Mother Courage scenes 1-3 questions B

B. What do you think about the way characters behave? Should the soldiers take Eiliff? Why doesn't Swiss Cheese do something to help? Is Mother Courage foolish to fall for the soldier's trick or is she just trying her best to survive?

There are a lot of contradictions that are already present. It seems that many people are benefiting and thus relying on war. That in itself is already contradictory because war is not something that is conventionally sought for good. Also,  it is apparent that Mother Courage cares deeply about her children. However, when it comes to the part where Eiliff is lured into enlisting, it almost seems as if she finds it more important to profit in business than to protect her son. When push came to shove, Mother Courage rather spent that small moment trying to sell a belt than using all her power to protect one of her sons.

The soldiers should not take Eiliff by force. However, even though it is not exactly clear as to how or why he is, Eiliff appears to be somewhat interested too. Also, it is only my perspective that the soldiers should not have taken Eiliff. In the soldiers standpoint they are rightfully taking the boy because mother courage benefits from the war and should provide something in return to the war even if that means losing her son.

The characters all seem to be unaware of the morally incorrect beliefs they hold. It is also strange because in the world of the characters that "incorrect" belief is actually just normal an necessary for survival not only for mother courage but for everyone. I think Brecht does this in order to show the audience a reflection of themselves in the "real" world.