This collection captures a mind in crisis. Johannes Robert Becher was writing in the years before and during World War I, a time of incredible social and artistic upheaval in Germany. The poems in this first part act as a personal record of that chaos.

The Story

There isn't a single narrative, but a powerful emotional arc. The poems move from a deep, almost violent rejection of the bourgeois world Becher came from—its hypocrisy, its stuffiness, its march toward war. You can feel his anger and despair. Then, slowly, a new hunger emerges. It's the shaky, hopeful search for a different kind of society, one based on revolutionary ideals. The 'decay' of the old order is painfully clear; the 'triumph' of the new one is still just a desperate, beautiful dream.

Why You Should Read It

I was struck by how immediate it all feels. This isn't a history lesson; it's the heat of the moment. Becher isn't a calm observer. He's in the thick of it, wrestling with big questions about art, politics, and humanity. His language is explosive, sometimes jagged, full of intense imagery. You don't have to agree with where his search led him later in life to appreciate the raw power of this early struggle. It's about that universal human experience of realizing the ground beneath your feet is gone and having to build a new foundation, brick by painful brick.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love poetry that punches you in the gut, not just the heart. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the birth of modern German literature, Expressionism, or the turbulent early 20th century. If you enjoy the charged, restless energy of writers like Bertolt Brecht or the early works of other artists shaped by war, you'll find a kindred spirit in Becher. Just be ready for a turbulent, unforgettable ride.