The Good Person Of Szechwan (Student Editions) - Softcover

Brecht, Bertolt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140810007X ISBN 13: 9781408100073

Publisher: Methuen Drama, 2009

Synopsis

'Brecht's dark, dazzling world-view...makes an absolutely devastating impact. The play is fuelled by the brilliant perception that everyone requires such a dual or split personality to survive.' Evening Standard

Three gods come to earth hoping to discover one really good person. No one can be found until they meet Shen Te, a prostitute with a heart of gold. Rewarded by the gods, she gives up her profession and buys a tabacco shop but finds it is impossible to survive as a good person in a corrupt world without the support of her ruthless alter ego Shui Ta.

Brecht's parable of good and evil was first performed in 1943 and remains one of his most popular and frequently produced plays worldwide.

This Student Edition features an extensive
introduction and commentary that includes a plot summary, discussion of
the context, themes, characters, style and language as well as
questions for further study and notes on words and phrases in the text.
It is the perfect edition for students of theatre and literature.

About this title

Synopsis:

Brecht's famous parable, written in exile in 1939-41, shows that in an unjust society good can only survive by means of evil. In it, the gods come to earth in search of enough good people to justify their existence. They find Shen Teh, a good-hearted but penniless prostitute, and make her a gift that enables her to set up her own business. But her goodness brings ruin and she must disguise herself as a man in order to muster sufficient ruthlessness to survive. This Student Edition features John Willett's translation of the play and an extensive commentary for students and teachers. The commentary provides the historical, political and dramatic context; a summary of the plot; notes on the themes, characters, form and language of the play and a review of the play in performance. A list of further reading, questions for study and notes on words and phrases in the text provide students with all they need to understand and appreciate Brecht's play.

About the Author:

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) is acknowledged as one of the great dramatists whose plays, work with the Berliner Ensemble and writing have had a considerable influence on the theatre. His landmark plays include The Threepenny Opera and, while exiled from Germany and living in the USA, such masterpieces as Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and Her Children and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

About this edition

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 140810007X
• ISBN 13: 9781408100073
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 214
• Editor: Kuhn Tom