Brecht finished writing The Good Woman of Setzuan in 1941 while in exile from Germany during World War II. Research the history surrounding the play. How was it addressing specific social issues in its historical moment?

Brecht’s epic theatre was famous for employing the alienation or distancing effect. This means that to urge the audience to think critically and unemotionally about the issues presented, Brecht worked to counteract the illusion of reality and an audience’s tendency to become immersed in the story and the characters. How does this manifest in the play? What specific tactics does the play use to remind the audience that they are in the theatre watching a play?

Considering the issues that the play raises, how relevant do you think The Good Woman of Setzuan remains today? If you were directing a production now, what would you emphasize? Is there anything that seems outdated or might need to be changed?