Caucasian Chalk Circle - Language

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Caucasian Chalk Circle - Language

Singer

The character of the singer is used to explain the subtext and Grusha's emotions in some parts. This creates a barrier between the audience and the characters, it makes the audience consider what's going on which then emphasizes on the Singers words. The audience become detached from the emotional sides of the characters and take an objective view to the happenings - which is what Brecht was trying to achieve.

        The singer is also used in the prologue to explain the story as he takes the role of a storyteller on neutral ground, simply taking an objective view trying to settle a dispute between two groups of people wanting to live in the same valley. He begins a debate and leads the story to a point where the unexplained subtext is political, as were many of Brecht’s ideas in plays. The singer is used to hold the play together. He/she is part of the prologue, Grusha's story and also that of Azdak's tale, a familiar character that the audience come accustomed to.

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        Brecht's use of the Singer would be effective in making the audience taking an objective view to the play was successful due to the lack of emotion showed through Grusha and Simon's language to each other.

Grusha: God's blessing on Mr Soldier, and thank God that he's back safely.

Simon: They found better than me, so they didn't eat me, said the haddock.

Grusha: It took courage, said the servant boy. It took luck, said the hero.

Simon: How were things here? Did you endure the winter, were the neighbours considerate?

Grusha: The winter was rough enough, the neighbours were the ...

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