There is obviously more than one debate within the resolution that it is impossible to be a good person and survive in a capitalist system. For instance, what does it mean to be “good?” If good is defined as having the characteristics of one who is unselfish and constantly giving, it is indeed impossible to be a good person and survive in a capitalist system. The entire play “The Good Person of Szechwan” is devoted to finding the last few good people in town. Shen Teh is reluctant to accept her description of “good” by the gods simply because she hesitated before letting them lodge at her place (page 10). Private property ownership, business, and competition is much more complex than something as easy as lending a stranger a bedroom, and mere hesitation for the act makes the main character question her “goodness.”
The play is clearly supporting the notion that it is impossible to be good and survive in a capitalist system. Shen Teh is just too selfless to succeed with her tobacco business. If the business were expected to succeed, she wouldn’t need to create an alter ego. The character of her “cousin” represents every quality necessary to survive the system. Shui Ta is symbolic of Shen Teh’s official entrance into the capitalist world. Before her cousin comes along, she gives rice to the hungry, lodging to the homeless, overpays the poor, etc. Shui Ta reveals the first bit of sternness that is hidden within Shen Teh. His first line in the play is a command to the family that is always at Shen Teh’s place, the family she was so kind and giving too before she put on her mask. “She wishes me to tell you that now I am here she can no longer do anything for you.” From that point forward, any attempts at being “good” could not relate to the success of the business, and would therefore only be seen coming from Shen Teh (page 24).
The play also represents the dwindling of good people once they enter the system. With more and more success, Shen Teh slowly stops coming around. The good side of her is lost beneath the mask of Shui Ta (or the complexity and competitiveness of the capitalist system). Shui Ta forgets the importance of good virtues as the business finds more opportunities.
Therefore, as represented by the double-character of Shen Teh, it is impossible to survive the capitalist system and be good, or continue to be good.
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I understand the point you are making here; the fact that she has to make an alter ego at all may question her "good" character, shouldn't the fact that she does come back be an indication that she does feel for these people? I believe that the fact that she is thinking at all about returning to her normal self during periods of the book attests to the fact that she does have good character deep down. And, not to mention, the gods did choose her to represent what is good about Szechwan.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the fact Shen Teh is the only person to allow the gods a place to stay helps her case in that she is a good person. She could have, like so many of her neighbors, barred them passage. Though it may have taken her some time to think about it, she ultimately shows her good personality by allowing them to come in. It isn't her fault that the towns people are mostly bad people, looking to take advantage of a kind person. She tries to remain helpful, but ultimately it is too much for her. And this is where your argument of what is good comes into play, albeit in an opposite manner than what you state above. Is Shen Teh a completely bad person because she tries to take control of the business she owns? Does she lose her inherently good nature because she wants to be able to feed herself? I do not think so; I believe she remains mostly good in a capitalist society.