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Ignatius Timothy Bonario

Nurul Adha Kurniati

Introduction To Literature (GHUM2304 - C)

28 April 2023

“The Potential Risks of Being Obsessed with Luck” in short story

“Four Men and a Poker Game"

In the short story "Four Men and a Poker Game" by Bertolt Brecht, the author

presents a group of men who gather to play poker and engage in a series of conversations that

reveal their values, beliefs, and attitudes toward life. Through the use of characterization,

dialogue, and plot, Brecht explores the theme of class struggle and the impact of capitalism

on individuals and society. The four guys in Bertolt Brecht's short story "Four Men and a

Poker Game" are traveling back to New York after winning a sizable sum of money in

Havana. The pursuit of wealth and status can lead individuals to abandon their moral

principles, resulting in a loss of humanity and a descent into selfishness and immorality.

There is evidence that positive, luck-enhancing superstitions provide a psychological benefit

that can improve skilled performance. (“The Psychology of Superstition”)

In Bertolt Brecht's "Four Men and a Poker Game", the setting is essential to

conveying the story's message (Brecht 131). The four wealthy men aboard the ship are first

introduced in the opening words of the novel, setting the stage for what happens next. As the

narrative goes on, it becomes clear that the ship cramped and isolated environment amplifies

the characters' actions and reactions. The characters' anxiety is heightened by the cramped

quarters and lack of privacy, intensifying the competitive nature of the game. The story is

also filled with peril and uncertainty due to the ocean's unpredictable nature (Brecht 131).

The length of the game is another evidence of the players' spirit of competition and tenacity

(Brecht 133). The prolonged playing time captures the excitement of the game and highlights
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the protagonists' fixation with winning at all costs. The reader is cautioned about the negative

effects of excessive fixation by Johnny's recognition that playing for longer than 24 hours is

risky (Brecht 135).

In Bertolt Brecht's "Four Men and a Poker Game", Johnny's overwhelming poker luck

irritates the other players, which leads to violence. At the beginning of the story, society

views Johnny Baker, a swimmer, as a lucky individual rather than a talented athlete. His

successes are frequently credited to chance, especially when he beats competitors who are not

at their best. On page 131, it states, "He was what they call fortune's child." Johnny Baker

was the name he was given. Lucky Johnny." This impression is comparable to how many

doubt Rockefeller's ability since he seems to get everything delivered to him effortlessly.

"For when a man can't unfold a paper napkin without finding a dollar bill, people start to

wonder whether he is good at his business, even though his name is Rockefeller," it is said on

page 131. In addition, as stated on page 132, "But once again it was an open secret that his

strongest opponent couldn't stand the climate and hadn't been fit," society assumes that

Johnny's strongest opponent was unable to compete due to the weather. These presumptions

ignore the effort and commitment needed to succeed in any sector and are a reflection of

society's predisposition toward luck over competence. There were originally four players, but

one left thanks to Johnny's good fortune. When his coworkers downplay his accomplishments

by attributing them to luck, the fictional character Johnny feels insulted. His friends only

smile when Johnny shows frustration, thus underestimating his ability. "Johnny, of course,

said they would try to pin something like that on him and go on about his 'luck' whatever

happened, no matter how well he had been swimming," the narrative says. The other three

just grinned as he said it on page 132. As stated in the line, "Since Johnny was feeling

insulted by certain insinuations, they were only three to start with," (Brecht 132), this disdain

and undervaluing of Johnny's abilities caused him to feel insulted and upset. This scene
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emphasizes the detrimental effects of underrating someone's accomplishments and the

significance of appreciating and respecting individual efforts. The other players start to get

frustrated and jealous as the game goes on because Johnny keeps winning. According to a

line from the narrative, being heartless and refusing to offer partners a second opportunity

can help one avoid having them depend on them for the rest of their lives when gambling

(Brecht 134). They took advantage of Johnny's compassion for his partners by making him

look at countless cards, depriving him of sleep, and forcing him to eat rapidly. Despite the

abuse he got from his coworkers, Johnny persisted as he served them a feast to lighten the

gloomy atmosphere at the dinner table. However, the guys ate heartily but did not seem to

enjoy their meal (Brecht 136). The tragedy of the narrative occurs when the other three guys

throw Johnny off into the water from the railings, leaving him to drown without having a

chance to fight for his life (Brecht 139). This is even though Johnny has won numerous times

and is aware of how destroyed his peers feel. Because the fog was obstructing his vision,

Johnny was unable to scream for help in his final moments. When they got to the rails, he

wanted to shout, but he decided against it since he thought that blind people assumed no one

could hear them (Brecht 139). The fact that this finally results in his death emphasizes the

situation's severity and the fallout from the additional players' envy and animosity toward

Johnny's accomplishment. The moment serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the perils of

greed and the value of equality and compassion in interpersonal relationships. The tale

illustrates how excessive success may make people envious and resentful, which can have

detrimental effects on both the successful person and those around them.

One of the central elements of the story is the contrast between the four men who

gather to play poker. The first man, who is identified as "the landowner," represents the upper

class and the privileged position of those who own and control the means of production. He is

arrogant, condescending, and dismissive of the other players, whom he considers inferior and
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unworthy of his attention. He embodies the exploitative nature of capitalism, which allows a

small group of people to accumulate wealth and power at the expense of the majority. The

second man, who is described as "the factory owner," represents the middle class and the

emerging industrial economy. He is more pragmatic and calculating than the landowner, but

he shares the same basic values and goals. He sees himself as a self-made man who has

succeeded through hard work and intelligence, but he also recognizes that his success is

dependent on the exploitation of his workers. He is a more sympathetic figure than the

landowner, but he is still part of the same system of exploitation and domination. The third

man, who is identified as "the petty bourgeois," represents the lower middle class and the

small business owners who struggle to survive in a competitive market. He is resentful of the

other players, whom he sees as his rivals and enemies. He is also aware of his limitations and

his dependence on the other players for his livelihood. He represents the precarious position

of those who are caught between the upper and middle classes, and who often become

victims of their conflicts and struggles. The fourth man, who is called "the worker,"

represents the working class and the exploited masses who have no power or influence in the

capitalist system. He is the only character who speaks in the first person and who expresses

his point of view. He is resentful of the other players and their privileges, but he also

understands the limits of his power and the necessity of collective action to bring about

change. He represents the hope and the potential for resistance and revolution that exists in

the working class.

In conclusion, "Four Men and a Poker Game" by Bertolt Brecht is a powerful and

insightful critique of capitalism and the class struggle. Through the use of characterization,

dialogue, and plot, Brecht exposes the contradictions and conflicts that are inherent in the

capitalist system and how these conflicts shape the lives of individuals and society as a
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whole. The story serves as a reminder of the value of group effort and connection in the fight

for social justice and equality.

Works Cited

Brecht, Bertolt, et al. “Four Men and a Poker Game.” The Collected Short Stories of Bertolt

Brecht, Bloomsbury, London, 2015, pp. 131–140.

“The Psychology of Superstition.” The Psychology of Superstition,

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326330.