J. B. A Play in Verse
J. B. A Play in Verse by Archibald MacLeish, published by Houghton Mifflin in 1958, presents a dramatic exploration of faith and suffering. This later printing edition contains 153 pages and is written in English. The narrative unfolds within a circus tent, where two vendors, Zuss and Nickles, take on the roles of God and Satan, respectively. They observe the life of J.B., a prosperous banker whose fortunes change drastically, leading to a profound examination of his beliefs and the nature of divine justice.
Readers will find that the play delves into themes of faith, loss, and the search for meaning in adversity. As J.B. faces the devastation of his life, he is confronted by three Comforters who represent different perspectives on his suffering. Ultimately, the story emphasizes J.B.’s rejection of their explanations and his reliance on the support of his wife, Sarah, as they strive to rebuild their lives together. This edition invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human experience and the interplay between faith and despair within the context of American drama.
Official synopsis Publisher
The play opens in “a corner inside an enormous circus tent”. Two vendors, Mr. Zuss (evoking the chief Greek god Zeus) and Nickles (i.e. “Old Nick,” a folk name for the Devil) begin the play-within-a-play by assuming the roles of God and Satan, respectively. They overhear J.B., a wealthy New York banker, describe his prosperity as a just reward for his faithfulness to God. Scorning him, Nickles wagers that J.B. will curse God if his life is ruined. Nickles and Zuss then watch as J.B.’s children are killed and his property is ruined and the former millionaire is left to the streets. J.B. is then visited by three Comforters: Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar (representing history, science, and religion), who each offer a different explanation for his plight. J.B. declines to believe any of them, instead asking God himself to explain. Instead, he encounters Zuss and Nickles. Nickles urges him to commit suicide to spite God; Zuss offers him his old life back if he will promise to obey God. J.B. rejects them both, and instead finds comfort in the person of his wife Sarah. The play ends with the two building a new life together.
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