The Good Woman of Setzuan

Three gods visit the province of Setzuan in search of a good person. All of the provincials except the prostitute Shen Te shun them, and so they reward her with money. Shen Te uses the gods’ reward to open a tobacco shop. However she discovers that the only way to protect herself from being exploited is to take on a male disguise, Shui Ta. As Shen Te’s business grows, Shui Ta apparently grows fat with prosperity, but in fact Shen Ta is pregnant by a pilot who has deserted her. At the end of the play she is brought to trial, and the gods abadnon her, refusing her plea to be released from their command to remain good.