Mr Puntila and His Man Matti

Style and Technique

Brecht’s style in «Mr Puntila and His Man Matti» is marked by deliberate simplicity and clarity, behind which lies deep irony and subtle satire. The language of the work is rich in lively dialogue, echoing folk speech filled with sharp turns of phrase, proverbs, and aphoristic remarks. Brecht skillfully employs the technique of alienation: he breaks the illusion of theatricality, prompting the reader to consciously perceive what is happening, to see the social and philosophical meanings beneath the comedic surface. The narrative structure alternates episodes, each like a self-contained scene revealing the characters and their contradictions. The author deftly weaves elements of the grotesque, farce, and satirical exaggeration into the story, creating a vivid, multilayered picture of life, where beneath the apparent lightness and comedy lie serious reflections on human nature, power, and freedom.