The Good Woman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht portrays the struggle to be good while living in a deceitful society, and the delicate balance needed to survive within it. Throughout the book, it clarifies that it is sinuous to be a good person like Shen Te. That is why she needs Shui Ta, her alter ego, a persona taken out of herself, to protect from the problems that come along. Brecht sends us a message that human beings are utilizing each other for his/her own sake, alive with abhorrence, and selfishness. In midst of all this, how long can goodness survive? Nevertheless, let’s explore the concept of goodness in The Good Woman of Setzuan.
Shen Te vs. Shui Ta
The play embodies the reality of the lives of the poor, struggling to stay afloat amidst the currents of industrialization and capitalism. Characters like Yang Sun, the family of eight, all does numerous things to reap benefits from Shen Te, the protagonist, for their own survival. In the midst among all, it gets really difficult for Shen Te to balance things for herself and her survival. Thus, she required her Alter ego Shui Ta to sustain from all these. The moment Shui Ta acts, he is considered bad as he gets tactful, tricky and strict but he is never dishonest. He gets bad for others as they lose the chance to take advantage from. Even when the Carpenter was not able to acquire his desired money from Shui Ta, he says,
“Call Shen Te, someone! She’s good“
So the moment people can’t reap benefits from you, you are no more good. Are you getting any hint regarding the reality through the attributes of people while exploring the concept of goodness in The Good Woman of Setzuan?
Having facing the landlady, the Carpenter, the family of eight who has moved in to her shop, Mrs. Shin, made it quite impossible for her to continue her good role as Shen Te as so arrived Shui Ta. The two sides of her probmalizes the notion of goodness which the Gods were looking for.
Duality in the Concept of Goodness
A question also arises, does the concept of goodness imply to the Gods as well? They expect goodness from Shen Te which is something more of good actions. When Wong tells about her great deeds of helping and feeding people despite of struggling herself, the Gods even regard feeding the family of 8 as small deed. How can a human do good beyond the level of a human being where we find the Gods in the text showing manly characteristics of getting tired due to travel, not getting enough sleep, etc? We do not even find them in gracious look. And, even Wong expects them to just look merely normal and not ferocious.
If the Gods would remove starvation, goodness would prevail more. The Gods couldn’t even recognise that Shen Te and Shui Ta are one and doesn’t even help Shen Te afront calling for help. Aren’t they expected at that moment to do good by helping her as we go on to explore the concept of goodness in The Good Woman of Setzuan?
Can goodness survive in poverty?
The Good Woman of Setzuan suggests that a society’s economic systems determine its morality. So the question arises how long can one stay good in poverty? Shen Te chose to be a prostitute for her survival or else she would be on the streets. This theme is introduced the prologue. When Shen Te complains to the gods― “But everything is so expensive, I don’t feel sure I can do it!.” The second god responds, ―”That‘s not our sphere. We never meddle with economics.”
Alter ego to survive!
In order to be a true capitalist capable of sustaining her survival, Shen Te must ―become Shui Ta, a male alter ego. The issue of gender comes to the forefront during Scene 4, when Yang Sun interacts with Shui Ta in a completely different manner than that in which he interacts with Shen Te. Does the presence of phallus and male ego makes woman subordinate and weak? Are only woman expected to be good so that it can be taken advantage of? Maybe that’s why Shen Te needed Shui Ta. For instance,
Shui Ta defends his cousin(himself) by saying, ―
“She is a human being, sir! And not devoid of common sense!“
However, Yang Sun answers, ―
“Shen Te is a woman: she is devoid of common sense. I only have to lay my hand on her shoulder, and church bells ring.“
This clearly shows how difficult it is to stay good as a woman. After listening to all this for how long can a person especially a woman continue to stay good? Maybe thats why the Gods suggested Wong to appreciate Shen Te’s goodness because,
“No one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand.”
Shui Ta manages as well as helps Yang Sun, whereas Shen Te melts and cannot save her even after knowing the truth of Yang Sun. She just becomes an emotional fool when reminded of the memories of the day it rained.
Conclusion
Even Wong whom we find as a neutral character, seems good but had to cheat even while selling water to the Gods for his survival. But he is also the one who defends the human beings infront of God by defending their excuses who do not wish to keep the Gods. He is a true worshipper to whom the Gods appear to check on Shen Te. And also to give us an insight on what’s happening. Can someone be completely good and yet survive?
Finally, the last scene also problemizes the concept of goodness in the text. The Book of rules are not to be changed as one has to be good no matter what. Even the Gods showed no interest to even lighten it. But when the Gods wave and leave and Shen Te cries for help that she needs Shui Ta atleast every week, the Gods do not say never at all, but “once in a month“.
So can we adopt our strict side and continue to be good for survival in this deceitful world, while ranging over the concept of goodness in The Good Woman of Setzuan? The question remains as the God themselve didn’t help someone who cried for help. On the other hand, Shen Te is expected to be good and help all at all times no matter what.