‭Supreet Dodani‬

‭2K21/EN/40‬

‭The Modern era essentially demands a self-imposed binary out of a ‘good person’ for‬

‭them to survive. Do you agree? Give reasoned arguments for your answer with‬

‭reference to Brecht’s ‘‬‭The Good Person of Szechwan‬‭’.‬

‭Modernism was a period of great cultural and intellectual upheaval that began at the turn of‬

‭the twentieth century. This age saw a significant departure from the traditional norms and‬

‭moral certainties that had dominated Western thought for millennia. Scientific advancements‬

‭challenged religious doctrine, while the atrocities of World War I undermined the myth of‬

‭progress and human goodness. Against this foundation, playwrights such as Bertolt Brecht‬

‭struggled with the complications of finding "goodness" in a fractured and disillusioned world.‬

‭His play, "The Good Person of Szechwan," is a strong critique of traditional morality,‬

‭exposing the unstable character of goodness in the modern world.‬

‭Understanding Brecht's exploration of "goodness" can be related to his artistic philosophy,‬

‭Epic Theatre. Epic Theatre aimed to distance the audience from emotional involvement and‬

‭encourage critical reflection. Brecht achieved this through techniques like breaking the‬

‭fourth wall and employing songs with pointed social commentary. In "The Good Person of‬

‭Szechwan," Brecht used these approaches to highlight the limitations of traditional morality‬

‭and the difficulties of upholding pure virtue in the modern world.‬

‭The play introduces Shen Te, a prostitute with an unshakeable commitment to helping others.‬

‭Her inherent goodness is evident in her willingness to sacrifice her own well-being for others‬

‭in need. She readily offers shelter to the unemployed men and allows Mrs. Mi Tzu to exploit‬

‭her generosity. She offers Mrs. Mi Tzu money for rent and even lets her stay in the shop,‬

‭even though it creates a financial constraint. However, Shen Te's kindness and benevolence‬
‭becomes unsustainable. The men view her solely as a source of financial support, and Mrs.‬

‭Mi Tzu manipulates her kindness for personal gain. This relentless exploitation pushes Shen‬

‭Te to the brink of financial ruin.‬

‭Driven by desperation, Shen Te adopts a male persona, Shui Ta, to protect herself and her‬

‭resources. Shui Ta embodies the antithesis of Shen Te – he is ruthless, cunning, and‬

‭prioritises self-preservation. He establishes strict rules, demands repayment from those who‬

‭borrowed from Shen Te, and even profits from the very men who were initially dependent on‬

‭her generosity. While morally questionable, Shui Ta's actions allow Shen Te to survive and‬

‭even continue helping others financially, albeit indirectly.‬

‭The play thus problematizes the traditional binary of "good" versus "bad." Shen Te's struggle‬

‭highlights the difficulties of maintaining pure goodness in a world that thrives on‬

‭self-interest. The very act of survival requires a degree of rationality that clashes with the‬

‭traditional notions of morality. Brecht further emphasises this point through the play's‬

‭economic setting. The capitalist system within the play discourages acts of pure selflessness.‬

‭Shen Te's attempts to run a tobacco shop charitably lead to its financial ruin. The emphasis‬

‭on profit and personal gain leaves little room for acts of pure generosity. This critique‬

‭resonates with the disillusionment with capitalism that emerged during the Modern period.‬

‭Many Modernist writers, including Brecht, viewed capitalism as a system that fostered social‬

‭inequality and undermined traditional moral values.‬

‭However, "The Good Person of Szechwan" doesn't simply present a bleak outlook on the‬

‭possibility of goodness in the modern world. The play's ending leaves the audience grappling‬

‭with a question: can Shen Te reconcile the conflicting aspects of her personality – the‬

‭kindness of Shen Te and the pragmatism of Shui Ta? This open-endedness suggests that‬
‭navigating morality in the modern world might require a more nuanced approach. The play‬

‭challenges us to move beyond a binary understanding of "good" and "bad."‬

‭This concept aligns with the broader exploration of morality within the context of‬

‭Modernism. Many Modernist writers, disillusioned with traditional moral codes, sought to‬

‭explore the complexities of human behaviour. They recognized the influence of social,‬

‭economic, and psychological factors on individuals' actions, questioning the very notion of a‬

‭universal moral compass. In "The Good Person of Szechwan," Brecht echoes this sentiment.‬

‭Shen Te's behaviour is shaped not only by her inherent goodness but also by the harsh‬

‭realities of her economic situation. The play suggests that "goodness" in the modern world is‬

‭a more fluid concept, requiring a degree of adaptation and survivalism.‬

‭Furthermore, the modern era, while presenting challenges to traditional morality, has also‬

‭given rise to new avenues for fostering a sense of social responsibility and collective good.‬

‭Concepts of social justice, human rights, and environmental consciousness have gained‬

‭significant traction in recent decades. These advancements suggest an ongoing human effort‬

‭to define and strive for a more equitable and humane world, albeit in a nuanced and evolving‬

‭way.‬

‭In conclusion, Bertolt Brecht's "The Good Person of Szechwan" offers a compelling‬

‭exploration of the complexities of navigating "goodness" in the‬‭modern world. The play‬

‭challenges the notion of a singular "good person" and highlights the difficulties of‬

‭maintaining pure benevolence in a world driven by self-interest. However, it doesn't simply‬

‭present a dystopian view. The ending leaves room for a more nuanced understanding of‬

‭morality, suggesting that adaptation and pragmatism might be necessary while striving for‬

‭being a good human being. This aligns with the broader exploration of ethics within‬

‭Modernism, which emphasises the fluidity of "goodness." While the modern world presents‬
‭challenges to traditional morality, it also offers new avenues for social responsibility and‬

‭collective well-being. Ultimately, "The Good Person of Szechwan" serves as a powerful‬

‭reminder that the concept of "goodness" is constantly evolving alongside the complexities of‬

‭the human experience. Brecht encourages us to engage in critical reflection on what it means‬

‭to be "good" in a world that demands constant negotiation between our ideals and the‬

‭ever-changing realities around us.‬