Mark Jeremiah
May 16, 2011
Eng 15
The Good Woman of Setzuan
This play is set in the Chinese province of Szechwan and follows a woman, Shen Te, a prostitute who was kind enough to open her house and shelter three gods. (Wong the water seller could find no one else hospitable enough to house them) As a reward Shen Te was granted a small fortune and opened her own tobacco shop, given as a gift but also a test to see if Shen Te was truly good or if her hospitality was a mere fluke. Even though Shen Te was a former prostitute, a "profession" seen as morally reprehensible, she was a compassionate person. (which in itself is ironic since the only person 'good' enough to shelter the gods, A prostitute, is seen culturally and morally as a 'bad' person) She was so nice and good that people kept taking advantage of her and her kindness by loitering in and around her shop, causing crime and drama so much so that the police start watching her store as a place of interest. That's when Shen Teh introduced her "cousin"- her male alter ego Shui Ta as a means to take back control of her life. I was a little bit offended that Bertolt Brecht, the playwright, decided to use this sexist undertone in this story. By using the strong, strict, alter ego Shui Ta, sends the clear message that Brecht felt that a female character wasn't strong willed enough...unless acting like a man, to control her life.
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