Page 32 - The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand Vol.XIII-2021
P. 32
The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XIII – 2021
The quality of kind-hearted is also to be found in Shu Fu, the barber, the
richest man of Szechwan and admirer of Shen Te. The barber is deeply moved by
Shen Te’s kindness and would like to support her good deed, that the young woman
has incredibly offered free huts for the homeless people in Sezuan. Later, the huts
have been set up as a small tobacco factory. His bare check for Shen Te, in which
she could fill in any amount, shows particularly his generosity. Whether the barber
Shu Fu has speculated on Shen Te’s property is rather doubtful, as it is well-known
in the town through the family Shin, that Shen Te is ruined. The only malicious
behaviour of Shu Fu is that he has hit the hand of Wang with a curling tong – again
with unsolved reason for what he does not want to be responsible. The incident
throws a light on the inconsistence of his character like the contradiction of the
powerlessness, the defencelessness of the Gods and their influence on men: The
Gods have once given Shen Te some capital and leave her after that in serious
trouble. The disappointment of men is revealed in the complaint and demand of
Shen Te in the Song of the Defencelessness of the Gods and Good Men:
“[...] Die Guten “[...] Good men
Können sich nicht helfen, und die Can’t help themselves, and
Götter sind machtlos. the gods are powerless.
Warum haben die Götter nicht Tanks Why don’t the gods have
und Kanonen mines and cannon
Schlachtschiffe und Bombenflugzeuge Battleships, bombers,
und Mine and tanks?
Die Bösen zu fällen, die Guten zu Bring down the bad and
schonen? save the goods?
Es stünde wohl besser mit uns und It would be better for us and for
9
mit ihnen.” them (the gods)”.
(Brecht 1964: 65) (Digitalized by RevSocialist for Socialist Stories: 47
9 The last line of the english translation: The author of this article has changed the original english
translation from “Shouldn’t we all give thanks?” to “It would be better for us and for them”.
22 Bertolt Brecht: “The Good Person of Szechwan” – Anti-Capitalist, Anti-buddhist?
