in America as an exile from Hitler's Germany, Brecht must have closely followed news of the Nazi Army's incursion into the Caucasus beginning July 1942.

"He had travelled far and wide and had ultimately settled down in East Berlin winning popularity as a playwright and as a shining dramatist of the 20th century. "Good woman of Setzuan"

"The Caucasian Chalk Circle" being one of his popular and famous drama, written in German and translated into several languages maintaining, their original characteristics. Brecht was "Innovative and Adventurous" and wanted his audience to feel that a drama is to be watched as a drama and think "critically of issues raised by the drama."

Having derived much information and knowledge from the "Rich sources of stylized drama of China, Japan, India and Greece" he focused his attention on Folk Drama of England and other countries of Europe.

Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage, Good woman of Setzuan and Cacasian Chalk Circle" have been performed in many countries winning much popularity. Even the translations of his Drama maintained the "Poetic and Dramatic value" reserving the "Epic of Dramatization."

"Hunuwataye Kathawa" done by Henry Jayasena is the translation of the Caucasian Chalk Circle which achieved much popularity in Sri Lanka. The most famous Sinhala Jataka story Ummagga Jatakaya has highlighted how the Bodhisathwa brought to 'light the truth' of the real mother and ultimately handed over the child to her.

In the 'Caucasian Chalk Circle' the motherly maid gets the child for what there is shall go to "those who are good for it."

Brecht's ability to change the story of the Chinese play as he wished catering to the expectations of the spectators, a drama coloured by his own views. His varied techniques invited "intelligent attention" and critical views of the audience.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng.Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.