Man Equals Man

Book Review

Bertolt Brecht's «Man Equals Man» is a witty and unsettling parable about the fragility of human identity and the malleability of personality in the face of circumstance. Brecht masterfully exposes the mechanisms by which an everyman is transformed into a faceless part of the military machine, showing how easily a person loses himself under external pressure. The play's language is rich with ironic dialogues, and the characters are grotesque and vivid, giving the work a distinct theatrical sharpness. Critics note that Brecht, using elements of epic theatre, compels the audience not only to empathize but also to reflect, distancing themselves from emotion in favor of analysis. «Man Equals Man» is a work in which the tragicomedy of human nature is revealed with relentless honesty, and questions about the essence of individuality and responsibility remain strikingly relevant in any era.