Examines Brechts use of the theatre as a public arena for political change.Staging History analyzes the commitment to social change present in the theatrical and theoretical writings of Bertolt Brecht. Challenging previous notions; Astrid Oesmann argues that Brechtrsquo;s work was less dependent on Marxist ideology than is often assumed and that his work should be seen as a coherent whole. Brecht used the stage to release political ideas into experimental spaces in which actors and spectators could explore the relationships between abstract thought and concrete social life. Oesmann places Brecht within the context of the major leftist theorists of the twentieth century; particularly Adorno; Benjamin; and Lukagrave;cs; focusing on their discussions of realism; aesthetics; natural history; and mimesis. Oesmann elaborates upon the vision of a ldquo;counter-public sphererdquo; in a number of Brechtrsquo;s theoretical texts and playsmdash;especially The Three Penny Trial and Fear and Misery of the Third Reichmdash;that present the emergence of such a sphere in the face of fascism. By exploring Brechtrsquo;s theoretical writings; selected plays; and recently published theatrical fragments; Oesmann reveals unpredictable constructions of history and surprising distinctions among various political ideologies; while also proving that Brecht remains vitally relevant to a ldquo;post-communistrdquo; world.Astrid Oesmann is Associate Professor of German and Comparative Literature at The University of Iowa
#559356 in eBooks 2013-06-18 2013-06-18File Name: B00D3AVVVG
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Amazing True Accounts of Heavenly Experiences.By S. LebelAwesome book.I cannot put it down.I cannot wait to get the others in the series. Easy to read short experiences/stories.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I needed some encouragement and I ran across this book ...By CustomerI needed some encouragement and I ran across this book. Ive read some encouraging stories in it; that hit home. Others; not so much. But thats true of any collection of stories.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Most helpful.By Judie OConnorI bought this about 5 months after my husband lost his battle with cancer. It was helpful to read of others experiences of loss so I knew I wasnt alone in my loss.