Bertolt Brecht's "THE BREAD OF THE PEOPLE" , short summary and analysis.

 Bertolt Brecht

THE BREAD OF THE PEOPLE

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.

The short summary of the poem : "The Bread of the People" by Bertolt Brecht.

"Bread of the People" is a poem by German playwright and poet Bertolt Brecht. In this poem, Brecht focuses on the significance of bread in the lives of ordinary people and uses it as a metaphor to explore themes of injustice, social inequality, exploitation, and revolution. In the poem "Bread of the people" the poet explains how individuals has to bring about their own justice.

*The poem begins by emphasizing the importance of bread, stating that it is the foundation of life for the people. In the poem, Brecht compares justice to a person's daily bread. 

*The poem serves as a call to action for the people  to unite and overthrow the oppressive system. Brecht urges to demand the fair share of the bread and in the same way the rightful share of justice to live in the society rightfully  and equally.

The poet says that,  The bread, which stands for justice, is both plentiful and scarce at different times, and it has both good and awful flavors. 

* Hunger is a result of a lack of justice, but discontentment is a result of a poor perception of justice.

* The poet continues by saying that in his opinion, bad justice is like a loaf of bread that has been cooked without love and kneaded without wisdom but has a grey crust. The bad justice is ultimately the one that is made too late.

* The other meals can be skipped if there is delicious, ample bread or justice. However, the reality is that a person never always receives justice.

* Similarly, bread is a daily requirement that supports our ability to preserve our lives. Another constant requirement that is unavoidable is justice.

* Justice is required throughout the day in a variety of circumstances. Whatever the circumstances—happy or difficult—we must eat to survive, and that is justice.

* Finally, the poet poses a fundamental query, such as "Who bakes the bread of justice?" And he provides an answer to that query. That is people must bake their bread of justice as they have spent their entire lives perfecting the art of breadmaking.

* In the poem, Brecht's language is straightforward and accessible, reflecting his commitment to socialist principles and his desire to reach a wide audience. 

The tone of the poem is defiant and revolutionary, encouraging the people of the world to challenge the status quo and assert their rights.

Themes :

Equality should be followed 

Emphasis on Justice 

The Ill system of the world 

Common brotherhood