GE 212 - Bertolt Brecht: Theatre as Revolution
Week 3: Die Maßnahme (1931 version)
Please bear in mind that we will focus on the 1931 version on the right hand side of the page.
Group 1:
Discuss the mistakes of the ‘junge Genosse’ that lead to the decision to kill him. Look particularly at
the way his ideals get him into trouble at his various assignments. What kind of ideas are they? See
e.g. sc. 1, p. 13 where the ‘junge Genosse’ introduces himself. How does his general belief in
humanity interfere with his political work? In what way are the ideas and ideals of the ‘junge
Genosse’ (represented as) the wrong ideas and ideals? In what way do his ideals interfere and
represent obstacles to the revolutionary plans of the party? How important is the issue of
(im)patience in this respect? Look particularly at scene 3 (Der Stein) and the response of the ‘junge
Genosse’ to the plight of the Kulis (27-31), and particularly at the way his ideals get him into trouble
at his various assignments. What is he supposed to do and how does he fulfil his task? Who does he
talk to? What does the ensuing ‘discussion’ conclude? How is this problem repeated in scene 4 and
scene 5? Particularly in scene 5, look at the way the ‘junge Genosse’ talks with the ‘Händler’ and the
way it involves deception and dissembling . At what point does he fail to fulfil his mission?
Group 2: The image of illegal political work and the party
Have a look at the first two scenes and the image of illegal political work that it creates. What image
of political work is created here with respect to its dangers and goals? What does the ‘junge
Genosse’ expect from the envoys from Moscow; what have they really come to do? What means
are employed for the political work? Look particularly at the issue of the ‘Auslöschung’. Why do you
think this is necessary? Also have a look at the song ‘Lob der illegalen Arbeit’, p. 23 and scene 6 ‘Der
Verrat’. Have a look at the image of the party that is created in scene 6, particularly in relation to
the individual. What conflict erupts at this moment between the ‘junge Genosse’ and the party?
Group 3: The formal aspects of Die Maßnahme
You should discuss the formal aspects of the play. Pay particular attention to the ‘staging’ (taking
into account that this play has no audience): Who demonstrates what to whom? Make a list of the
number of times actors change character. At what point do the actors change roles? Have a look at
the ‘characters’: what can you say about them as ‘people’? Are they people or a set of
attitudes/ideas? You do not have to come to a conclusion that everyone in your group agrees with, if
there are different opinions, please report on them.
Secondly, take a look at the songs, e.g. the ‘Lob der illegalen Arbeit’, ‘Gesang der
Reiskahnschlepper’, ‘Song von der Ware’, ‘Ändere die Welt, sie braucht es’. At what point in the
action do the songs appear? What do they express (you need to look at each song in relation to the
scene, they do not all have the same function). To what extent might the songs themselves be
described as a ‘Verfremdungseffekt’? You need to imagine that the song is sung by a character who
is ‘acted’ by a character within the play (e.g. one of the agitators playing the ‘Händler’).
This is a ‘Lehrstück’ a didactic play. What do you think it teaches? Take into account the idea of
usefulness/uselessness and the idea that learning should prepare us for something.
All Groups:
You should discuss the following question: In your opinion, does the play advocate the killing of
(individual) persons who stand in the way of the political progress as envisaged by the party or is this
a play about ideas that are embodied in ‘characters’? To answer this question you need to look
closely at the following issues:
1. The relationship between the ‘junge Genosse’ as an ‘individual’ and as a member of a
revolutionary organisation. At what point does this turn into a conflict? Look particularly at
the repetition of the idea of agreement (‘Einverständnis’), e.g. p. 17, 21. Consider the
representation of the ‘junge Genosse’ by a changing set of actors within the play and the
issue of the hiding of his (and the others’) faces. What do you think is ‘extinguished’ at the
‘Auslöschung’ (sc.2)? At what moment does his face become recognisable?
2. The moment when the ‘junge Genosse’ endangers his comrades (sc. 6, p. 59ff.) What is the
conflict between what the ‘junge Genosse’ wants and how his party assesses the situation?
Look esp. at the ‘Lob der Partei’ (p. 69) and the reaction of the ‘junge Genosse’.
3. The symbolic value of the’ junge Genosse’ and his ideas/feelings (you need to take into
account the findings of group 1 at this stage – you will have to think on your feet for this).
What body of ideas does the ‘junge Genosse’ represent? Finally, is the play about the
justification of killing people who are obstacles to the party line or about the ‘killing’ of ideas
which are not helpful in class struggle?