A Worker Reads History
By: Bertolt Brecht
Who built the seven gates of Thebes?
The books are filled with names of kings.
Was it the kings who hauled the craggy blocks of stone?
And Babylon, so many times destroyed.
Who built the city up each time? In which of Lima's houses,
That city glittering with gold, lived those who built it?
In the evening when the Chinese wall was finished
Where did the masons go? Imperial Rome
Is full of arcs of triumph. Who reared them up? Over whom
Did the Caesars triumph? Byzantium lives in song.
Were all her dwellings palaces? And even in Atlantis of the legend
The night the seas rushed in,
The drowning men still bellowed for their slaves.
Young Alexander conquered India.
He alone?
Caesar beat the Gauls.
Was there not even a cook in his army?
Phillip of Spain wept as his fleet
was sunk and destroyed. Were there no other tears?
Frederick the Greek triumphed in the Seven Years War.
Who triumphed with him?
Each page a victory
At whose expense the victory ball?
Every ten years a great man,
Who paid the piper?
So many particulars.
So many questions.
The books are filled with names of kings.
Was it the kings who hauled the craggy blocks of stone?
And Babylon, so many times destroyed.
Who built the city up each time? In which of Lima's houses,
That city glittering with gold, lived those who built it?
In the evening when the Chinese wall was finished
Where did the masons go? Imperial Rome
Is full of arcs of triumph. Who reared them up? Over whom
Did the Caesars triumph? Byzantium lives in song.
Were all her dwellings palaces? And even in Atlantis of the legend
The night the seas rushed in,
The drowning men still bellowed for their slaves.
Young Alexander conquered India.
He alone?
Caesar beat the Gauls.
Was there not even a cook in his army?
Phillip of Spain wept as his fleet
was sunk and destroyed. Were there no other tears?
Frederick the Greek triumphed in the Seven Years War.
Who triumphed with him?
Each page a victory
At whose expense the victory ball?
Every ten years a great man,
Who paid the piper?
So many particulars.
So many questions.
The point of the author is that man has made history. Jose G.
ReplyDeleteWell stated, Jose!
Deletethe authors point in this poem is that he is asking who built the things like cities.
ReplyDeleteKenneth L.
The authors point in the poem is to give us information about history. -Daniella M.
ReplyDeleteThe author"s point in this poem is that our curiosity will never end and that will have questions for everything.
ReplyDeleteJosué B
Wonderful perspective, Josue!
DeleteThe authors point in this poem is that there is a question for all the things in the world. Donaldo G.
ReplyDeleteGreat observation, Donaldo!
DeleteThe authors point is that he tells about the history and asks questions.
ReplyDeleteJulie K.
The authors point in this poem is that there will always be something to learn about but we will also have questions about it. The author also tells us in this poem that that there are many things to know about but there will also be questions about that topic. No matter what you will always encounter many questions about everything that you want to learn more.
ReplyDeleteAnge M.
The author´s point in this poem is about who really made history and that making questions does not have real ending.
ReplyDeleteBella.T
DeleteThe author's point in this poem is the fact that there are people behind the big, great, and known 'heroes' that helped them do the great deeds, but this known people get the full credit of the big actions.
ReplyDelete- Paulina R.
I totally agree with you.
DeleteNicely phrased, Paulina.
Deletewhat i think the author is trying to say through this poem is that were giving all the credit to the kings and mighty heroes who did these things. Who where the people behind all these mighty things they did and what they built. Basically saying that we only remember the great heroes and not the ones that helped them achieve there goals.
ReplyDeleteWill M.
Don't forget the little guys, right, Will?
DeleteWell, i think that the author's point in this poem is focusing to show us many questions you can have in life history. they may have a answer. whatever we are the ones that make history so lets begin by studying harder to complete our purpose in life and gain respect.
ReplyDeleteJOHN MUÑOZ
Don't forget to use capital letters after a period
DeleteThe author point in this poem I think is that behind history there are great heroes, kings, and many intriguing questions to answer.
ReplyDelete-Swanny Palacios.
I think the author´s point in this poem is that strong people need weak people. This means that leaders in every type of socities would never have gotten where they got to be, if people wouldn´t support or help the leader. The leaders got to be leaders because of the people and slaves for their work, and warriors to conquer.
ReplyDeleteNain M.
you should be writing in worldstudies2 -.- pay attention -.-
DeleteThe authors point in this poem is that behind all the great names, facts, and events of famous people in history, there is important things that we don't look at. Like Samurai warriors, they study the history of the people they were wanting to conquer so that they could appreciate abstract pieces of culture, to now how previous wars were won and things like that . What I'm trying to say is that the author wants us to think about not only the famous but to know the details and to appreciate the knowledge in which we can learn and grow from.
ReplyDelete-Abigail W.
Great job, Abi!
DeleteI think that the author's point of view is to let us know that people that contribute in society aren't just the wealthy and powerful ones, but also the weak and poor. The leaders get to be leaders, by the people who contribute.
ReplyDeleteDevis O.
The author's point in this poem is, behind every famous event maybe someone did something important and then all the credits are given to him, but an army is not only one men.What i'm trying to say is that there is so mucm more people that is not being recognized for what they do.
ReplyDelete-Marcelo E.
You spelled 'much' incorrectly.
Deletemuch
ReplyDelete-Marcelo E
I think the authors point is that the big leaders don´t get there alone or the important buildings aren´t build by one person only but with help of people we don´t appreciate.
ReplyDeleteKatherine D.
Well done, class. You really did a wonderful job exploring the meaning of this poem!
ReplyDeletei Think the point is that people will go through many hardships and triumphs,but you are not the only one rejoicing or mourning,that's what friends and followers are for.
ReplyDelete:)
You didn't put your name.
DeleteWho is this?
To me the author's point in the poem mentions how to history there are many questions some that can be answered and some thet remain a mystery. It also tells us how man has contributed with history not only kings and presidents but the humble and average.
ReplyDelete