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48 pages 1 hour read

The Good Woman Of Setzuan

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1943

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Book Brief

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Bertolt Brecht

The Good Woman Of Setzuan

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1943
Book Details
Pages

136

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Setzuan • 20th Century

Publication Year

1943

Publisher

University of Minnesota Press

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15-18 years

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Super Short Summary

In The Good Woman of Setzuan, Shen Te, a kind-hearted prostitute in Setzuan, is visited by three gods seeking a good person. After showing her goodness by housing them, they reward her, and she buys a tobacco shop. Struggling with exploitation, she creates a harsher alter ego, Shui Ta, to protect her interests, raising questions about maintaining goodness in a capitalist society. Topics include exploitation and economic hardship.

Contemplative

Challenging

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.0

12,353 ratings

60%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Good Woman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht is a thought-provoking play praised for its critique of societal morals and capitalism. Reviewers commend its striking blend of fable and political commentary. Some find the narrative disjointed, and its characters more symbolic than relatable. Overall, it's celebrated for challenging audiences to reflect on ethical complexities.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Good Woman Of Setzuan?

A reader who would enjoy The Good Woman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht is someone interested in socially conscious literature and enjoys thought-provoking plays like Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett or The Crucible by Arthur Miller. They appreciate narratives that challenge societal norms and explore moral dilemmas.

4.0

12,353 ratings

60%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Character List

Wang

A water-seller who interacts directly with the audience and serves as a point of contact for the gods in Setzuan, navigating the challenges of survival amid poverty.

Three deities on a quest to find good people in the world, testing human charity while remaining detached from their struggles.

Shen Te is a kind-hearted woman initially working as a prostitute, who later creates a persona named Shui Ta to protect her interests and sustain her business.

The former owner of Shen Te’s tobacco shop, who uses her cunning to advance financially and becomes a trusted employee of Shui Ta.

A family that sheltered Shen Te when she moved to Setzuan, now seeking help from her; they become Shui Ta’s employees.

A beggar who becomes one of Shen Te’s first “customers,” later employed by Shui Ta’s factory.

A carpenter seeking payment for shelves built for the tobacco shop, who faces financial ruin due to unfulfilled debt.

The proprietor of Shen Te's tobacco shop, who demands a hefty rent, reflecting the societal barriers faced by the poor.

A figure of authority showing favoritism towards the wealthy while dismissing the grievances of the impoverished.

Benevolent friends of Shen Te, willing to save money to help her, even at the cost of their own well-being.

An unemployed pilot who struggles with personal ambition and morality, impacting Shen Te's life significantly.

Yang Sun’s mother, initially supportive of Sun’s ambitions but later appreciating the stability brought by Shui Ta.

A wealthy barber with affections for Shen Te, offering her financial support while having his own moments of conflict.

Book Details
Pages

136

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Setzuan • 20th Century

Publication Year

1943

Publisher

University of Minnesota Press

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15-18 years

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