This is a very simple assignment. Read the poem in class and then discuss it. What does it mean? What does it say about history? How might we think differently about historical causation after thinking about what Brecht has to say? Who makes history?
"Who built the seven towers of Thebes?
The books are filled with names of kings.
Was it kings who hauled the craggy blocks of stone?
In the enening when the Chinese wall was finished
Where did the masons go?. . .
Young Alexander plundered Indis.
He alone?
Caesar beat the Gauls.
Was there not even a cook in his army?
Philip of Spain wept as his fleet
Was sunk and destroyed. Were there no other tears?
Frederick the Great triumphed in the Seven
Years War. Who
Triumphed with him? . . .
Every ten years a great man,
Who paid the piper?
So many particulars.
So many questions."
— Bertold Brecht
This exercise was contributed by Randi Storch.