Brecht and the Mothers of Epic Theatre

Abstract

Despite the growing criticism of Bertolt Brecht's use of women in the theater, it cannot be denied that the most prominent and interesting roles in his later plays are female. Not only did he have the incentive of writing for the extraordinarily talented actress, Helene Weigel; Brecht probably sensed as well that dilemmas facing women, as estranged and disenfranchised members of society, could articulate his own views. It remains for feminists to capitalize on their potential for gender studies.