The Good Woman Of Setzuan

At the beginning of the Prologue, Wang, the water-seller in the city of Setzuan, addresses the audience. Wang’s job is difficult since times of drought make water difficult to procure and times of rain lessen the demand for water. However, in the city of Setzuan, “there is nothing unusual about poverty” (3). Wang is waiting by the road because he has learned that a group of gods is visiting the province, and he wants to meet them before they are beset with the rest of the people in the village. The three gods arrive and tell Wang that they need lodging for the night. Although Wang assures them that everyone in the city will be clamoring to house them, Wang is turned away by three different homes, each time making up an excuse as to why the person will not take the gods in. The gods see through his excuses and Wang claims that those who refuse them are afraid of their judgement, especially considering that Kwan, another province, has had decades of flooding due to their lack of faith. The second god replies, “Nonsense.