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In this scene I will break down the events of Scene 1 and Mother Courages's intentions and actions that occur as a result.

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Scene 1 opens in Dalarna in spring of 1624.

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The Recruiting Officer and Sergeant were recruiting soliders for the war. They needed many more bodies and fast. It was proven difficult because the Recruiting Officer and Sergeant would be tricked by potential recruits.

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They would buy Recruits drinks and get them drunk to try and convince them to join the war. But their ruse didn't work as often as they expected it to. Leaving them drunk, out of money, and cold waiting for more potential recruits.

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They come across Courage, Kattrin, Swiss Cheese and Eilif sitting on her wagon. They harass Courage for her papers . And then ask her about her family and tell the Courage family how theres a lack of discipline in the army. In a way appealing to the children by letting them know it is a free for all and they may not have to  follow the rules because no one does. Possibly also suggesting that maybe by their asking, the Sargent and the Recruiting Officer believe that if any of them were to join it would help build a sense of disciple. You know, you guys will make the army look better and bestow upon the army what was lacking.

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They then reveal that they were indeed trying to get new enlistees. Specifically, they were trying to con Eilif to join with flattery and appealing to child desire.

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Mother Courage loses it.

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Then the Sargent suggests that Mother Courage had no right to be upset now that it's time for her to make a sacrifice for the war. She gladely lives off the war so therefore the war shouldn't have to ask for something in return. She should just do it and be okay with it.

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What is most interesting about this concept that Bertolt Brecht expresses in this text, is the suggestion that war is an entity and that when war occurs the people are always powerless to it. Thus, leaving the people no other choice but to serve this "entity".  And of course, when war comes a-knockin to collect- you pay up.

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Mother Courage's business wouldn't exist without the war. There'd be no soldiers to feed. Without this war she wouldn't be able to feed, clothe or protect her children.

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In a sense War is like a petulant child, causing chaos and mayhem. Every incident and whether it'll change things is dependent on how these incidents are dealt with. Sometimes you have to give a little to be able to take but when do we say enough is enough and put our foot down?

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She insists to the Sergeant that he is a corpse on furlough.

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But in a way isn't Mother Courage as well? I believe that she is dead inside. The War has taken a toll on her whether permanent damage or not, who knows. But her way of coping is her sarcasm making light of the severities of war with jokes. There are moments of bitterness in the play that show the deeper issues that she has within herself. I believe that she to some degree hates herself because she is aware that to some degree she wants the War just as much as the Sergeant and others. The War is helping her take care of the ones she loves but it also has damages and destroyed many others. She is conflicted and maybe even a little ashamed.

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The scene ends with Courage telling the fortune of the Sergeant and her children. They are all doomed to die by the black cross they have chose out of a shuffle.  Eilif is to die due to bravery, Swiss Cheese for his honesty and Kattrin for her kindness.

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Courage is filled with sorry for their inevitable fates. But she needs to remember, everyone has to pay for the war.