Summary
Prologue
In the opening act of J. B., we are introduced to Mr. Zuss and
Nickles, two carnival workers in a shabby circus. Zuss sells balloons, while
Nickles hawks popcorn. They climb onto a sideshow platform to reenact the
biblical tale of Job, transforming the stage into Heaven, the earth beneath
into Earth, and the lights into stars. Zuss, whose name echoes "Zeus," the
ancient Greek deity, assumes the role of God with an air of arrogance befitting
someone who deems himself fit for such a part. He is particularly bemused by
the notion that Job would dare question divine justice.
Scene 1
Nickles, by contrast, empathizes with Job's plight and challenges the idea that God inflicts suffering merely to reinforce His omnipotence. As Nickles poignantly sings, "If God is God He is not good, / If God is good, He is not God,’’ the paradox of the play is laid bare. His name, a nod to "Old Nick," a colloquial name for the devil, hints at his role as Satan. Together, Zuss and Nickles highlight the perpetual search for someone to assume Job's trials.
Donning masks from a collection of costumes, Zuss and Nickles prepare for their roles. The God-mask is white with closed eyes symbolizing indifference, while the Satan-mask is dark with open eyes, representing perception. Their dialogues are drawn from the King James Bible. As darkness engulfs the stage, a Distant Voice intones, "Whence comest thou?" echoing the words of God, and soon Zuss and Nickles take their places as the lights fade.
Scene 2
The spotlight shifts to J.B., a successful banker, and his family celebrating Thanksgiving. This prosperous New England family gathers around a festive table, where Sarah, J.B.'s wife, urges their children to express gratitude for their blessings. She believes there's a reciprocal arrangement with God: "If we do our part He does His," emphasizing that failing to acknowledge God invites punishment. J.B., however, views his success as a divine gift, feeling his role is to revel in life's abundance.
Scene 3
We return to Zuss and Nickles, who dismiss the acting prowess of J.B. Nonetheless, he remains their "pigeon," destined to embody Job. Nickles is convinced J.B.'s faith will falter once he loses his fortune, paralleling Job's story, but Zuss contends that J.B. will continue to praise God despite his trials. Nickles questions the necessity of Job's suffering if God already knows Job's unwavering faith. Zuss insists that Job must endure the trials to truly perceive God.
Scene 4
Years pass, and two inebriated soldiers deliver tragic news to J.B. and Sarah: their eldest son, David, has died, not heroically but accidentally at the hands of his comrades. Sarah grapples with the reality of her loss, while J.B. remains in denial. Nickles prompts them to challenge God, but his words go unheard.
Scene 5
Reporters direct a young "Girl" to intercept J.B. and Sarah, ensuring they are caught on camera when informed of another tragedy: their children Mary and Jonathan have died in a car crash. Sarah is devastated, questioning God's motives, while Nickles observes with satisfaction. Despite the heartbreak, J.B. clings to his faith, asserting, "Take the good and not the evil." He attempts to comfort Sarah, who recoils from his embrace.
Scene 6
J.B. and Sarah face more anguish as two police officers, representing biblical messengers, inform them of their youngest child's disappearance. J.B. delayed alerting the police, hoping to find Rebecca himself. Sarah, bitter, laments their misplaced faith in luck, which has failed them. They learn Rebecca has been brutally murdered, leaving J.B. to mutter, "The Lord giveth, the...
(This entire section contains 1028 words.)
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Lord taketh away," yet he cannot complete the familiar refrain.
Scene 7
Sarah is delivered to J.B., rescued from a building collapse caused by a bombing that decimated a city block. With their bank destroyed and their last child, Ruth, gone, J.B. implores Sarah to say, "The Lord giveth. The Lord taketh away." But Sarah, overwhelmed by loss, cries out in pain, while J.B. finishes the line, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."
Scene 8
Zuss and Nickles critique J.B.'s actions; Zuss is satisfied, while Nickles is disenchanted. Although they reenact a well-known tale, Nickles anticipates a different ending, suspecting J.B.’s faith will falter when faced with personal agony. As their debate slows the play, the Distant Voice resumes, prompting them to continue.
Scene 9
J.B. lies destitute post-apocalypse, with Sarah weeping beside him. Onlookers observe their sad decline, while J.B. remains bewildered by his suffering. Nickles notes that understanding God's motives—causing an innocent man to suffer—would lead J.B. to despair. Sarah rejects the notion that their misfortunes are deserved, urging J.B. to "curse God and die" before leaving to end her own life. Abandoned, J.B. pleads with God to reveal his wrongdoing.
Scene 10
In a nod to the biblical narrative, three comforters—Zophar the priest, Eliphaz the psychiatrist, and Bildad the Marxist—arrive to offer hollow consolation, furthering J.B.'s despair. Desperate, J.B. cries, "God, my God, my God, answer me!" The Distant Voice answers, demanding J.B. repent for questioning God. J.B. complies, acknowledging his repentance with a line from scripture.
Scene 11
With the wager concluded, Nickles concedes Zuss's victory, though Zuss is unsettled by it. He realizes Job's forgiveness of God speaks more of Job's character than divine power. Discouraged, Zuss prepares to leave the stage, but Nickles reminds him of the final scene. In the biblical retelling, Job's fortunes are restored, but Nickles doubts J.B. will accept it, suspecting he will reject the risk of future loss. However, J.B. is drawn to a presence at his door.
Conclusion
Breaking the typical play-within-a-play format, J.B. and Sarah share the concluding scene without interference. Sarah, clutching a blooming forsythia branch, recounts finding hope when she intended to drown herself. She returns to J.B., telling him, "You wanted justice and there was none— / Only love." Together, they realize that enlightenment and affection dwell within human hearts, not divinity. Reconciled, they embrace and begin cleaning their stage, a symbol of moving forward.