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About this quote

What does it mean?
War makes civilians look small and helpless, like birds waiting for food.
In plain terms
People under a bomber look like starlings waiting to eat.
What can you take from it?
War reduces humans to vulnerable creatures.

Where it applies

  • war reporting
  • historical study
  • human rights

Putting it to work

  • protect civilians
  • document war
  • oppose bombing

Questions to consider

  • How does war dehumanize?
  • What do we owe victims?

Another view

Not all war scenes look exactly like this.

More from Bertolt Brecht

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  2. And I always thought: the very simplest words Must be enough. When I say what things are like Everyone's heart must be torn to shreds. That you'll go down if y…

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  3. This is the year which people will talk about This is the year which people will be silent about. The old see the young die. The foolish see the wise die. The …

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