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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mother Courage sing "The Song of Great Capitulation"?

2. Why does Mother Courage think Eilif is in high favor of the commander?

3. What is the first soldier wearing?

4. In Eilif's story, what does he do when the peasants have him cornered?

5. When her mother doesn't help the peasants, why does Kattrin pick up the wooden board in the tent?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the soldier wear a woman's fur coat?

2. Does Mother Courage think Kattrin will have an easy life as a wife?

3. Is "nothing sacred" to Kattrin in the lieutenant's opinion?

4. Why does Mother Courage sing "The Song of Great Capitulation" to calm the young soldier?

5. What is the debate over the legitimacy of the villagers?

6. Why does Mother Courage continue to talk with the sergeant and recruiting officer even though they are trying to recruit her sons into the army?

7. Why does "Mother Courage" end with Mother Courage pulling her cart and singing?

8. Why is Eilif a hero in the commander's eyes?

9. When Mother Courage refuses to help the peasant family, has Kattrin's defiance of her mother escalated?

10. Why is Mother Courage so protective of her soldiers' shirts?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There can be a fine line between lie and delusion in "Mother Courage".

Part 1: What are characters' relationships with lying and deceit?

Part 2: What are characters' relationships with delusions?

Part 3: What are the cause and effect relationships between these two? What connects them? What is Brecht's purpose in this?

Essay Topic 2

War is the context, driving force, and most prominent character in "Mother Courage and Her Children".

Part 1) Who is "War", the character?

Part 2) What is Brecht's statement about "War"?

Essay Topic 3

In the first scene, Mother Courage prophesies the fates of her children. Mother Courage is also blind to much of reality through the play. Discuss Mother Courage's "prophetic" perception of the world, how she views herself, and how others view her.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample