Good man from Sezuan plot. Epic Theater B

Main city Sichuan province, which summarizes all places in the globe and any time at which man exploits man is the place and time of the play.

Prologue. For two thousand years now, the cry has not stopped: it cannot go on like this! No one in this world is able to be kind! And the worried gods decided: the world can remain as it is, if there are enough people who can live worthy of a man life. And to test this, the three most prominent gods descend to earth. Perhaps the water carrier Wang, who was the first to meet them and treat them with water (by the way, he is the only one in Sichuan who knows that they are gods), is a worthy person? But his mug, the gods noticed, had a double bottom. A good water carrier is a scammer! The simplest test of the first virtue - hospitality - upsets them: in none of the rich houses: neither at Mr. Fo's, nor at Mr. Chen's, nor at the widow Su's - Wang can find accommodation for them. There is only one thing left: to turn to the prostitute Shen De, after all, she cannot refuse anyone. And the gods spend the night with the only kind person, and in the morning, saying goodbye, they leave Shen De an order to remain as kind, as well as a good payment for the night: after all, how to be kind when everything is so expensive!

I. The gods left Shen De a thousand silver dollars, and with them she bought herself a small tobacco shop. But how many people in need of help are close to those who are lucky: the former owner of the shop and the former owners of Shen De - husband and wife, her lame brother and pregnant daughter-in-law, nephew and niece, old grandfather and boy - and everyone needs a roof over their heads and food. “Save the little boat / Immediately goes to the bottom. / After all, there are too many drowning / Greedily grabbed the sides.

And here the carpenter demands a hundred silver dollars, which the former mistress did not pay him for the shelves, and the landlady needs recommendations and a guarantee for the not very respectable Shen De. “My cousin will vouch for me,” she says. “And he will pay for the shelves.”

II. And the next morning, Shoi Da, Shen De's cousin, appears in the tobacco shop. Resolutely chasing away unlucky relatives, skillfully forcing the carpenter to take only twenty silver dollars, Prudently making friends with the policeman, he settles the affairs of his too-kind cousin.

III. And in the evening in the city park, Shen De meets an unemployed pilot Song. A pilot without a plane, a postal pilot without mail. What is he to do in the world, even if he read all the books about flying in a Beijing school, even if he knows how to land an airplane on the ground, as if it were his own ass? He is like a crane with a broken wing, and there is nothing for him to do on earth. The rope is ready, and there are as many trees in the park as you like. But Shen De does not let him hang himself. To live without hope is to do evil. Hopeless is the song of a water carrier selling water in the rain: “Thunder rumbles and it rains, / Well, I sell water, / But water is not sold / And it is not drunk in any. / I shout: “Buy some water!” / But nobody buys. / In my pocket for this water / Nothing gets in! / Buy some water, dogs!”

Yi Shen De buys a mug of water for her beloved Yang Song.

IV. Returning after a night spent with his beloved, Shen De sees the morning city for the first time, cheerful and giving fun. People are kind today. The old carpet merchants from the shop across the street lend dear Shen De two hundred silver dollars, enough to pay off the landlady for six months. Nothing is difficult for a person who loves and hopes. And when Song's mother, Ms. Yang, says that for a huge amount of five hundred silver dollars, her son was promised a place, she happily gives her the money received from the old people. But where to get another three hundred? There is only one way out - to turn to Shoi Da. Yes, he is too cruel and cunning. But a pilot must fly!

Sideshows. Shen De enters, holding the mask and costume of Shoi Da, and sings “The Song of the Helplessness of Gods and Good People”: “The good people in our country / They cannot remain kind. / To get a spoon to a cup, / You need cruelty. / The good ones are helpless, and the gods are powerless. / Why don't the gods say there, on the ether, / What time to give all kind and good / The opportunity to live in a good, kind world?

V. Clever and prudent Shoy Da, whose eyes are not blinded by love, sees deceit. Yang Sun is not afraid of cruelty and meanness: even if the place promised to him is someone else's, and the pilot who is fired from it, big family, let Shen De part with the shop, except for which she has nothing, and let the old people lose their two hundred dollars and lose their housing, if only to get their way. Such a one cannot be trusted, and Shoy Da seeks support in a rich barber who is ready to marry Shen De. But the mind is powerless where love is at work, and Shen De leaves with Sun: “I want to leave with the one I love, / I don’t want to think about whether it’s good. / I don't want to know if he loves me. / I want to leave with the one I love.”

VI. A small cheap restaurant in the suburbs is preparing for the wedding of Yang Song and Shen De. Bride in wedding dress, groom in tuxedo. But the ceremony still does not begin, and the bonza looks at his watch - the groom and his mother are waiting for Shoi Da, who should bring three hundred silver dollars. Yang Sun sings the "Song of Saint Never's Day": "On this day, evil is taken by the throat, / On this day, all the poor are lucky, / Both the master and the laborer / March together to the tavern / On Saint Never's day / The skinny one drinks at the fat one's house . / We can no longer wait. / That's why they should give us, / People of hard work, / Saint Never Day, / Saint Never Day, / Day when we will rest.

“He will never come again,” Ms. Yang says. Three are sitting and two of them are looking at the door.

VII. Shen De's meager possessions are on a cart near the tobacco shop - the shop had to be sold in order to repay the debt to the old people. The barber Shu Fu is ready to help: he will give his barracks for the poor, whom Shen De helps (you can’t keep goods there anyway - it’s too damp), and write out a check. And Shen De is happy: she felt in herself a future son - a pilot, "a new conqueror / Inaccessible mountains and unknown regions!" But how to protect him from the cruelty of this world? She sees little son a carpenter who is looking for food in a garbage can, and swears that he will not rest until he saves his son, at least his one. It's time to be your cousin again.

Mr. Shoi Da announces to the audience that his cousin will not leave them without help in the future, but from now on, the distribution of food without reciprocal services stops, and in the houses of Mr. Shu Fu there will be one who agrees to work for Shen De.

VIII. The tobacco factory that Shoi Da set up in the barracks is staffed by men, women and children. The overseer - and cruel - here is Yang Sun: he is not at all sad about the change of fate and shows that he is ready for anything for the interests of the company. But where is Shen De? Where a kind person? Where is the one who many months ago on a rainy day in a moment of joy bought a mug of water from a water carrier? Where is she and her future child about which she told the water carrier? Yi Sun would also like to know this: if his ex-fiancee was pregnant, then he, as the father of the child, can also claim the position of the owner. And here, by the way, in the knot of her dress. Has not the cruel cousin killed the unfortunate woman? The police come to the house. Mr. Shoi Da is facing trial.

IX. In the courtroom, Shen De's friends (Wai's water carrier, old couple, grandfather and niece) and Shoi Da's partners (Mr. Shu Fu and the landlady) are waiting for the hearing to begin. At the sight of the judges entering the hall, Shoi Da faints - these are the gods. The gods are by no means omniscient: under the mask and costume of Shoi Da, they do not recognize Shen De. And only when, unable to withstand the accusations of the good and the intercession of the evil, Shoi Da takes off his mask and tears off his clothes, the gods see with horror that their mission has failed: their good man and the evil and callous Shoi Da are one person. It is not possible in this world to be kind to others and at the same time to yourself, you cannot save others and not destroy yourself, you cannot make everyone happy and yourself with everyone together! But the gods have no time to understand such complexities. Is it possible to refuse the commandments? No never! Recognize that the world must be changed? How? By whom? No, everything is okay. And they reassure people: “Shen De did not die, she was only hidden. There is a good man among you." And to Shen De’s desperate cry: “But I need a cousin,” they hastily answer: “But not too often!” And while Shen De stretches out his hands to them in despair, they, smiling and nodding, disappear above.

Epilogue. The final monologue of the actor in front of the public: “Oh, my venerable public! The end is unimportant. This I know. / In our hands the most beautiful fairy tale suddenly got a bitter denouement. / The curtain is lowered, and we stand in embarrassment - we have not found the issues of resolution. / So what's the deal? We are not looking for benefits, / So, there must be some right way out? / You can’t imagine for money - what! Another hero? What if the world is different? / Maybe other gods are needed here? Or no gods at all? I am silent in anxiety. / So help us! Correct the trouble - and direct your thought and mind here. / Try to find good for good - good ways. / Bad ending - discarded in advance. / He must, must, must be good!”

100 r first order bonus

Choose the type of work Graduate work Course work Abstract Master's thesis Report on practice Article Report Review Test Monograph Problem solving Business plan Answers to questions creative work Essay Drawing Compositions Translation Presentations Typing Other Increasing the uniqueness of the text Candidate's thesis Laboratory work Help online

Ask for a price

Bertolt Brecht was an outstanding reformer of the Western theater, he created new type drama and a new theory, which he called "epic".

What was the essence of Brecht's theory? As conceived by the author, it was supposed to be a drama in which the main role was assigned not to the action, which was the basis of the "classical" theater, but to the story (hence the name "epic"). In the process of such a story, the scene had to remain just a scene, and not a "believable" imitation of life, a character - a role played by an actor (as opposed to the traditional practice of "reincarnating" an actor into a hero), depicted - exclusively as a stage sketch, specially freed from illusion "similarity" of life.

In an effort to recreate the "story", Brecht replaced the classical division of the drama into actions and acts with a chronicle composition, according to which the plot of the play was created by chronologically interconnected paintings. In addition, a variety of comments were introduced into the "epic drama", which also brought it closer to the "story": headlines that described the content of the paintings; songs ("zongs"), which additionally explained what was happening on stage; actors' appeals to the public; inscriptions designed on the screen, etc.

One of the brightest artistic discoveries was the “alienation effect”. Its essence was that the everyday phenomenon was presented in a new light and now presented as amazing, torn from the ordinary plan of life, “alien”. It also pushed the viewer to analyze what was shown at stake. The “alienation effect” was the core that permeated all levels of the “epic drama”: the plot, the system of images, artistic details, language, etc., up to the scenery, the peculiarities of acting technique and stage lighting.

1). The play "Caucasian Chalk Circle" (1945) by B. Brecht is rightfully included in the treasury of world dramatic classics, its texts are cited as aphorisms. In essence and meaning, the “Caucasian Chalk Circle” is a parable that teaches us goodness and love through the example of enmity and war. Yes, but people are not always, but rather, very rarely ready to learn something, just as the heroes of the play are not ready for this.

In The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Brecht used a plot close to the biblical tradition of Solomon's court, the plot of an old oriental legend about a lawsuit between two women because of a child and about a wise judge who, in a cunning way, recognized the real mother. But he introduced a fundamental innovation into this story: the judge rejects the claims of the real blood mother, indifferent to the child and pursuing only selfish goals, and awards little Mikhel to a “stranger” woman who saved his life and selflessly looked after him, being exposed to dangers and hardships. It is not a matter of consanguinity, but in the interests of the child and society, that is, which of the two applicants - the natural or named mother - will be the best mother to Mikhel, will lovingly and intelligently raise him.

This parable about the lawsuit for Mikhel, about the fate of Atzdak and his chalk circle is closely connected with another plot motif, deployed in the prologue, with another dispute - two Caucasian collective farms about a valley that belonged to one of them, but due to special circumstances of wartime, turned out to be cultivated by another.

Thus, from two "private" plots, a generalizing conclusion of great historical and socio-ethical significance grows quite organically, the apotheosis of socialist humanism and the socialist social system is born.

The "Caucasian chalk circle" in Brecht's work was perhaps the most perfect and consistent embodiment of the principles of the "epic theater". Everything that happens in this play is a story. Not in the conventional sense that it is, they say, a drama enriched narrative techniques story, but in the most direct and precise sense of the word - the story of the singer Arkady Chkheidze, sitting on the proscenium and expounding to the Caucasian collective farmers ancient history about the chalk circle. In this play, Brecht, having completed his searches in this direction, created a special figure of a "narrator", or rather, a singer, from whose lips everything that the viewer sees on stage comes out. Actually, the narrator here is not one singer, but a whole “epic group”: the singer plus the musicians, who also play the role of the choir. stage action and the dialogue here is not an illustration to the story, but the very essence of the story from beginning to end, but a stage story, that is, one in which the means and possibilities of the epic are multiplied by the expressiveness and power of the impact of the drama.

The stage illusion in The Caucasian Chalk Circle is impossible, not only because Brecht uses a lot of tricks that destroy the illusion, but also because the viewer, starting from the prologue, is inspired by consciousness: there is no real people, but the characters of the story, figures created by the imagination and art of the singer, subject to his creative will. All the pictorial possibilities of the epic, inaccessible to traditional drama, are available to the singer. He knows and talks about what they don't know or can't say characters. When, after a long separation, the maid Grusha and her betrothed, the soldier Simon, meet under circumstances that seem to indicate Grusha's infidelity, and both fall silent in confusion, unable to express their feelings that excite them, then the singer, who has the universal knowledge of the epic poet, from their name delivers rhythmic monologues stating what they thought but didn't say.

On the other side, dramatic element in the play is not in absolute dependence and subordination to the epic element. The power of the singer over the characters in the play is limited by the natural logic of their relationship. They are created by him as a narrator, by his author's imagination, therefore, they exist in his mind, but he does not exist in their minds. They don't seem to hear or see him, his monologues and "songs" have no effect on their stage behavior. Case in point in this sense: when the singer addresses a question to his heroine, Grusha, it is not she who answers him, but, as it were, himself, that is, the members of his “epic group”, the musicians:

Questions in this case are addressed to Grusha only conditionally. In fact, these questions and answers are only a form of reflection of the singer about his heroine, about the essence of the image born of his imagination.

The play "Caucasian Chalk Circle" belongs to the most famous plays-parables of Brecht. It is characterized by the pathos of ethical quests, the desire to find a person in whom spiritual greatness and kindness.

Although everything in the play is classically traditional: the plot is not new (Brecht himself had already used it in the short story The Augsburg Chalk Circle). But this play is innovative, and its originality is closely connected with the main principle of Brecht's realism - "alienation". Malice, envy, greed, conformity constitute the motionless environment of life, its flesh. But for Brecht, this is only an appearance. The monolith of evil is extremely fragile in the play. All life seems to be permeated with streams of human light. The element of light is in the very fact of the existence of the human mind and the ethical principle.

2) "A kind person from Sichuan." Ideological and philosophical content

The play-parable "A Kind Man from Sichuan" (1941) is dedicated to the affirmation of the eternal and innate quality of a person - kindness. The main character of the play, Shen De, seems to radiate goodness, and this radiance is not caused by any external impulses, it is immanent. Brecht the playwright inherits in this humanistic tradition enlighteners. We see Brecht's connection with fabulous tradition And folk legends. Shen De resembles Cinderella, and the gods who reward the girl for her kindness are a beggar fairy from the same fairy tale. But Brecht interprets traditional material in an innovative way.

Brecht believes that kindness is not always rewarded with a fabulous triumph. The playwright introduces social circumstances into the fairy tale and parable. China, depicted in the parable, is devoid of authenticity at first glance, it is simply "a certain kingdom, a certain state." But this state is capitalist. And the circumstances of Shen De's life are the circumstances of life at the bottom of a bourgeois city. Brecht shows that on this day, the fairy laws that rewarded Cinderella cease to operate. The bourgeois climate is ruinous for the best human qualities that arose long before capitalism; Brecht sees bourgeois ethics as a profound regression. Equally disastrous for Shen De is love.

Shen De embodies the ideal norm of behavior in the play. Shoi Yes, on the contrary, is guided only by soberly understood own interests. Shen De agrees with many of Shoi Da's thoughts and actions, she saw that only in the form of Shoi Da she can really exist. The need to protect her son in a world of hardened and vile people, indifferent to each other, proves to her that Shoi Da is right. Seeing how the boy is looking for food in the garbage can, she vows that she will ensure the future of her son, even in the most brutal struggle.

Two skins main character- this is a vivid stage "alienation", this is a clear demonstration of dualism human soul. But this is also a condemnation of dualism, for the struggle between good and evil in man is, according to Brecht, only a product of "bad times." The playwright clearly proves that evil in principle - foreign body in a person that the evil Shoi Da is just a protective mask, and not the true face of the heroine. Shen De never becomes really evil, cannot corrode his spiritual purity and gentleness.

The content of the parable leads the reader not only to the idea of ​​the pernicious atmosphere of the bourgeois world. This idea, according to Brecht, is no longer sufficient for the new theatre. The playwright makes you think about ways to overcome evil. The gods and Shen De tend to compromise in the play, as if they cannot overcome the inertia of the thinking of their environment. It is curious that the gods, in essence, recommend Shen De the same recipe that Makhit acted in The Threepenny Romance, robbing warehouses and selling goods at a cheap price to poor shop owners, thereby saving them from starvation. But the plot ending of the parable does not coincide with the playwright's commentary. The epilogue in a new way deepens and illuminates the problems of the play, proves the profound effectiveness of the "epic theater". The reader and the viewer turn out to be much more vigilant than the gods and Shen De, who did not understand why great kindness interferes with her.

The playwright seems to suggest a decision in the finale: to live selflessly is good, but not enough; the main thing for people is to live wisely. And that means building intelligent world, a world without exploitation, a world of freedom.

Bertolt Brecht

Good man from Sichuan

Parabolic play

In collaboration with R. Berlau and M. Steffin

Translation by E. Ionova and Y. Yuzovsky

Poems translated by Boris Slutsky

ﾵTHE PERSONSﾧ

Van is a water carrier.

Three gods.

Yang Song is an unemployed pilot.

Ms. Yang is his mother.

Widow Shin.

Family of eight.

Carpenter Ling To.

Mi Ju's landlady.

Police officer.

Carpet merchant.

His wife.

Old prostitute.

Barber Shu Fu.

Waiter.

Unemployed.

Passers-by in the prologue.

Location: the semi-Europeanized capital of Sichuan.

Sichuan province, which summarized all the places on the globe where

Man exploits man, now he does not belong to such places.

ﾵPROLOGUEﾧ

A street in the main city of Sichuan. Evening. The water carrier Wang is introduced to the public.

Van. I am a local water carrier - I sell water in the capital of Sichuan. Hard craft! If there is not enough water, you have to go far for it. And if there is a lot of it, earnings are small. In general, there is great poverty in our province. Everyone says that if anyone else is able to help us, it's the gods. And now imagine my joy when a cattle dealer I know - he travels a lot - told me that several of our most prominent gods are already on their way and can be expected in Sichuan any hour. Heaven is said to be greatly disturbed by the multitude of complaints that come to it. This is the third day I have been waiting here at the city gates, especially in the evening, in order to be the first to greet guests. I won't be able to do it later. They will be surrounded by high-ranking gentlemen, then try to get through to them. How would you know them? They probably won't show up together. Most likely one at a time, so as not to draw too much attention to yourself. These don't look like gods, they're coming home from work. (Looks attentively at the workers passing by.) Their shoulders are bent from the weights they carry. And this one? What kind of god is he - fingers in ink. At most - an employee of a cement plant. Even those two gentlemen...

Two men pass by.

And those, in my opinion, are not gods. They have a cruel expression on their faces, like people who are used to beating, and the gods do not need this. And there are three! As if it's something else. Well-fed, not the slightest sign of any occupation, shoes in the dust, which means they came from afar. They are they! O wise ones, have me! (Falls down.)

The first god (joyfully). Are we waiting here?

Van (gives them a drink). A long time ago. But only I knew about your arrival.

First god. We need an overnight stay. Do you know where we can settle down?

Van. Where? Everywhere! The whole city is at your disposal, O wise ones! Where would you like?

The gods look at each other meaningfully.

First god. At least in the nearest house, my son! Let's try in the nearest time!

Van. It only embarrasses me that I will incur the wrath of those in power if I give special preference to one of them.

First god. That is why we order you: start with the nearest!

Van. Mr. Fo lives there! Wait a minute. (Running up to the house and knocking on the door.)

The door opens, but Van is seen to be refused.

(Returns timidly.) What a failure! Mr. Fo, unfortunately, is not at home, and the servants do not dare to do anything without his order, the owner is very strict! Well, he will be furious when he finds out who was not accepted in his house, right?

Gods (smiling). Undoubtedly.

Van. One more minute! The house next door belongs to Su's widow. She will be overjoyed. (Runs towards the house, but apparently gets rejected again.) I'll do better opposite. The widow says that she has only one small room, and that one is not in order. Now I will turn to Mr. Chen.

Second god. A small room is enough for us. Say we'll take it.

Van. Even if it's not tidy, even if it's full of spiders?

Second god. Trivia! Where there are spiders, there are few flies.

The third god (friendly, Vanu). Go to Mr. Chen or somewhere else, my son, spiders, I confess, I do not like it.

Van again knocks on a door, and they let him in.

Van (returning to the gods). Mr. Chen is in despair, his house is full of relatives, and he does not dare to appear before your eyes, wise ones. Between us, I think there are bad people and he doesn't want you to see them. He fears your wrath. That's the whole point.

Third God. Are we that scary?

Van. Only for bad people, right? It is known that the inhabitants of the province of Kwan have been suffering from floods for decades - God's punishment!

Second god. Here's how? Why?

Van. Yes, because they are all atheists.

Second god. Nonsense! Just because they didn't fix the dam.

First god. Shh! (Vanu). Do you still hope, my son?

Van. How can you even ask such a thing? It is worth passing one more house, and I will find accommodation for you. Everyone licks his fingers in anticipation that he will receive you. Unfortunate coincidence, you know? I'm running! (Walks away slowly and stops hesitantly in the middle of the street.)

Second god. What did I say?

Third God. Still, I think it's just a coincidence.

Second god. Chance in Shun, Chance in Kwan and Chance in Sichuan. There is no more fear of God on earth - this is the truth that you are afraid to face. Admit that our mission failed!

First god. We may yet come across a kind person. Any minute. We must not retreat immediately.

Third God. The decree said: the world can remain as it is if there are enough people worthy of the title of man. The water carrier is such a person himself, unless I am deceived. (Goes up to Wang, who is still scurrying in hesitation.)

Second god. He is being deceived. When the water carrier gave us a drink from his mug, I noticed something. Here is the mug. (Shows it to the first god.)

First god. Double bottom.

Second god. Scammer!

First god. Okay, he's out. Well, what is it if one is rotten? We will meet those who are able to live a decent human life. We must find! For two millennia the cry has not stopped - it cannot go on like this! No one in this world is able to be kind! We must finally point to people who can follow our commandments.

The third god (Vanu). Maybe it's very difficult to find a shelter?

Van. Just not for you! Have mercy! My fault that it was not immediately found - I'm looking badly.

Third God. This is definitely not the point. (Comes back.)

Van. They already guess. (To a passer-by.) Honorable sir, I'm sorry to address you, but the three most important gods, whose imminent arrival for many years all Sichuan has been talking about, have now actually arrived and need housing. Do not leave! See for yourself! One look is enough! For God's sake, help me out! A lucky chance has fallen to your lot - take advantage of it! Offer shelter to the gods before someone intercepts them - they will agree.

The passerby continues on his way.

(Turns to another passer-by.) Most respected, did you hear? Maybe you have an apartment? Not necessarily - luxurious chambers. Most importantly, good intentions.

Second passerby. How do I know what kind of gods your gods are? Who knows who you'll let go. (Goes into a tobacco shop.)

Van (runs back to the gods). He will surely agree. (Notices his mug on the ground, looks confusedly at the gods, picks it up and runs away again.)

First god. This doesn't sound very encouraging.

Van (to a passer-by, when he leaves the shop). Well, what about housing?

Second passerby. How do you know, maybe I myself live in a hotel?

First god. He won't find anything. We will also have to cross out Sichuan.

Van. These are the three main gods! True true! The statues in the temples are very similar to them. If you waste no time and approach and invite them, perhaps they will still agree.

The second passer-by (laughing). Well, it must be the swindlers whom you want to attach. (Exits.)

Van (scolds him after him). Crooked speculator! You are not afraid of God! You will be roasted in boiling tar for your insensibility! The gods are spitting on you! But you will regret it! Until the fourth generation you will pay! The whole of Sichuan was covered in shame! (Pause.) Now only the prostitute Shen De remains, this one can't say no. (Calls.) Shen De!

Shen De looks out from the top window.

They are already here, I cannot find shelter for them. Can you host them for one night?

Shen De. I'm afraid not, Wang. I'm waiting for a guest. But is it possible that you do not find a home for them?

Van. Now is not the time to talk about it. The whole of Sichuan is a pile of shit.

Shen De. I would have to hide from him when he shows up. Maybe he'll leave then. He also wanted to take a walk with me.

Van. For now, we'd go upstairs, huh?

Shen De. Only you must not speak loudly. Can you be honest with them?

Van. God forbid! They must not know anything about your trade. No, we'd better wait downstairs. But won't you leave with him?

Shen De. My affairs are bad, and if I do not pay the rent by tomorrow morning, they will throw me out.

Van. At such a moment it is not good to be prudent.

Shen De. Don't know. Unfortunately, the stomach rumbles even when the emperor has a birthday. Okay, I'll take them.

It can be seen that she puts out the light.

First god. It looks like nothing happened.

The gods approach Van.

Van (seeing the gods behind him, shudders). The apartment is secured. (Wipes sweat.)

Gods. Yes? In that case, let's go.

Van. Take your time. Wait a little. The room is being tidied up.

Third God. Then we sit down and wait.

Van. Seems like there's too much big move. We'd better go to the other side.

Second god. We are willing to look at people. Actually, for this purpose we came here.

Van. Yes, but it's drafty in here.

Second god. Oh, we are hardened people.

Van. But perhaps you would like me to show you Sichuan at night? Shall we take a little walk?

Third God. We've walked enough today. (Smiling.) But if you want us to leave here, you just need to tell us.

Are you satisfied now?

They sit on the porch of one of the houses.

Van (sinks to the ground at some distance from them; gathering his courage). You will live with a single girl. She best person in Sichuan.

Third God. That's good!

Wang (to the public). When I picked up the mug, they looked at me so strangely. Have you noticed? I don't dare to look them in the eye anymore.

Third God. You are very tired.

Van. A little. From running.

First god. What, people here are very hard to live?

Van. Good - yes.

First god (seriously). You too?

Van. I know what you mean. I am bad. But it's not easy for me either.

Meanwhile, a man appeared in front of Shen De's house. He whistles several times

and Wang shudders every time.

The third god (quietly, Vanu). It seems that he did not wait and left.

Van (confused). Yes Yes. (Gets up and runs to the square, leaving the jug and mug.)

At this time, the following happened: the man who was waiting on the street left, and Shen De, leaving the house and quietly calling: "Wan," walks along the street in search of Wang. AND

now when Wang softly calls "Shen De", he gets no answer.

She deceived me. She left to get money for an apartment, and I have no lodging for the wisest. They are tired and waiting. I can't go back to them and say: there's nothing! My own house- a drainpipe, there can be no question of it. In addition, the gods certainly do not want to live with a person whose fraudulent deeds are discovered. I won't go back to them for anything in the world. But my dishes were there. What to do? I dare not take it. Rather, I will leave the city and hide from their eyes, because I have not been able to help those whom I worship. (Runs away.)

But as soon as he disappeared, Shen De returned, looking for him on the other side of the street.

and sees the gods.

Shen De. Are you the wise ones? My name is Shen De. I will be glad if you are satisfied with my closet.

Third God. But where did the aqueduct go?

Shen De. We probably missed him.

First god. He must have thought you weren't coming and was afraid to come back to us.

Third god (raises the mug and jug). We'll leave it to you. He still needs them.

Led by Shen De, the gods go to the house. Darkens and brightens again. At dawn, the gods come out of the door of the house. They are led by Shen De, lighting the way with a lamp.

They say goodbye.

First god. Dear Shen De, thank you for your hospitality. We will not forget that it was you who sheltered us. Return the water carrier to his dishes and convey our gratitude for showing us a kind person.

Shen De. I'm not kind. To tell you the truth, when Wang asked me to give you shelter, I hesitated.

First god. Hesitation is not a problem if it is overcome. Know that you gave us something more than an overnight stay. Many, and even we, the gods, have doubts whether good people still exist in the world. In order to find out, we undertook our journey. We continue it with joy, because one has already been found. Goodbye!

Shen De. Stop, wise ones, I'm not at all sure that I'm kind. True, I would like to be like that, but then what about the room fee? I confess to you: in order to live, I sell myself. But even this way I cannot exist, too many people have to do the same. And now I'm ready for anything, but who is not ready for anything? Of course, I would gladly keep the commandments - honoring elders and refraining from lying. It would be a joy for me not to wish my neighbor's house, to be faithful to one man is pleasant. I would also not like to use anyone and offend the defenseless. But how to do it? Even breaking the commandments, barely manages to live.

First god. All this, Shen De, is nothing but the doubts of a good man.

Third God. Farewell, Shen De! Say hello to the water carrier. He was a good friend to us.

Second god. I'm afraid he had a hard time.

Third God. Be happy!

First god. Above all, stay kind, Shen De! Goodbye!

They turn to leave, nod goodbye to her.

Shen De (frightened). But I'm not sure of myself, wise ones! How can I be kind when everything is so expensive?

Second god. Here, unfortunately, we are powerless. We cannot interfere in economic matters.

Third God. Stop! Wait a minute! If she had some means, it would perhaps be easier for her to remain kind.

Second god. We have no right to give her anything. We won't be able to explain it up there.

First god. Why not?

They whisper, discussing animatedly.

(Shen De, embarrassed.) We heard that you have nothing to pay for the room. We are not poor people and are able to thank for the overnight stay. Here! (Gives her money.) Just don't tell anyone that we gave you money. And then, perhaps, they will not interpret it that way.

Second god. Still would!

Third God. No, it's allowed. We didn't break anything if we paid for the overnight stay. The decision says nothing about this. So, goodbye!

The gods leave quickly.

Small tobacco shop.

The shop is not yet fully furnished and is not open.

Shen De (to the public). It's been three days since the gods left. They said they were paying me to stay overnight. But when I looked at what they gave me, I saw more than a thousand silver dollars. I bought a tobacco shop with this money. Yesterday I moved here and I hope that I can do a lot of good. For example, Ms. Shin, the former owner of the shop. Already yesterday she came to ask me for rice for her children. So today, I see her walking across the square with her pot.

Shin enters. The women bow to each other.

Shen De. Good afternoon, Miss Shin.

Shin. Good afternoon, Mademoiselle Shen De. How do you feel in your new home?

Shen De. Fine. How did your kids spend the night?

Shin. In someone else's house! If only this barracks could be called home. The younger one is coughing.

Shen De. Badly.

Shin. You cannot understand what is bad, because you live well. But you will also have to experience something here, in this shop. Don't forget - this is a quarter of poverty.

Shen De. Yes, but at lunchtime, as you told me, cement factory workers come in?

Shin. Besides them, no one buys anything, not even the neighbors.

Shen De. When you ceded the shop to me, you didn't say a word about it.

Shin. Only your reproaches are missing! It is not enough for you that you deprived my children of shelter! And then you irritate with talk about a shop and a beggarly quarter. How much is possible! .. (Crying.)

Shen De (quickly). I'll bring you rice now.

Shin. I would also like to borrow some money.

Shen De (while she pours rice into the pot). I can't do that, I haven't gotten anything yet.

Shin. I need money. What to live? You took everything from me and still want to finish it off. I'll leave my children on your doorstep, bloodsucker! (He snatches the pot out of Shen De's hands.)

Shen De. Don't get angry, scatter the rice!

Enter an elderly couple and a poorly dressed man.

Woman. My dear Shen De, we heard that you are lucky. You have become business woman! Imagine, we are without a roof over our heads. Our tobacco shop had to close. We were wondering if we could spend at least one night at your place. Do you remember my nephew? Here it is, we'll never part.

Nephew (looking around the room). Nice shop!

Shin. What are these people?

Shen De. When I came from the village to the city, they were my first landlords. (To the public.) When the pennies that were with me ran out, they kicked me out into the street. They are probably afraid that I will refuse them. Poor things.

They are homeless

Without happiness, without share.

They need support

How can you refuse them?

(Greetings to those who have come.) Please, please! I will gladly accept you. True, I have only a tiny room behind the shop.

Man. We've had enough. Don't worry. (While Shen De brings tea.) We'll settle down here so as not to disturb. You must have chosen the tobacco trade in memory of your first home with us? We could help you with some advice. That's why they came here.

Shin (mockingly). It is to be hoped that there will be more buyers?

Woman. Is she talking about us?

Man. Shh! Here is the buyer!

A ragged man enters.

A ragged man. Sorry. I am unemployed.

Shin laughs.

Shen De. What can I serve?

Unemployed. I heard you are opening a shop tomorrow, and I thought that when you unpack the goods, it happens that something goes bad. Do you have an extra cigarette?

Woman. It's too much - begging for tobacco! If only there was bread!

Unemployed. Bread is expensive. Two or three puffs - and I'm a different person. I'm so tired.

Shen De (gives him cigarettes). It is very important to become a different person. Be my first customer. You will bring me happiness.

The unemployed man quickly lights a cigarette and leaves, coughing.

Woman. Did you do the right thing, dear Shen De?

Shin. If you trade like this, you will bargain in three days.

Man. I bet he had money in his pocket.

Shen De. But he said he didn't have anything.

Nephew. How do you know he didn't lie?

Shen De (indignantly). How do I know he lied?

Woman (shaking her head). She can't say no! You are too kind, Shen De. If you want to keep your shop, learn to say no when approached.

Man. Say she's not yours. Say that it belongs to your relative, who demands an account from you. Is it hard to say?

Shin. It is not difficult at all if it were not for the passion to play a benefactor.

Shen De (laughs). Scold, scold! So I’ll take it and refuse you housing and I’ll take the rice back too!

Woman (frightened). How, and the rice is also yours?

Shen De (to the public).

They are bad.

They don't love anyone.

They won't wish a full plate on anyone.

They only know themselves.

Who will judge them for this?

A small man enters.

Shin (sees him and hurries to leave). I'll look again tomorrow. (Exits.)

Little man (shouting after her). Wait, Miss Shin! You are what I need!

Woman. Why does she come here? She has rights to you, doesn't she?

Shen De. There are no rights, but there is hunger, it is more.

Small man. She knows why she is in a hurry to get away. Are you the new shop owner? Already put the goods on the shelves! I warn you, how are you there, they are not yours! Until you pay for them! The rubbish that was sitting here did not pay me off. (To the rest.) I'm a carpenter.

Shen De. Don't the shelves belong to the furnishings I paid for?

Joiner. Deception! Deception all around! Of course, you are at one with this Shin! I demand my one hundred silver dollars, if I weren't Ling Tuo.

Shen De. How can I pay if I have no more money?

Joiner. Then I'll auction them off! This very minute! Either you pay or I sell them!

A man (Shen De prompts). Relative!

Shen De. Can't we wait until next month?

Carpenter (shouting). No!

Shen De. Don't be cruel, Master Ling Tuo. I am not able to pay everyone at once. (To the public.)

A little indulgence - strength is doubled.

Here is a draft horse bent down for grass.

Look at it through your fingers -

She better pull the cart.

A little patience in June - and your tree

In August, it will bend under the weight of peaches.

Is it possible to live together without indulgence?

little reprieve

Helps a great cause.

(To the carpenter.) Be indulgent, Mr. Ling Tuo!

Joiner. And who will be indulgent to me and my family? (She moves one of the shelves away from the wall, as if she wants to take it with her.) Money, or I'll take the shelves away!

Woman. Dear Shen De, why don't you entrust this matter to your relative? (To the carpenter.) Write the bill and Cousin Shen De will pay.

Joiner. We know these cousins!

Nephew. Why are you laughing like a fool! I know him personally.

Man. It's not a man, it's a knife!

Joiner. Okay, let him get my bill. (He overturns the shelf, sits down on it and writes the account.)

Woman. He'll steal your last shirt if you don't stop him. Reject claims, whether they are fair or not, because you will not end up with claims, fair or not. Throw a piece of meat in a garbage barrel and the dogs of the whole block will bite in your yard. Why do there exist courts?

Shen De. He worked and is entitled to receive for his work. And he has a family. Too bad I can't pay! What will the gods say?

Man. You've done your duty by giving us shelter, that's more than enough.

Enter a lame man and a pregnant woman.

Lame (husband and wife). So there you are! Dear relatives, nothing to say! Throw us on the street corner, beautiful!

Woman (embarrassed, Shen De). This is my brother Wun and sister-in-law. (To both.) Do not scold and sit quietly in a corner so as not to interfere with Shen De, our old friend. (Shen De.) I think I'll have to leave both of them - the daughter-in-law is already in her fifth month. Or are you of a different opinion?

Shen De. Please!

Woman. Thank you. The cups are over there. (Shen De.) These would not know where to go at all. How lucky you are to have a shop!

Shen De (smiling, brings tea. To the audience). Yes, I'm lucky that I have a shop!

Landlady Mi Ju enters with paper in hand.

Homeowner. Mademoiselle Shen De, I am the owner of the house, Mrs. Mi Ju. I hope we get along well with each other. Here's the lease. (While Shen De reads the contract.) A wonderful moment - the opening of a small trading business, do you agree, gentlemen? (Looks around.) True, the shelves are still empty, but nothing, it will do. Surely you can provide me with some recommendations?

Shen De. Is it necessary?

Homeowner. But I don't know you at all.

Man. What if we vouch for Shen De? We have known her since she arrived in the city, and we are ready to vouch for her head at any moment.

Homeowner. And who are you?

Man. Tobacco merchant, Ma Fu.

Homeowner. Where is your shop?

Man. IN this moment I don't have a shop. You see, I just sold it.

Homeowner. So. (Shen De.) No one else to give information about you?

Woman (prompts). Cousin! Cousin!

Homeowner. You must have someone who will vouch for whoever I let into the house. This is a respectable home, my dear. Otherwise, I can't afford to make a pact with you.

Shen De (slowly, lowering her eyes). I have a cousin.

Homeowner. Oh, you have a cousin? Here in the city? So let's go straight to him. What does he do?

Shen De. He does not live here, but in another city.

Woman. I think you said - in Shun?

Shen De. Mr. Shoi Yes. In Shun!

Man. Yes, yes, I know him very well. Tall, skinny.

Nephew (carpenter). You, it seems, also negotiated with the cousin of Mademoiselle Shen De? About the shelves!

Carpenter (grouchily). I'm just writing an invoice for him. Here he is! (Hands over the bill.) Tomorrow early in the morning I'll come again! (Exits.)

Nephew (shouts after him, looking askance at the landlady). Don't worry, your cousin will pay for everything!

Homeowner (piercing Shen De's gaze). Well then! And I would love to meet him. Good evening, mademoiselle. (Exits.)

Woman (after a pause). Now everything will open! You can be sure that tomorrow morning she will know everything about you.

Daughter-in-law (quietly, nephew). Don't stay here long!

An old man enters, led by a boy.

Boy (over his shoulder). They are here.

Woman. Hello grandpa. (Shen De.) Kind old man! I imagine how worried he was about us. And the boy, isn't it, has grown a lot. Eats for three. Who else did you bring there?

MAN (looking out). Nobody but my niece.

Woman (Shen De). Young, just from the village. I hope this doesn't burden you? When you lived with us, there weren't so many of us yet, right? But there were more and more of us. The worse things got, the more they got. And the more they added, the worse it got. And now let's bolt the door, there will be no peace for him. (Locks the doors.)

Everyone sits down.

The main thing is not to interfere with your work. Otherwise, the smoke will not rise above the roof of this house. It is necessary to establish order: in the afternoon the younger ones leave, only grandfather, daughter-in-law and, perhaps, also me remain. The rest of us drop in at most once or twice during the day, right? Now light the lamp and make yourself comfortable.

Nephew (humorously). If only my cousin, that formidable Mr. Shoi Da, would not break in tonight.

The bride laughs.

Brother (reaches for a cigarette). One doesn't matter!

Man. None.

Everyone takes cigarettes and smokes. The brother passes around the jug of wine.

Nephew. Cousin will pay!

Grandpa (seriously, Shen De). Good afternoon

Shen De, embarrassed by this belated greeting, bows. In one hand she

holds the account of the carpenter, in the other - the contract of employment.

Woman. Would you sing something, entertain the hostess!

Nephew. Grandpa starts!

They are singing.

ﾵSMOKE SONGﾧ

Until the whole head became gray-haired,

I thought that the mind will help me break through.

Now I already know that there is no wisdom

An empty stomach cannot be filled.

Look at the gray smoke

This is how you follow him.

Three skins are torn off for honest work.

I looked and chose a curve, devious

But our brother was not allowed to move here either.

Now I don't know where to turn.

And so I say: forget about everything!

Look at the gray smoke

Everything is colder than the cold to which he goes.

This is how you follow him.

Current page: 1 (the book has 6 pages in total)

Brecht Bertolt
Good man from Sichuan

Bertolt Brecht

Good man from Sichuan

Parabolic play

In collaboration with R. Berlau and M. Steffin

Translation by E. Ionova and Y. Yuzovsky

Poems translated by Boris Slutsky

CHARACTERS

Van is a water carrier.

Three gods.

Yang Song is an unemployed pilot.

Ms. Yang is his mother.

Widow Shin.

Family of eight.

Carpenter Ling To.

Mi Ju's landlady.

Police officer.

Carpet merchant.

His wife.

Old prostitute.

Barber Shu Fu.

Waiter.

Unemployed.

Passers-by in the prologue.

Location: the semi-Europeanized capital of Sichuan.

Sichuan province, which summarized all the places on the globe where

Man exploits man, now he does not belong to such places.

A street in the main city of Sichuan. Evening. The water carrier Wang is introduced to the public.

Van. I am a local water carrier - I sell water in the capital of Sichuan. Hard craft! If there is not enough water, you have to go far for it. And if there is a lot of it, earnings are small. In general, there is great poverty in our province. Everyone says that if anyone else is able to help us, it's the gods. And now imagine my joy when a cattle dealer I know - he travels a lot - told me that several of our most prominent gods are already on their way and can be expected in Sichuan any hour. Heaven is said to be greatly disturbed by the multitude of complaints that come to it. This is the third day I have been waiting here at the city gates, especially in the evening, in order to be the first to greet guests. I won't be able to do it later. They will be surrounded by high-ranking gentlemen, then try to get through to them. How would you know them? They probably won't show up together. Most likely one at a time, so as not to draw too much attention to yourself. These don't look like gods, they're coming home from work. (Looks attentively at the workers passing by.) Their shoulders are bent from the weights they carry. And this one? What kind of god is he - fingers in ink. At most an employee of a cement plant. Even those two gentlemen...

Two men pass by.

And those, in my opinion, are not gods. They have a cruel expression on their faces, like people who are used to beating, and the gods do not need this. And there are three! As if it's something else. Well-fed, not the slightest sign of any occupation, shoes in the dust, which means they came from afar. They are they! O wise ones, have me! (Falls down.)

The first god (joyfully). Are we waiting here?

Van (gives them a drink). A long time ago. But only I knew about your arrival.

First god. We need an overnight stay. Do you know where we can settle down?

Van. Where? Everywhere! The whole city is at your disposal, O wise ones! Where would you like?

The gods look at each other meaningfully.

First god. At least in the nearest house, my son! Let's try in the nearest time!

Van. It only embarrasses me that I will incur the wrath of those in power if I give special preference to one of them.

First god. That is why we order you: start with the nearest!

Van. Mr. Fo lives there! Wait a minute. (Running up to the house and knocking on the door.)

The door opens, but Van is seen to be refused.

(Returns timidly.) What a failure! Mr. Fo, unfortunately, is not at home, and the servants do not dare to do anything without his order, the owner is very strict! Well, he will be furious when he finds out who was not accepted in his house, right?

Gods (smiling). Undoubtedly.

Van. One more minute! The house next door belongs to Su's widow. She will be overjoyed. (Runs towards the house, but apparently gets rejected again.) I'll do better opposite. The widow says that she has only one small room, and that one is not in order. Now I will turn to Mr. Chen.

Second god. A small room is enough for us. Say we'll take it.

Van. Even if it's not tidy, even if it's full of spiders?

Second god. Trivia! Where there are spiders, there are few flies.

The third god (friendly, Vanu). Go to Mr. Chen or somewhere else, my son, spiders, I confess, I do not like it.

Van again knocks on a door, and they let him in.

Van (returning to the gods). Mr. Chen is in despair, his house is full of relatives, and he does not dare to appear before your eyes, wise ones. Between us, I think there are bad people among them, and he does not want you to see them. He fears your wrath. That's the whole point.

Third God. Are we that scary?

Van. Only for bad people, right? It is known that the inhabitants of the province of Kwan suffer from flooding for decades - God's punishment!

Second god. Here's how? Why?

Van. Yes, because they are all atheists.

Second god. Nonsense! Just because they didn't fix the dam.

First god. Shh! (Vanu). Do you still hope, my son?

Van. How can you even ask such a thing? It is worth passing one more house, and I will find accommodation for you. Everyone licks his fingers in anticipation that he will receive you. Unfortunate coincidence, you know? I'm running! (Walks away slowly and stops hesitantly in the middle of the street.)

Second god. What did I say?

Third God. Still, I think it's just a coincidence.

Second god. Chance in Shun, Chance in Kwan and Chance in Sichuan. The fear of God is no more on earth - this is the truth that you are afraid to face. Admit that our mission failed!

First god. We may yet come across a kind person. Any minute. We must not retreat immediately.

Third God. The decree said: the world can remain as it is if there are enough people worthy of the title of man. The water carrier himself is such a person, unless I am deceived. (Goes up to Wang, who is still scurrying in hesitation.)

Second god. He is being deceived. When the water carrier gave us a drink from his mug, I noticed something. Here is the mug. (Shows it to the first god.)

First god. Double bottom.

Second god. Scammer!

First god. Okay, he's out. Well, what is it if one is rotten? We will meet those who are able to live a decent human life. We must find! For two millennia the cry has not stopped, it cannot go on like this! No one in this world is able to be kind! We must finally point to people who can follow our commandments.

The third god (Vanu). Maybe it's very difficult to find a shelter?

Van. Just not for you! Have mercy! My fault that it was not immediately found - I'm looking badly.

Third God. This is definitely not the point. (Comes back.)

Van. They already guess. (To a passer-by.) Honorable sir, I'm sorry to address you, but the three most important gods, whose imminent arrival for many years all Sichuan has been talking about, have now actually arrived and need housing. Do not leave! See for yourself! One look is enough! For God's sake, help me out! fell to your lot Lucky case use it! Offer shelter to the gods before someone intercepts them - they will agree.

The passerby continues on his way.

(Turns to another passer-by.) Most respected, did you hear? Maybe you have an apartment? Not necessarily - luxurious chambers. Most importantly, good intentions.

Second passerby. How do I know what kind of gods your gods are? Who knows who you'll let go. (Goes into a tobacco shop.)

Van (runs back to the gods). He will surely agree. (Notices his mug on the ground, looks confusedly at the gods, picks it up and runs away again.)

First god. This doesn't sound very encouraging.

Van (to a passer-by, when he leaves the shop). Well, what about housing?

Second passerby. How do you know, maybe I myself live in a hotel?

First god. He won't find anything. We will also have to cross out Sichuan.

Van. These are the three main gods! True true! The statues in the temples are very similar to them. If you waste no time and approach and invite them, perhaps they will still agree.

The second passer-by (laughing). Well, it must be the swindlers whom you want to attach. (Exits.)

Van (scolds him after him). Crooked speculator! You are not afraid of God! You will be roasted in boiling tar for your insensibility! The gods are spitting on you! But you will regret it! Until the fourth generation you will pay! The whole of Sichuan was covered in shame! (Pause.) Now only the prostitute Shen De remains, this one can't say no. (Calls.) Shen De!

Shen De looks out from the top window.

They are already here, I cannot find shelter for them. Can you host them for one night?

Shen De. I'm afraid not, Wang. I'm waiting for a guest. But is it possible that you do not find a home for them?

Van. Now is not the time to talk about it. The whole of Sichuan is a pile of shit.

Shen De. I would have to hide from him when he shows up. Maybe he'll leave then. He also wanted to take a walk with me.

Van. For now, we'd go upstairs, huh?

Shen De. Only you must not speak loudly. Can you be honest with them?

Van. God forbid! They must not know anything about your trade. No, we'd better wait downstairs. But won't you leave with him?

Shen De. My affairs are bad, and if I do not pay the rent by tomorrow morning, they will throw me out.

Van. At such a moment it is not good to be prudent.

Shen De. Don't know. Unfortunately, the stomach rumbles even when the emperor has a birthday. Okay, I'll take them.

It can be seen that she puts out the light.

First god. It looks like nothing happened.

The gods approach Van.

Van (seeing the gods behind him, shudders). The apartment is secured. (Wipes sweat.)

Gods. Yes? In that case, let's go.

Van. Take your time. Wait a little. The room is being tidied up.

Third God. Then we sit down and wait.

Van. There seems to be too much movement here. We'd better go to the other side.

Second god. We are willing to look at people. Actually, for this purpose we came here.

Van. Yes, but it's drafty in here.

Second god. Oh, we are hardened people.

Van. But perhaps you would like me to show you Sichuan at night? Shall we take a little walk?

Third God. We've walked enough today. (Smiling.) But if you want us to leave here, you just need to tell us.

Are you satisfied now?

They sit on the porch of one of the houses.

Van (sinks to the ground at some distance from them; gathering his courage). You will live with a single girl. She is the best person in Sichuan.

Third God. That's good!

Wang (to the public). When I picked up the mug, they looked at me so strangely. Have you noticed? I don't dare to look them in the eye anymore.

Third God. You are very tired.

Van. A little. From running.

First god. What, people here are very hard to live?

Van. Good - yes.

First god (seriously). You too?

Van. I know what you mean. I am bad. But it's not easy for me either.

Meanwhile, a man appeared in front of Shen De's house. He whistles several times

and Wang shudders every time.

The third god (quietly, Vanu). It seems that he did not wait and left.

Van (confused). Yes Yes. (Gets up and runs to the square, leaving the jug and mug.)

At that time, the following happened: the man who was waiting on the street left, and Shen De, leaving the house and calling softly: "Wan," walks along the street in search of Wang. AND

now when Wang softly calls "Shen De", he gets no answer.

She deceived me. She left to get money for an apartment, and I have no lodging for the wisest. They are tired and waiting. I can't go back to them and say: there's nothing! My own house is a drainpipe, it is out of the question. In addition, the gods certainly do not want to live with a person whose fraudulent deeds are discovered. I won't go back to them for anything in the world. But my dishes were there. What to do? I dare not take it. Rather, I will leave the city and hide from their eyes, because I have not been able to help those whom I worship. (Runs away.)

But as soon as he disappeared, Shen De returned, looking for him on the other side of the street.

and sees the gods.

Shen De. Are you the wise ones? My name is Shen De. I will be glad if you are satisfied with my closet.

Third God. But where did the aqueduct go?

Shen De. We probably missed him.

First god. He must have thought you weren't coming and was afraid to come back to us.

Third god (raises the mug and jug). We'll leave it to you. He still needs them.

Led by Shen De, the gods go to the house. Darkens and brightens again. At dawn, the gods come out of the door of the house. They are led by Shen De, lighting the way with a lamp.

They say goodbye.

First god. Dear Shen De, thank you for your hospitality. We will not forget that it was you who sheltered us. Return the water carrier to his dishes and convey our gratitude for showing us a kind person.

Shen De. I'm not kind. To tell you the truth, when Wang asked me to give you shelter, I hesitated.

First god. Hesitation is not a problem if it is overcome. Know that you gave us something more than an overnight stay. Many, and even we, the gods, have doubts whether good people still exist in the world. In order to find out, we undertook our journey. We continue it with joy, because one has already been found. Goodbye!

Shen De. Stop, wise ones, I'm not at all sure that I'm kind. True, I would like to be like that, but then what about the room fee? I confess to you: in order to live, I sell myself. But even this way I cannot exist, too many people have to do the same. And now I'm ready for anything, but who is not ready for anything? Of course, I would gladly keep the commandments - honoring elders and refraining from lying. It would be a joy for me not to wish my neighbor's house, to be faithful to one man is a pleasure. I would also not like to use anyone and offend the defenseless. But how to do it? Even breaking the commandments, barely manages to live.

First god. All this, Shen De, is nothing but the doubts of a good man.

Third God. Farewell, Shen De! Say hello to the water carrier. He was a good friend to us.

Second god. I'm afraid he had a hard time.

Third God. Be happy!

First god. Above all, stay kind, Shen De! Goodbye!

They turn to leave, nod goodbye to her.

Shen De (frightened). But I'm not sure of myself, wise ones! How can I be kind when everything is so expensive?

Second god. Here, unfortunately, we are powerless. We cannot interfere in economic matters.

Third God. Stop! Wait a minute! If she had some means, it would perhaps be easier for her to remain kind.

Second god. We have no right to give her anything. We won't be able to explain it up there.

First god. Why not?

They whisper, discussing animatedly.

(Shen De, embarrassed.) We heard that you have nothing to pay for the room. We are not poor people and are able to thank for the overnight stay. Here! (Gives her money.) Just don't tell anyone that we gave you money. And then, perhaps, they will not interpret it that way.

Second god. Still would!

Third God. No, it's allowed. We didn't break anything if we paid for the overnight stay. The decision says nothing about this. So, goodbye!

The gods leave quickly.

Small tobacco shop.

The shop is not yet fully furnished and is not open.

Shen De (to the public). It's been three days since the gods left. They said they were paying me to stay overnight. But when I looked at what they gave me, I saw more than a thousand silver dollars. I bought a tobacco shop with this money. Yesterday I moved here and I hope that I can do a lot of good. For example, Ms. Shin, the former owner of the shop. Already yesterday she came to ask me for rice for her children. So today, I see her walking across the square with her pot.

Shin enters. The women bow to each other.

Shen De. Good afternoon, Miss Shin.

Shin. Good afternoon, Mademoiselle Shen De. How do you feel in your new home?

Shen De. Fine. How did your kids spend the night?

Shin. In someone else's house! If only this barracks could be called home. The younger one is coughing.

Shen De. Badly.

Shin. You cannot understand what is bad, because you live well. But you will also have to experience something here, in this shop. Don't forget - this is a quarter of poverty.

Shen De. Yes, but at lunchtime, as you told me, cement factory workers come in?

Shin. Besides them, no one buys anything, not even the neighbors.

Shen De. When you ceded the shop to me, you didn't say a word about it.

Shin. Only your reproaches are missing! It is not enough for you that you deprived my children of shelter! And then you irritate with talk about a shop and a beggarly quarter. How much is possible! .. (Crying.)

Shen De (quickly). I'll bring you rice now.

Shin. I would also like to borrow some money.

Shen De (while she pours rice into the pot). I can't do that, I haven't gotten anything yet.

Shin. I need money. What to live? You took everything from me and still want to finish it off. I'll leave my children on your doorstep, bloodsucker! (He snatches the pot out of Shen De's hands.)

Shen De. Don't get angry, scatter the rice!

Enter an elderly couple and a poorly dressed man.

Woman. My dear Shen De, we heard that you are lucky. You have become a business woman! Imagine, we are without a roof over our heads. Our tobacco shop had to close. We were wondering if we could spend at least one night at your place. Do you remember my nephew? Here it is, we'll never part.

Nephew (looking around the room). Nice shop!

Shin. What are these people?

Shen De. When I came from the village to the city, they were my first landlords. (To the public.) When the pennies that were with me ran out, they kicked me out into the street. They are probably afraid that I will refuse them. Poor things.

They are homeless

Without happiness, without share.

They need support

How can you refuse them?

(Greetings to those who have come.) Please, please! I will gladly accept you. True, I have only a tiny room behind the shop.

Man. We've had enough. Don't worry. (While Shen De brings tea.) We'll settle down here so as not to disturb. You must have chosen the tobacco trade in memory of your first home with us? We could help you with some advice. That's why they came here.

Shin (mockingly). It is to be hoped that there will be more buyers?

Woman. Is she talking about us?

Man. Shh! Here is the buyer!

A ragged man enters.

A ragged man. Sorry. I am unemployed.

Shin laughs.

Shen De. What can I serve?

Unemployed. I heard you are opening a shop tomorrow, and I thought that when you unpack the goods, it happens that something goes bad. Do you have an extra cigarette?

Woman. It's too much to beg for tobacco! If only there was bread!

Unemployed. Bread is expensive. Two or three puffs and I'm a different person. I'm so tired.

Shen De (gives him cigarettes). It is very important to become a different person. Be my first customer. You will bring me happiness.

The unemployed man quickly lights a cigarette and leaves, coughing.

Woman. Did you do the right thing, dear Shen De?

Shin. If you trade like this, you will bargain in three days.

Man. I bet he had money in his pocket.

Shen De. But he said he didn't have anything.

Nephew. How do you know he didn't lie?

Shen De (indignantly). How do I know he lied?

Woman (shaking her head). She can't say no! You are too kind, Shen De. If you want to keep your shop, learn to say no when approached.

Man. Say she's not yours. Say that it belongs to your relative, who demands an account from you. Is it hard to say?

Shin. It is not difficult at all if it were not for the passion to play a benefactor.

Shen De (laughs). Scold, scold! So I’ll take it and refuse you housing and I’ll take the rice back too!

Woman (frightened). How, and the rice is also yours?

Shen De (to the public).

They are bad.

They don't love anyone.

They won't wish a full plate on anyone.

They only know themselves.

Who will judge them for this?

A small man enters.

Shin (sees him and hurries to leave). I'll look again tomorrow. (Exits.)

Little man (shouting after her). Wait, Miss Shin! You are what I need!

Woman. Why does she come here? She has rights to you, doesn't she?

Shen De. There are no rights, but there is hunger, it is more.

Small man. She knows why she is in a hurry to get away. Are you the new shop owner? Already put the goods on the shelves! I warn you, how are you there, they are not yours! Until you pay for them! The rubbish that was sitting here did not pay me off. (To the rest.) I'm a carpenter.

Shen De. Don't the shelves belong to the furnishings I paid for?

Joiner. Deception! Deception all around! Of course, you are at one with this Shin! I demand my one hundred silver dollars, if I weren't Ling Tuo.

Shen De. How can I pay if I have no more money?

Joiner. Then I'll auction them off! This very minute! Either you pay or I sell them!

A man (Shen De prompts). Relative!

Shen De. Can't we wait until next month?

Carpenter (shouting). No!

Shen De. Don't be cruel, Master Ling Tuo. I am not able to pay everyone at once. (To the public.)

A little indulgence - strength doubles.

Here is a draft horse bent down for grass.

look at it through your fingers

She better pull the cart.

A little patience in June - and your tree

In August, it will bend under the weight of peaches.

Is it possible to live together without indulgence?

little reprieve

Helps a great cause.

(To the carpenter.) Be indulgent, Mr. Ling Tuo!

Joiner. And who will be indulgent to me and my family? (She moves one of the shelves away from the wall, as if she wants to take it with her.) Money, or I'll take the shelves away!

Woman. Dear Shen De, why don't you entrust this matter to your relative? (To the carpenter.) Write the bill and Cousin Shen De will pay.

Joiner. We know these cousins!

Nephew. Why are you laughing like a fool! I know him personally.

Man. It's not a man, it's a knife!

Joiner. Okay, let him get my bill. (He overturns the shelf, sits down on it and writes the account.)

Woman. He'll steal your last shirt if you don't stop him. Reject claims, whether they are fair or not, because you will not end up with claims, fair or not. Throw a piece of meat in a garbage barrel and the dogs of the whole block will bite in your yard. Why do there exist courts?

Shen De. He worked and is entitled to receive for his work. And he has a family. Too bad I can't pay! What will the gods say?

Man. You've done your duty by giving us shelter, that's more than enough.

Enter a lame man and a pregnant woman.

Lame (husband and wife). So there you are! Dear relatives, nothing to say! Throw us on the street corner, beautiful!

Woman (embarrassed, Shen De). This is my brother Wun and sister-in-law. (To both.) Do not scold and sit quietly in a corner so as not to interfere with Shen De, our old friend. (Shen De.) I think I'll have to leave both of them - the daughter-in-law is already in her fifth month. Or are you of a different opinion?

Shen De. Please!

Woman. Thank you. The cups are over there. (Shen De.) These would not know where to go at all. How lucky you are to have a shop!

Shen De (smiling, brings tea. To the audience). Yes, I'm lucky that I have a shop!

Landlady Mi Ju enters with paper in hand.

Homeowner. Mademoiselle Shen De, I am the owner of the house, Mrs. Mi Ju. I hope we get along well with each other. Here's the lease. (While Shen De reads the contract.) A wonderful moment - the opening of a small trading business, do you agree, gentlemen? (Looks around.) True, the shelves are still empty, but nothing, it will do. Surely you can provide me with some recommendations?

Shen De. Is it necessary?

Homeowner. But I don't know you at all.

Man. What if we vouch for Shen De? We have known her since she arrived in the city, and we are ready to vouch for her head at any moment.

Homeowner. And who are you?

Man. Tobacco merchant, Ma Fu.

Homeowner. Where is your shop?

Man. I don't have a shop at the moment. You see, I just sold it.

Homeowner. So. (Shen De.) No one else to give information about you?

Woman (prompts). Cousin! Cousin!

Homeowner. You must have someone who will vouch for whoever I let into the house. This is a respectable home, my dear. Otherwise, I can't afford to make a pact with you.

Shen De (slowly, lowering her eyes). I have a cousin.

Homeowner. Oh, you have a cousin? Here in the city? So let's go straight to him. What does he do?

Shen De. He does not live here, but in another city.

Woman. I think you said - in Shun?

Shen De. Mr. Shoi Yes. In Shun!

Man. Yes, yes, I know him very well. Tall, skinny.

Nephew (carpenter). You, it seems, also negotiated with the cousin of Mademoiselle Shen De? About the shelves!

Carpenter (grouchily). I'm just writing an invoice for him. Here he is! (Hands over the bill.) Tomorrow early in the morning I'll come again! (Exits.)

Nephew (shouts after him, looking askance at the landlady). Don't worry, your cousin will pay for everything!

Homeowner (piercing Shen De's gaze). Well then! And I would love to meet him. Good evening, mademoiselle. (Exits.)

Woman (after a pause). Now everything will open! You can be sure that tomorrow morning she will know everything about you.

Daughter-in-law (quietly, nephew). Don't stay here long!

An old man enters, led by a boy.

Boy (over his shoulder). They are here.

Woman. Hello grandpa. (Shen De.) kind old man! I imagine how worried he was about us. And the boy, isn't it, has grown a lot. Eats for three. Who else did you bring there?

MAN (looking out). Nobody but my niece.

Woman (Shen De). Young, just from the village. I hope this doesn't burden you? When you lived with us, there weren't so many of us yet, right? But there were more and more of us. The worse things got, the more they got. And the more they added, the worse it got. And now let's bolt the door, there will be no peace for him. (Locks the doors.)

Everyone sits down.

The main thing is not to interfere with your work. Otherwise, the smoke will not rise above the roof of this house. It is necessary to establish order: in the afternoon the younger ones leave, only grandfather, daughter-in-law and, perhaps, also me remain. The rest of us drop in at most once or twice during the day, right? Now light the lamp and make yourself comfortable.

Nephew (humorously). If only my cousin, that formidable Mr. Shoi Da, would not break in tonight.

The bride laughs.

Brother (reaches for a cigarette). One doesn't matter!

Man. None.

Everyone takes cigarettes and smokes. The brother passes around the jug of wine.

Nephew. Cousin will pay!

Grandpa (seriously, Shen De). Good afternoon

Shen De, embarrassed by this belated greeting, bows. In one hand she

holds the account of the carpenter, in the other - the contract of employment.

Woman. Would you sing something, entertain the hostess!

Nephew. Grandpa starts!

They are singing.

SONG ABOUT SMOKE

Until the whole head became gray-haired,

I thought that the mind will help me break through.

Now I already know that there is no wisdom

An empty stomach cannot be filled.

Look at the gray smoke

This is how you follow him.

Three skins are torn off for honest work.

I looked and chose a curve, devious

But our brother was not allowed to move here either.

Now I don't know where to turn.

And so I say: forget about everything!

Look at the gray smoke

Everything is colder than the cold to which he goes.

This is how you follow him.

Niece.

Hope is not for the old. Hope needs

to create them first. To break them down later.

For the young, the doors are wide open. But we are the ways

Through any door - let's go to Nothing.

And so I say: forget about everything!

Look at the gray smoke

Everything is colder than the cold to which he goes.

This is how you follow him.

Nephew (brother). Where do you get your wine from?

Daughter-in-law. He pawned a sack of tobacco.

Man. What? This tobacco was the only thing we still had left! We didn't even touch it to pay for the lodging! Pig!

Brother. Are you calling me a pig because my wife is cold? You yourself drank. Now give me the jug!

They fight. The tobacco shelves are falling.

Shen De (begging them). Oh, have pity on the shop, don't break it! This is a gift from the gods! Take whatever you want, but don't break!

WOMAN (skeptically). The shop is smaller than I expected. I shouldn't have told our aunt and the others about her. If they still priprutsya, it will become quite crowded.

Daughter-in-law. And the hostess seemed to have become colder!

Screams. Open! This is us!

Woman. Aunt, is that you? Oh what to do?

Shen De. My sweet shop! Oh my hope! Barely opened - and no longer a shop. (To the public.)

Rescue little boat

Immediately goes to the bottom

'Cause there's too many drowning

Greedily grabbed the sides.

Screams (outside). Open!

Interlude under the bridge.

By the river, crouched, sits a water-carrier.

Van (looking around). Silence around. This is the fourth day I've been hiding here. They won't find me because I'm looking both ways. I deliberately ran in the direction they were leaving. Yesterday they crossed the bridge, I heard their footsteps over my head. They should be far away by now, I'm safe. (Lays down and falls asleep.)

Music. The mound becomes transparent, and the gods appear.

(Covering her face with her elbow, as if defending herself from a blow.) Don't say anything, I know everything! I didn't find anyone willing to take you in, not a single home! Now you know everything! Go on.

First god. No, you found. When you were gone, the one you found appeared. He let us spend the night at his place, he guarded our sleep and shone a lamp when we left. You called him a kind man, and he turned out to be kind.

Van. So it was Shen De?

Third God. Certainly!

Van. And I, of little faith, ran away! Just because I thought she couldn't come. She cannot come because her affairs are bad.

Oh weak.

Kind-hearted but weak man!

With need next - he does not see kindness.

Near danger - does not see the brave.

Oh weakness - you are blind to the good!

Oh, the judgments are too quick! despair

What comes too soon and easily!

Van. I am very ashamed, wise ones! First god. Now, Wang, do us a favor, hurry back to the capital and find the good Shen De to tell us about her. She is well now. They say that she got money for a small shop and was able to follow the dictates of her good heart. Let her know that you need her help, for a person cannot remain kind for a long time if kindness is not required of him. We will go further in search of people who would be like our good man from Sichuan, in order to finally stop talking about the fact that good people do not find a place for themselves on earth.

The gods disappear.

Tobacconist's.

Sleeping people everywhere. The lamp is still on. They knock.

Woman (sleepy, rising). Shen De! They knock! Where is she there?

Nephew. Probably went for breakfast. Mister cousin will pay!

The woman laughs and drags her feet towards the door. A young man enters

carpenter behind him.

Young man. I am a cousin.

Woman (in amazement). How? Who you are?

Young man. My name is Shoi Da.

GUESTS (lifting one another). Cousin! Why, it was a joke, she doesn't have any cousin! - But here comes some and claims that he is a cousin! “Amazing, so early!

The play is a parable, a moral drama with a simple and clear collision. Brecht in this case is interested in what is good in modern world. Sh. T. - kind, loving woman forced to earn a living by prostitution. But luck once smiled at her, Sh. T. received an award from three gods for providing them with an overnight stay. She becomes the owner of a tobacco shop, hoping to be honest and hard-working. But the rich want to take away her small shop, and the poor pester her with requests for alms.

And Sh. T, in order to survive in this merciless world, invents a twin brother Shui-Ta. From now on, she, disguised, appears in his guise. Shui-Ta is no match for his sister, he is cruel, practical and rude, disperses the poor and fights back the rich. Then Shui-Ta disappears and Sh. T returns, who is considered a kind person in Sezuan. But whatever Sh. T does, everything brings her only sorrows. One day, she saves an unemployed pilot Yang Sun, who decided to commit suicide, and falls in love with him. For a pilot, this is a profitable party. He needs money and the opportunity to fly again. Sh.T. doesn't have that kind of money, and Yang Sun, along with her evil mother, place all their hopes in Sh.T.'s rational brother Shui-Ta, who never shows up on the wedding day, causing the wedding to be upset.

Sh. T. is again transformed into the ruthless Shui-Ta, who becomes the owner of the factory, but the poor people of Sezuan accuse him of killing his sister. In the court where Shui-Ta ends up, everyone starts blaming each other, and everyone is right in their own way. Sh. T, using her incognito, openly denounces everyone who forced her to pretend. The rich, who mock the poor, and the poor, who are ready to ruin the kindest person with their requests, and Sh. T herself, forced to deceive everyone, appear pitiful. The gods who provoked this story come to the aid of Sh.T. But the falsity of the help of the gods is obvious, Sh. T. stretches out her hands to them, and they disappear, giving her the opportunity to extricate herself. For the playwright, the conclusion is clear: if no one can be happy in a ruthless world, then this world must be broken and a new one built.

The first performance of The Good Man from Sezuan took place in 1943 at the Schausch-Pilhaus Theater (Zurich, Switzerland), directed by Leonhard Stäckel. But more famous is the 1957 production of Beno Besson, a student of Brecht, in the Berliner Ensemble with Käthe Reichel in the title role.

On April 23, 1964, the production of The Good Man from Sezuan, staged by Yu. P. Lyubimov, opened the Taganka Theater in Moscow (previously it was an educational performance of the Shchukin School). Z. Slavina, who played Sh. T., V. Vysotsky, four years after the premiere, received the role of Yang Sun, and the whole performance became symbols of the sixties and the sixties.