THE OBJECT OUTSIDE THE SELF: A STUDY OF COMMODIFICATION IN BRECHT’S THE GOOD WOMAN OF SETZUAN

Abstract

Financial instability and economic inequality are among the most pervasive consequences of the capitalist system. This study examines the phenomenon of commodification in Brecht's play The Good Woman of Setzuan to explore socio-economic factors that lead to the transformation of human values, relationships, and identities into trade items. Furthermore, its focus is on exploring the destructive impacts of commodification on the lives of characters within the play. Guided by Marx’s concept of commodification, which serves as a theoretical framework, this study employs the method of Textual Analysis to critically evaluate the play. The findings reveal that the play presents a corrupt capitalist society in which almost everything, like love, human relationships, human values, and even human beings, is commoditized. The capitalist structures in the play give birth to commodification and put price tags on everything. The characters sell and buy everything. The analysis reveals that commodification has negative effects on the characters' lives. It not only gives rise to a range of social problems, including prostitution, violence, deceit, selfishness, starvation, unemployment, but also causes the erosion of empathy and moral integrity.

Keywords: Capitalist system, Commodification, Economic inequality, Financial instability, Social issues