How we cite our quotes: (Scene, Line numbers)
Quote #4
SERGEANT looking after them:
Like the war to nourish you?
Have to feed it something too.
This sergeant sure knows how to bust a rhyme. These are the last lines of Scene 1, and they foreshadow the way things go down in Mother Courage. As Mother Courage departs, already one child short of three, the sergeant's lines remind us of her conundrum: counting on the war to feed you might mean you'll lose everything you love.
Quote #5
THE GENERAL slapping Eilif on the shoulder: Now then, Eilif my son, into your general's tent with you and sit thou at my right hand. For you accomplished a deed of heroism, like a pious cavalier, and doing what you did for God, and in a war of religion at that, is something I commend in you most highly, you shall have a gold bracelet as soon as we've taken this town. […] (II, 45-50)
Jackpot! Not only is Eilif promised a gold bracelet; he is invited to share a meal with the general in his special tent. War sets up a system of values and rewards, but when it's over, it's over. When Eilif tries to pull a similar move during peacetime, he's executed. Talk about tough luck.
Quote #6
THE COOK: […] it cost the king dear trying to give freedom to Germany, what with giving Sweden the salt tax, what cost the poor folk a bit, so I've heard […] One thing he had on his side, God's word, that was a help. Because otherwise folk would of been saying he done it all for himself and to make a bit on the side. So he's always had a good conscience, which was the main point. (III, 189-207)
So, what exactly was the main point? In this ironic passage, the cook suggests the king started the war just to raise taxes on his own people. While the war is touted as a war of faith, the cook seems to think that just covers up the reality. War is about money.