Good people in a capitalist system

It is possible for a person to be a good person and survive in a capitalist system. There are examples of people being good and still working within the capitalist system. A prime example of people being good is when you look at the old couple who own the carpet shop. ShenTeh goes to the shop of the old couple to buy a shawl. As she is trying on the shawl the old woman tells Shen Teh about the hole at the bottom on the garment. Disclosing that there was a hole to Shen Teh shows how the old woman was being nice and honest. She could have tried to sell the garment without telling Shen Teh about the hole. The old woman could have put the opportunity of making a profit over being honest about the damage to the shawl.


Another example of the old couple being good people is when they offer to give the 200 silver dollars to Shen Teh. They believe in her and are happy to assist someone that is so kind to others. When Shen Teh questions them about lending her money they say they rather give it to her than to her cousin. Capitalism thrives on doing good business. It is clear to the couple that where business in concerned Shen Teh cousin would be better suited to give the money to. With his shrewd business since and ability to gain the upper hand it makes more since to give the money to Shui Ta. Giving him the money would give the couple a higher chance of getting their money back. The couple chooses to give the money to Shen Teh not because of her head for business but for her heart for the people. If capitalism was a barren place where good people and actions are impossible to find then how does one explain the old couple. The old couple would not have been so kind and generous to Shen Teh if there was not a place of good people in a capitalist system.