Caucasian Chalk Circle: cultural context

‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’: Cultural Context

Understanding Historical and Cultural Influences

‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’ was written in 1944, during World War II. Its context is infused with themes of revolution, inequality and injustice.
The play’s social and political environment is heavily influenced by Brecht’s Marxist philosophy. The characters’ struggles relating to class, power and property distribution echo Marxist ideologies.

Story Origin and Folklore Elements

The narrative is based on an ancient Chinese folklore, ‘The Chalk Circle’, adapted to a setting in the Caucasus mountains. This adaptation emphasizes the universality of its themes and moral questions.
It incorporates elements of Georgian folk songs and narratives, which complement and enhance the text and serve as a vehicle for meanings and messages.

Influence of Soviet Russia

The story takes place in a village in Georgia, a former Soviet Union republic. The anxieties of the era, particularly pertaining to the struggles against fascistic forces, inform the backdrop of the narrative.

Influence of Epic Theatre

The play is composed in line with the principles of Epic Theatre, a form developed by Brecht. It utilises techniques such as direct audience address, episodic structure and songs, aiming to spark critical reflection rather than emotional identification.
The aesthetic of Verfremdungseffekt or Alienation effect is used to distance the audience and encourage rational assessment over emotive response.

Brecht’s Social Activism

Deeply impacted by the plight of war refugees, Brecht sought to voice his concerns through his play, raising questions about ownership, justice, and laws of society.
He uses characters and situations to critique societal systems and to propose a humanitarian and egalitarian approach to resolving conflicts.

The cultural context helps shape the play’s core themes of justice, motherhood, and entitlement, embedding them in specific historical and social realities. This, in turn, underscores Brecht’s argument of material circumstances shaping human behaviour.
By adopting this analytical approach to studying ‘Caucasian Chalk Circle’, you can enhance your understanding and interpretation of the play, both from a performance perspective and in terms of its wider thematic significance.