THE BREAD OF THE PEOPLE
1. THE BREAD OF THE PEOPLE
(Bertolt Brecht)
Justice is the bread of the people
Sometimes is plentiful, sometimes it is scarce
Sometimes it tastes good, sometimes it tastes bad.
When the bread is scarce, there is hunger.
When the bread is bad, there is discontent.
Throw away the bad justice
Baked without love, kneaded without knowledge!
Justice without flavour, with a grey crust
The stale justice which comes too late!
If the bread is good and plentiful
The rest of the meal can be excused.
One cannot have plenty of everything all at once.
Nourished by the bread of justice
The work can be achieved
From which plenty comes.
As daily bread is necessary
So is daily justice.
It is even necessary several times a day.
From morning till night, at work, enjoying oneself.
At work which is an enjoyment.
In hard times and in happy times
The people requires the plentiful, wholesome
Daily bread of justice.
Since the bread of justice, then, is so important
Who, friends, shall bake it?
Who bakes the other bread?
Like the other bread
The bread of justice must be baked
By the people.
Plentiful, wholesome, daily.
Summary:
The poem starts by comparing justice with bread , saying that sometimes its plentifu; other times scarce , emphasising on its quality suggesting that when justice is scarce people suffer like hunger , when it is bed people become dissatisfied.the poem rejects bed justice then poet express the importance of some process which important to make a qualiful bread and then he compare it with the process of justice which is mostly delayed or maked without caring about peoples condition , which he believes is unhelpful to People in need of it
Moving forward he says if the bread is good and plentiful then the rest of meal can be excused accepting that one can not get everything at once (suggesting that if there will be justice then sooner or later there is a chance that people will get a good change ), then he suggest that justice must be available Regularly just like bread (meal or Food )and it should be accessible to all throughout the day , then he points out that justice is like food .
In last lines he points out the question that who is responsible for Providing justice , then he encourage the people to take the action like the bread maker and suggest it should be Plentiful , wholesome and daily
Glossary :
Analyzing
1. Sense
The central idea in Brecht’s poem is that justice is essential for society, just like bread is necessary for survival. The sense is both literal and metaphorical, using bread as a symbol for justice and fairness.
2. Feeling
The poem conveys feelings of urgency, hunger, and discontent. There is a Torchered sense of frustration when justice is absent or insufficient. However, when justice is abundant and fair, the tone shifts to one of hope and fulfillment.
3. Tone
The tone of the poem is both critical and motivational. Brecht criticizes the current state of justice, emphasizing how flawed or scarce justice harms society. At the same time, the tone calls for change, urging the people to take action to create justice themselves.
4. Intention
Brecht’s intention is to provoke thought and action. He seeks to inspire the people to demand and create the justice they deserve. Through his metaphor of bread, he urges collective responsibility and emphasizes the importance of fairness in daily life.
The Meaning of Words in Poetry
In poetry, words often carry multiple layers of meaning. Words like bread and justice are not only symbolic but are imbued with social and political undertones.
In Brecht's case, bread stands for the basic needs of society, while justice represents fairness, equality, and social harmony. By using these common words, Brecht invites readers to reflect on their significance in everyday life.
Misunderstanding of the Poem
One potential misunderstanding of the poem might arise from taking it too literally. While Brecht uses bread as a central symbol, the poem is not just about food or hunger—it is a political commentary on justice. A reader might miss the depth of the metaphor and focus only on the literal sense of bread, overlooking the poem's call for social responsibility and the need for justice to be accessible to everyone.
Metaphors in the Poem
1. Sense Metaphor
A sense metaphor is one where a concept is linked to something we physically sense. In this poem, bread acts as a sense metaphor for justice. Just as we feel the taste, and weight of bread, Brecht invites us to think about the tangible qualities of justice. Justice is not an abstract idea but something that should nourish and sustain the people.
2. Emotive Metaphor
An emotive metaphor expresses emotions indirectly. The bread in the poem is not just food; it represents the emotional and social well-being of the people. When justice is good, it brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, but when it is bad or stale, it breeds discontent and suffering. The metaphor evokes the emotional impact that justice—or the lack of it—has on individuals and society as a whole.
Doubt :
1.Brecht says justice is needed "several times a day." What does this idea mean about how often justice should be practiced, and why is it important?
2.Brecht talks about "bad justice" being "baked without love" and "kneaded without knowledge." What does this tell us about how justice is often handled, and how does it relate to current problems in society?
3.Brecht compares justice to daily bread, saying it’s something we need regularly. Does this change the way we think about justice, and does it connect to ideas about equality and fairness?
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