Explain the conflict between the mother and the tradeswoman in “Mother Courage and Her Children.”

Answer

Explain the conflict between the mother and the tradeswoman in “Mother Courage and Her Children.” [NU: 2020] 

Bertolt Brecht’s (1898–1956) play “Mother Courage and Her Children” (1941) shows war through the eyes of Anna Fierling, called Mother Courage. She is both a loving mother and a clever tradeswoman. But these two roles always clash. She wants to save her children, Eilif, Swiss Cheese, and Kattrin. Yet she also wants to earn profit from war. This double role creates deep conflict in her life.

Singing for Trade but Losing Her Son: In the Prologue, Mother Courage enters with her wagon. Her sons, Eilif and Swiss Cheese, pull the cart. Her daughter Kattrin plays the harmonica. Together they sing,

“Here’s Mother Courage and her wagon!

Hey, Captain, Let them come and buy!”

The song is about trade. But while she bargains with the Sergeant for a belt, the Recruiting Officer takes Eilif away. Here, the conflict is clear. As a mother, she wants to save Eilif. As a tradeswoman, she focuses on business. In the end, she loses her son to the army.

Warning Eilif, but Enjoying His Success: Later, the Commander praises Eilif for bravery. He killed peasants and stole cattle. Eilif sings proudly, 

“The soldier laughs and loads his gun.”

Mother Courage scolds him: 

“Didn’t I teach you to take care of yourself, you Finnish devil, you?”

This shows the conflict again. As a mother, she worries that Eilif risks his life. As a tradeswoman, she smiles when the Commander rewards him. She feels proud of the same war that may destroy him.

Bargaining over Swiss Cheese’s Life: When Swiss Cheese is captured with the regimental cash box, Mother Courage runs to save him. She tells him, 

“Don’t forget they made you paymaster because you’re honest.”

She knows honesty makes him valuable. But as a tradeswoman, she bargains too long to reduce the ransom money. While she delays, the soldiers