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Bertolt Brecht and the Bible

This thesis presents evidence which supports Bertolt Brecht's oft-quoted statement that the Bible was the book which exerted the greatest influence upon his writings. While Brecht's early works, Die Bibel (1913), and Die Dreigroschenoper (1928), serve as the main examples, there are also references to biblical allusions from a number of his other writings and some of his poetry. There is general information on Brecht's religious background and en his extensive biblical knowledge which enabled him to use the Bible as one of his principal sources. Brecht's manner of usage and adaptation of religious and biblical material to suit his purposes is noted. As well, a consideration of the views and findings of a number of critics and writers with an interest in Brecht both as an individual and as a writer and poet, provides a degree of clarification of Brecht's approach to the Bible. Included too is sane detail which could posit the Bible as a possible catalyst in Brecht's examination of Marxism as a viable alternative to religion in meeting the needs and aspirations of mankind and of society.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:pdx.edu/oai:pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu:open_access_etds-4444
Date01 January 1985
CreatorsBaker, Clara Martha
PublisherPDXScholar
Source SetsPortland State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
SourceDissertations and Theses

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