Super Short Summary

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht follows Anna Fierling, known as Mother Courage, and her three children as they navigate the hardships of the Thirty Years War in seventeenth-century Europe. Operating a rolling canteen business, Mother Courage attempts to profit from the war while striving to keep her children safe. Over twelve years and twelve scenes, the family encounters various challenges and tragedies, ultimately leaving Mother Courage poor, childless, and alone as she continues her journey with her canteen wagon. The book contains scenes depicting violence, torture, and sexual assault, including the trauma experienced by Kattrin.