Response Letters

When watching this or any play, there is certain to be some disagreement among audience members about the events of the play and the reasons certain characters behaved the way they did. The purpose of this activity is to try to illuminate the spectrum of understanding that exists within the class.

At the end of The Good Soul of Szechuan, we are in the courtroom. Everyone in attendance believes Shui Ta will get off because he is well-connected. All present tell the gods about how good Shen Te is. While several people claim Shui Ta is a good and honorable businessman, most say he has ruined them. The merits of Shui Ta and Shen Teh are debated by all whose lives have been touched by them. Given all the events in the play, the characters respond in a variety of ways. Following the end of the play, what would any of the characters say about the events we have witnessed? To whom would they say it?

Once the students have written their letters, ask them to get into small groups and read their letters to each other. Once they have all shared, use the discussion questions to debrief the activity.

Discussion Questions

  1. What do we think the characters want to express? Why didn’t they express these thoughts before the end of the play?
  2. What do these letters reveal about the character?
  3. What can the class as a whole learn from this experience?