The Brotherhood of Man

[macleod01]

I was wondering what this was? I am taking part in a drama play set just after teh german occupation of France, and in one line it says a character believes in the Brotherhood of Man. they then go on to be asked 'Does the Brotherhood not agree with sergeant'. So im curious, what was this group? Any information would be much appreciated.

[iTunes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotherhood_of_Man

[infowars]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brotherhood_of_Man

 

[macleod01]

yea yea, apart from a pop group, what is the Brotherhood of man?

[pervert]

I'm not gonna try and type 2 pages to try and explain it heres a good wee number that should help 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OoknDiEcJWw&feature=related

[lagger86]

yea yea, apart from a pop group, what is the Brotherhood of man?

you obviously came to the wrong place with your question.

[Furball]

yea yea, apart from a pop group, what is the Brotherhood of man?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sdaRuTwWl9I

[macleod01]

you obviously came to the wrong place with your question.

Obviously, however I was hoping someone such as Widewing or snailman could shed some light on me. This is really interesting for me as it obviously plays a key part in the make up of my character. Anyone able to help?

[DREDIOCK]

I'm not gonna try and type 2 pages to try and explain it heres a good wee number that should help 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OoknDiEcJWw&feature=related

LMAO!

And what is with that dance routine?
The Pips,or Stylistics, they aint

[Lusche]

I was wondering what this was? I am taking part in a drama play set just after teh german occupation of France, and in one line it says a character believes in the Brotherhood of Man. they then go on to be asked 'Does the Brotherhood not agree with sergeant'. So im curious, what was this group? Any information would be much appreciated.

Just taking a wild guess: I don't think it does refer to actual group but just the mere philosophical concept if the brotherhood of man(kind). Of course hard to say without having read the text...
What's the title and who's the author of that play?

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"The brotherhood of man is no mere poet’s dream, it is a most depressing and humiliating reality."
The Decay Of Lying, Oscar Wilde

[macleod01]

The Pen Of My Aunt, by Gordon Daviot. Hope that helps, but the way its phrased makes it seem as if its an actual group.

[Lusche]

I still think it's more like a pun than a actual organisation. "Brotherhood of Man" is indeed a very common philosophical term. If it was a reference to an actual real-world organisation, that very group would have to extremely well known to the average viewer of that play, otherwise that line wouldn't work. If it was a fictional one, it would have been explained in the play earlier.

Sadly, this play is way too obscure, even the university's library here has nothing published by Gordon Daviot (aka Josephine Tey aka Elizabeth Mackintosh), so I can't check the text.

[macleod01]

Im not really surprised that you couldnt find it, but I can copy the lines that or relevence.

A On-the-run french soldier is captured by a German corporal and taken to a known collaberators house. However she is a double agent, and helps escapees and the like escape to freedom. In the play the soldier pretends this collaberator is his aunt, to fool the german. After the German leaves, the soldier (Stranger) and the french madame talk, to try and help the stranger

madame - But of course I have a nephew. I tell lies, my friend, but not silly lies. My charming nephew has gone to Bonneval for the day. He finds country life dull.

Stranger - Dull? This - this Heaven?

Madame - (dryly) He likes to talk, and here there is no audience. At the Headquarters in Bonneval he finds the audience sympathetic.

Stranger - (Understanding the implication) Ah

Madame - He blelieves in the Brotherhood of Man - If you can credit it

Stranger - After the last six months?

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On the next page they continue their discussion

Stranger - If your nephew is so friendly with the Invader, how come the coporal doesnt know him by sight?

Madame - (absently) The unit at St Estephe is a non commissioned one

Stranger - Does the Brotherhood exclude sergents then?

Madame - Oh definetly. Brotherhood does not really begin under field rank, I understand.
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Hope this helps snailman, taken directly from the text

[Anaxogoras]

Lusche is correct I think.

Here is my semi-educated guess:

"Brotherhood of Man" sounds like an 18th century enlightenment term.  This philosophical movement emphasized the superiority of reason over superstition, tradition and faith, and advocated changing all of our morals and social institutions to be in accordance with reason (At this time, "reason" would encompass both the findings of empirical science and philosophy).  A Brotherhood of Man would be the supposed consequence, where nation-states brought into accord with reason would no longer find it in their self-interest to fight each other.

I would read up on some Voltaire if you're really serious about it.  The term is likely French in origin, hence the motto: "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité."  "Brotherhood" seems to have a wider meaning in French literature and thought than it does in the Anglo-American world.

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Edit: Just read the lines from the play.  He believes in the Brotherhood of Man - If you can credit it.  That looks like a bad translation. 

Edit: This play was written in English?

[Lusche]

Yup, the text excerpt proves it - It doesn't refer to any actual "group". It's a witty line (well, more or less)

Edit: Is something akin to "He's believing in all men being equal" "Yes, but equality doesn't start below the rank of Major"