Study Questions & Essay Topics
Study Questions
1. What is the “alienation effect,” and
how does Brecht employ the technique in
The Threepenny Opera?
2. How is Macheath a morally ambiguous
character?
3. What do the portrayals of the wedding
and brothel scenes indicate about Brecht's ideas of marriage and sex?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Why is Macheath's life spared at the end of the play?
2. How is Peachum portrayed as an ironic villain in The Threepenny
Opera?
3. Why are the characters in The Threepenny
Opera motivated by self-interest rather than love? Explain
how self-interest affects their relationships with the other characters.
4. How do the songs in The Threepenny Opera affect
the scenes? Choose three songs in the play and explain.
5. How does the use of the Bible in The Threepenny
Opera reflect the author's thoughts about the church and
organized religion?
