What was the crime of Eilif, and why did he die?
Mother Courage and Her Children is a notable literary work by Bertolt Brecht. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Mother Courage and Her Children.
Answer
What was the crime of Eilif, and why did he die? [NU: 2021]
In “Mother Courage and Her Children” (1941), Eilif is the eldest son of Mother Courage. He is brave but also violent. At first, war makes him a hero. Later, peace turns him into a criminal. His story shows how war changes rules. The same action that once brought reward becomes the crime that leads to his death.
Eilif as a War Hero: In Scene Two, the Commander praises Eilif for stealing cattle and killing peasants. 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?”
At this time, war calls his violence bravery. He becomes a celebrated soldier.
The crime of Eilif: Later, when peace comes, the same action becomes a crime. Eilif again steals cattle and kills peasants. But now the war is over. His act is no longer seen as bravery. He is arrested. Brecht shows that war morality is unstable. What is right in war is wrong in peace. Eilif cannot understand this cruel shift.
The Reason for His Death: Eilif is executed for his crime. His death is tragic irony. The Commander once rewarded him, but later, society punished him. Mother Courage does not even see his execution. She is away with her wagon. His death shows Brecht’s anti-war message: war uses people, then destroys them. Eilif dies because war changes the rules when it wants.
Eilif’s crime was stealing cattle and killing peasants. He died because peace turned his war act into murder. His death shows the cruelty of war. A son praised as a hero becomes a criminal. Brecht teaches us that war always ends in betrayal and death.