Mother Courage and Her Children | Scene 7 | Summary

Summary

Shortly after, Mother Courage's business has picked up. With her cart full of new items, she wears a silver necklace as she and Kattrin continue along the road. In her song she praises the war as a good financial provider, for it kills off the weak and allows the strong to survive.

Analysis

This short scene reveals Mother Courage's business is doing very well, which pleases her greatly. Happy to continue profiting from the war, she states, "I won't have you folk spoiling my war ... war gives its people a better deal." Mother Courage delights in the war, despite its having taken her sons and resulted in her daughter's misery. Her new silver-coin necklace represents her prosperity and appears to have more value to her than her daughter's dreams or her son's life. It is noteworthy the necklace is made of silver coins, rather than simply the metal itself or in combination with gem stones. Mother Courage is actually wearing money around her neck, confirming her overwhelming pride as a profiteer, which defines her character.