Final answer:
Brecht's distance effects were intended to prevent traditional emotional engagement with the characters, instead promoting critical thinking about the performance. The correct answer is B. false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea behind Brecht's distance effects (also known as the alienation effect) was not to enhance the traditional form of engagement with the characters, which is based on empathy and identification, but rather to disrupt this emotional connection.
This technique is designed to make the audience step back and view the events on stage with a critical and analytical mind, thereby engaging with the social and political themes of the play instead of getting lost in the story and the characters.
Brecht wanted to prevent the audience from being emotionally manipulated, wishing instead for them to think about what they were seeing and draw real-world conclusions.
So, in response to the student's question, Brecht's distance effects sought to prevent the audience's normal engagement with the characters. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is B. false.