2008
“Of course, there would be schools in the big boxes as well. There the little fish would learn how to swim into the mouths of the sharks.”
Before analyzing this allegorically adorned short story, first we should better know the political ideology of the writer, Bertolt Brecht, as his symbolisms in this story directly points finger at the ruler and subservient relationship and obedience phenomenon. Bertolt Brecht, famous as a play writer and a poet, was known with his communist ideology which fed not only his life perspective but also his writings.
In my humble opinion, in his short-story named “If Sharks were People…” he is making a criticism of capitalist system which he sees as the higher class’ oppression over the masses. He chooses to make this criticism using allegories, sharks as the rulers and little fish as the masses. The reason he decides for symbolism may be for readers to think thoroughly and find their own reasons and conclusions. The way he chooses, allowing reader to think and form his own judgment, is fundamentally a better and more influent way.
Brecht sees arts, religion and education as an opportunity for “the big brother” to bring the masses of little fish to his knees. He thinks of art as a way to show the shark in a better way. He thinks of religion as a way to make fish believe being eaten by a shark in the right time is a holy thing. He thinks of education as a way to teach masses the obedience to the superior.
“One would let the little fish know that this future is only assured when they learn obedience....”
From my point of view, Brecht wishes a more skeptic and maybe a more dynamic, judgmental and revolting way of living for people. He desires a life that people chooses their own ways in their own style of living and own style of thinking. Although failing to escape from the bombardment of advertising and being influenced is inevitable, masses may be able learn the truth underneath and choose their own way and maybe even choosing their way of being influenced. This means a conscious escape from the obedient mass and that is what Brecht desires and why he uses symbolisms, I suppose.
In Yusuf Idris’ “The Chair Carrier” there is also a similar criticism about the obedience culture. In the story there was a chair which was symbolizing the unquestioned responsibilities.
“Of course, there would be schools in the big boxes as well. There the little fish would learn how to swim into the mouths of the sharks.”
Before analyzing this allegorically adorned short story, first we should better know the political ideology of the writer, Bertolt Brecht, as his symbolisms in this story directly points finger at the ruler and subservient relationship and obedience phenomenon. Bertolt Brecht, famous as a play writer and a poet, was known with his communist ideology which fed not only his life perspective but also his writings.
In my humble opinion, in his short-story named “If Sharks were People…” he is making a criticism of capitalist system which he sees as the higher class’ oppression over the masses. He chooses to make this criticism using allegories, sharks as the rulers and little fish as the masses. The reason he decides for symbolism may be for readers to think thoroughly and find their own reasons and conclusions. The way he chooses, allowing reader to think and form his own judgment, is fundamentally a better and more influent way.
Brecht sees arts, religion and education as an opportunity for “the big brother” to bring the masses of little fish to his knees. He thinks of art as a way to show the shark in a better way. He thinks of religion as a way to make fish believe being eaten by a shark in the right time is a holy thing. He thinks of education as a way to teach masses the obedience to the superior.
“One would let the little fish know that this future is only assured when they learn obedience....”
From my point of view, Brecht wishes a more skeptic and maybe a more dynamic, judgmental and revolting way of living for people. He desires a life that people chooses their own ways in their own style of living and own style of thinking. Although failing to escape from the bombardment of advertising and being influenced is inevitable, masses may be able learn the truth underneath and choose their own way and maybe even choosing their way of being influenced. This means a conscious escape from the obedient mass and that is what Brecht desires and why he uses symbolisms, I suppose.
In Yusuf Idris’ “The Chair Carrier” there is also a similar criticism about the obedience culture. In the story there was a chair which was symbolizing the unquestioned responsibilities.
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