English Literature GCE A/L Made easy: Bertolt Brecht's the Caucasian Chalk Circle

Brecht's heroes and heroines often come from the "Lower rungs of society." In the Three Penny Opera the protagonist is a thief. In the Good Woman of Setzum it's a prostitute and in the Caucasian Chalk Circle it's a poor Kitchen maid.

His Characters are neither "totally white nor totally black". He shows distinctly how each person is subjected to a greedy desire for wealth and position. E.g. the governor, the priest. The writer highlights the merciless procedure adopted by the rich. Grusha is harassed and her mother-in-law too gets subjected to ridiculous treatment. The governor, the priest and the rulers symbolize the rich aiming at personal profit while Grusha and Simon symbolize the ordinary people with human kindness.

The prologue provides the "idealogical cue". The Dialogue and the songs are of extreme importance as Brecht's expected "Intelligent Attention" of the audience, with the view that it's a drama. Brecht is gifted with the ability to "Hypnotise the audience" carrying them into a background identically accustomed to their behaviour pattern, enticing the audience, rebelling "Brecht's philosophy of life" Songs create the back ground for the oncoming events Brecht's ability to spot out the dark side of the characteristics prevalent in the so-called high society.

"Beggars on his door step", "The solders in his service", many petitioners in his court yard". Brecht's techniques were varied. He had the curtain open through out and the orchestra remained within the view of the audience and the juxtaposition of certain incidents exposing their importance.

The essential commodities for the play is provided by the prologue - the destroyed apple orchard, dairy farm - all due to the evil influence of the Nazis. The background is set in a "strategic manner". The oldman to get the valley back a peasant woman unpacking the goat cheese, displaying the inner feelings of the characters concerned. The singer appearing with four musicians greeted by all and making the announcement of the very old legend The Chalk Circle coming from the Chinese.

The noble child

The singer and the chorus give the signal for each scene to begin. The first part of the song describing the governor, Georgi Abashwili, very rich person with a beautiful wife and a healthy baby.

He leads a rich life and as he went to church with his family, the people were crazy to have a look at the baby, the Governor's heir, attended by doctors and even the mighty prince kazblki bowed before the baby prince. The contrasting situation of the mighty rich and the trodden poor.

The singer appearing in between scenes provides the necessary background for the proceedings; a significant feature in Brecht's drama. The discrepancy that prevailed in the society is clearly presented.

"When the house of a great one collapses

Many little ones are slain

Those who had no share in the good fortunes of the mighty

Often have a share in their misfortune

The plunging wagon

Drags the sweating oxen down with it.

Into the abyss.

The contrasting procedure of the governor's wife selecting Green Dress and saffron coloured boots symbolize peace and calm amidst terrific events and her migraine causing her much uneasiness stressing the fact that even a little headache of the rich has to be recognized. Grusha's request made to the old man and his immediate response highlight the pathetic state of affairs prevailing and the iron shirts with their inhuman behaviour pattern mirror forth their callous attitude and Grusha fighting her way with the child, the governor's wife had left.

"The helpless girl adopted the helpless child Grusha's resolution to Live together or die together" and her decision to get married to a sickman on the verge of death in order to get shelter for the helpless child and the man's mother's anxiety to get the marriage authorised, are a reflection of the state of affairs prevailing. Grusha still hoping for her soldier's safe arrival; and her ardent desire to save the helpless child.

"Run, kind girl! The killers are coming.

Help the helpless babe, helpless girl

And so she runs".

"In the bloodiest times

There are kind people"

Grusha: Hide him quick. The iron shirts are coming. I laid him on your doorstep but he isn't mine.

He is from a good family."

Grusha's resolution to live together or die together deserves high applause.

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