Brecht, one of the great classics of the 20th century

In an imaginary China, three gods visit the country in search of a good person. Satisfied at meeting the young Shen Te, who has welcomed them to her house, they reward the girl with money on the condition that she always lives a good life. Thanks to the small fortune they have given her, Shen Te gives up prostitution to open a tobacconist’s. But very soon the miserable existence of her fellow citizens makes it very difficult to honour the command of the gods.

With this emblematic epic play, Bertolt Brecht offers an uncomfortable reflection. What are the limits of good intentions, especially when they do not forcefully and pragmatically confront material difficulties?