The unemployed man is an elderly resident of Setzuan who dresses in rags. Shen Te often helps the unemployed man out by giving him free rice and tobacco. He is always scheming of ways to make money and outsmart those around him, yet often ends up resorting to freeloading to get by.
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The Unemployed Man Character Timeline in The Good Woman of Setzuan
The timeline below shows where the character The Unemployed Man appears in The Good Woman of Setzuan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Scene 1
A shabby, old, unemployed man enters. He asks Shen Te if there are any damaged cigarettes he can take for...
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Scene 4
...are two other shops nearby: a carpet shop and a barber. The grandfather, the sister-in-law, the unemployed man , and Mrs. Shin wait outside Shen Te’s. The sister-in-law remarks that Shen Te has...
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...Te apologizes for not seeing it sooner. She suggests taking Wong to a doctor, but the unemployed man suggests Wong visit a lawyer instead—he can sue the “filthy rich” barber. All he will...
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Scene 7
...is closing down and that they will have to move to Shu Fu’s terrible cabins. The unemployed man enters and, upon seeing the shop is closing, suggests Shen Te call upon Shui Ta...
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The carpenter and the unemployed man drag the sacks of tobacco back across the stage. The carpenter begrudgingly says that he’s...
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Scene 10
...there is any “less favorable” evidence. Wong, the carpenter, the old man and old woman, the unemployed man , the sister-in-law, and the niece come forward. The policeman whispers to the first god...
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