Thesis:
Through observing the dimensions of the play format between A Distant Voice, Godmask, Satanmask, and J.B. in Archibald MacLeigh’s “J.B.”, the biblical book of Job is transformed into modern terms to explain the relationship between God and man.
Outside Sources:
“MacLeish’s J.B.- Is it a Modern Job?” http://ezproxy.bucknell.edu/login?qurl=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24776201
“J.B., Job, and the Biblical Doctrine of Man” http://ezproxy.bucknell.edu/login?qurl=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1460352
Potential Text Excerpts:
A Distant Voice: “Whence comest thou?” Mr. Zuss: “That’s my line?” Nickles: “I didn’t speak it” (24).
Godmask: in a furious, great voice, arm thrown out in a gesture of contemptuous commitment “Behold! All that he hath is in thy power!” The Satan-shadow bows mockingly; raises its two arms, advances until the shadows become one shadow. The light fades. Suddenly, out of the darkness The Distant Voice of the Prologue. The Distant Voice: “Only…” Silence. Godmask: “Only Upon himself Put not forth thy hand!” (52).
The platform. As the platform light comes on, the figures fade from the canvas sky and Mr. Zuss and Nickles straighten up, lifting their masks off, stretching, yawning. Mr. Zuss: “Well, that’s our pigeon.” Nickles: “Lousy actor.” Mr. Zuss: “Doesn’t really act at all” (44).
Out of the rushing sound, the Distant Voice; J.B. cowers as he hears it, his rags over his hand. The Distant Voice: “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?…Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth…” (128).
J.B. lifts his hand: he is listening but not to Nickles: “None of them knew the truth as Job does. None of them had his cause to know. J.B.: Listen! Do you hear? There’s someone… Nickles: violently Job won’t take it! Job won’t touch it! Job will fling it in God’s face will hall his guts to make it spatter! He’d rather suffocate in dung- Choke in ordure-” J.B.: rising “There is someone- Someone waiting at the door” Nickles: pulling his cap down, rising slowly “I know.” The dangling lights dim out. (148).