45 pages • 1 hour read
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
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Essay Topics
What is the significance of Brecht’s utilization of the play within a play trope? Think about your answer in relationship to epic theater.
In what ways does the government in The Caucasian Chalk Circle mirror 1940s Fascist Germany?
Was Azdak a good or bad Judge? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support your response.
In your opinion, at what point in the play does Grusha fully commit to becoming Michael’s mother? Explain why this moment, more than the others, demonstrates her unconditional loyalty.
Compare and contrast Brecht’s play to its inspiration, the 14th-century Chinese play The Chalk Circle by Li Xingdao. How are the themes, plots, and characters similar and how are they different? What is the significance of the changes Brecht makes in his adaptation?
Describe the significance of the moment on the playground, when Michael is playing with the other children. What is Brecht trying to convey in this moment?
What other playwrights are practitioners of epic theater? Choose one and compare their work thematically and stylistically to Brecht’s. Identify key similarities and differences and discuss their significance.
Research Soviet collective farms, or kolkhozes. Does the play accurately depict how they function? How did kolkhozes contribute to giving autonomy to the working class under socialism?
What is the function of the songs within The Caucasian Chalk Circle?
Are the themes in The Caucasian Chalk Circle still relevant today? Why or why not?
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By Bertolt Brecht
