An Exile of the Black Forests: Characterising Bertolt Brecht as an Intellectual Through His Theatrical Practice
Abstract
Bertolt Brecht’s is a name associated with both intellectual and practical involvement in twentieth-century theatre. This essay focuses on Brecht’s intellectual identity as well as his views on intellectualism and ultimately his role as a political artist in transforming society. Brecht’s experience of inequality and oppression throughout his life played a significant role in shaping his intellectual and artistic identity, which is marked by a feeling of not belonging and restlessness. The essay delves into his intellectual approach in general alongside his critique of intellectuals that surfaces in his plays, Life of Galileo (1938-43) and Turandot or Whitewashers’ Congress (1953). Additionally, Brecht’s short story, Socrates Wounded (1938-39), exemplifies his emphasis on practical philosophy and critical engagement with the material world. Brecht’s critique of intellectuals, epitomized in the concept of ‘Tui’, further underscores his disdain for those who align with oppressive powers. This essay explores Brecht’s intellectual legacy, emphasising his commitment to social transformation through art, philosophy, and relentless questioning. Through a comprehensive analysis of his life and works, this discussion illuminates Brecht’s profound impact on the realm of intellectualism and his enduring influence as a political artist, challenging individuals to confront social complexities and engage in transformative intellectual endeavour.
References
- Althusser, L. (2014). On the Reproduction of Capitalism: Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses. (G. M. Goshgarian, Trans). London: Verso. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (1973). Intellectuals and Class Struggle. (D. Bathrick, Trans.). New German Critique, (1), 19-21. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (1980). Life of Galileo. (J. Willett, Trans., J. Willet and R. Manheim, Eds.). London: Methuen. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2001). Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic. (J. Willett, Trans., Ed.). London: Methuen. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2004). Turandot or The Whitewashers’ Congress. In T. Kuhn, (Trans.), T. Kuhn & D. Constantine (Eds.), Collected Plays: Eight (pp. 128-193). London: Methuen. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2006). Of Poor B.B. (M. Hofmann, Trans). Poetry, 188 (1), 40-42. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2015). Socrates Wounded. In Y. Kapp et all, (Trans.), R. Manheim & J. Willett, (Eds.), Collected Short Stories of Bertolt Brecht, (pp. 191-211). London: Bloomsbury Publishing. google scholar
- Clark, M. (2006). W. Hero or Villain? Bertolt Brecht and the Crisis Surrounding June 1953. Journal of Contemporary History, 41 (3), 451-475. google scholar
- Ewen, F. (1970). Bertolt Brecht His Life, His Art and His Times. United Kingdom: Calder & Boyars. google scholar
- Gramsci, A. (1999). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. (Q. Haore & G. N. Smith, Trans., Eds.). London: ElecBook. google scholar
- Murphy, B. (1999). Congressional Theatre: Dramatizing Mccarthyism on Stage, Film, and Television. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. google scholar
- Sartre, J. P. (1961). Beyond Bourgeois Theatre. (R. D. Reck., Trans.). The Tulane Drama Review, 5 (3), 3-11. google scholar
- Schmidt, H. J. (1980). Brecht’s ‘Turandot’: ‘Tuis’ and Cultural Politics. Theatre Journal, 32 (3), 289-304. google scholar
- Squiers, A. (2019a). Philosophizing Brecht: An Introduction for Dark Times. In N. Roessler and A. Squiers (Eds.), Philosophizing Brecht: Critical Readings on Art, Consciousness, Social Theory and Performance (pp. 1-6). Leiden: Brill Rodopi. google scholar
- Squiers, A. (2019b). Philosophizing with Brecht and Plato: On Socratic Courage. In N. Roessler and A. Squiers (Eds.), Philosophizing Brecht: Critical Readings on Art, Consciousness, Social Theory and Performance (pp. 93120). Leiden: Brill Rodopi. google scholar
Abstract
References
- Althusser, L. (2014). On the Reproduction of Capitalism: Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses. (G. M. Goshgarian, Trans). London: Verso. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (1973). Intellectuals and Class Struggle. (D. Bathrick, Trans.). New German Critique, (1), 19-21. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (1980). Life of Galileo. (J. Willett, Trans., J. Willet and R. Manheim, Eds.). London: Methuen. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2001). Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic. (J. Willett, Trans., Ed.). London: Methuen. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2004). Turandot or The Whitewashers’ Congress. In T. Kuhn, (Trans.), T. Kuhn & D. Constantine (Eds.), Collected Plays: Eight (pp. 128-193). London: Methuen. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2006). Of Poor B.B. (M. Hofmann, Trans). Poetry, 188 (1), 40-42. google scholar
- Brecht, B. (2015). Socrates Wounded. In Y. Kapp et all, (Trans.), R. Manheim & J. Willett, (Eds.), Collected Short Stories of Bertolt Brecht, (pp. 191-211). London: Bloomsbury Publishing. google scholar
- Clark, M. (2006). W. Hero or Villain? Bertolt Brecht and the Crisis Surrounding June 1953. Journal of Contemporary History, 41 (3), 451-475. google scholar
- Ewen, F. (1970). Bertolt Brecht His Life, His Art and His Times. United Kingdom: Calder & Boyars. google scholar
- Gramsci, A. (1999). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. (Q. Haore & G. N. Smith, Trans., Eds.). London: ElecBook. google scholar
- Murphy, B. (1999). Congressional Theatre: Dramatizing Mccarthyism on Stage, Film, and Television. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. google scholar
- Sartre, J. P. (1961). Beyond Bourgeois Theatre. (R. D. Reck., Trans.). The Tulane Drama Review, 5 (3), 3-11. google scholar
- Schmidt, H. J. (1980). Brecht’s ‘Turandot’: ‘Tuis’ and Cultural Politics. Theatre Journal, 32 (3), 289-304. google scholar
- Squiers, A. (2019a). Philosophizing Brecht: An Introduction for Dark Times. In N. Roessler and A. Squiers (Eds.), Philosophizing Brecht: Critical Readings on Art, Consciousness, Social Theory and Performance (pp. 1-6). Leiden: Brill Rodopi. google scholar
- Squiers, A. (2019b). Philosophizing with Brecht and Plato: On Socratic Courage. In N. Roessler and A. Squiers (Eds.), Philosophizing Brecht: Critical Readings on Art, Consciousness, Social Theory and Performance (pp. 93120). Leiden: Brill Rodopi. google scholar
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | World Languages, Literature and Culture (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | June 21, 2024 |
| Submission Date | November 5, 2023 |
| Acceptance Date | February 12, 2024 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2024 |