Irony

The Good Woman of Setzuan suggests that a society’s morality is determined by its economic systems. This theme is introduced in the prologue. When Shen Te complains to the gods, "But everything is so expensive, I don't feel sure I can do it!" the second god responds, "That's not our sphere. We never meddle with economics." However, the first god immediately contradicts him and they decide to give her some money to make it easier for her to be good. This irony blurs the distinction between the morality of "goodness" that the gods are searching for and economics.