Numbering Technique - Essay Example

The author portrays science as a source of fascination, in this essay. In addition, he also believes that science possesses potential powers in liberating people's minds where its method and rationality can be applied to reality. In Brecht's opinion, nature is a resource for scientific and technological experiments to be exploited for the benefit of the whole human society, rather than being a tool to promote the interests of certain social classes that control the resources of science. This idealism reflects an affinity to Marxism, and it is clear that Brecht's political view becomes apparent in his usage of words such as 'bourgeoisie' and 'proletariat'.

The numbering technique, or, in other words, the form used by Brecht, serves as a device to further support his central idea-his goal in letting the audience to be able to 'alienate' from acting (Are you using the words in the context of pretending If so, please replace 'acting' with 'pretending') and encouraging them to change their habits and assumptions about the society. The way the author numbers each paragraphs, to separate one from the other, allows readers brief pauses to ponder over the content.

Instead of being influenced by the author, the readers receive the opportunity to think and remain detached of the author's arguments. In comparison, Brechian theater's estrangement effect appeals to reasoning, as it uses various methods to produce a critical attitude in audience. This concept departs from the traditional "empathy" that prevents audience from thinking freely, in order for them to see the real message that lies hidden in the play that may be socially unquestioned. It appears that such an intention of trying to force the audience to 'think' is Brecht's answer to transform the society through the changes made in theatre.

There are several points in which the characteristics of alienation effect align with the changes in theatre, and as a consequence, achieve Brecht's goal of changing the audience of the scientific age. One characteristic is that Brecht wants his play to be separated into parts rather than be a continual piece. Brecht suggests: "As we cannot invite the audience to fling itself into the story as if it were a river and let itself be carried vaguely hither and thither, the individual episodes have to be knotted together in such a way that the knots are easily noticed.

The episodes must not succeed one another indistinguishably but must give us a chance to interpose our judgment." (201) This may be done through having the orchestra play on stage rather than off-stage, or having a narrator to talk to the audience through out the play, or adding social point in between titles, etc. These techniques create the same alienation effect, similar Brecht's use of numbers to separate his ideas in "A Short Organum for the Theatre." Likewise is his technique of segregating his essay into smaller paragraphs by numbering them, so as to allow readers enough time to re-read each paragraph and ponder over it before proceeding to the