Despite all of his infinite power, God cannot control the actions of J.B. Even in the humble act of repentance to God J.B. chooses to repent, instead of being forced. As Mr. Zuss remarks, "He repented. It was him-Not the fear of God but him!"(139). Mr. Zuss has noticed that Job chooses by his own accord and not because of loyalty to God. Mr. Zuss contemplates his role as God and uses a metaphor to explain J.B.'s actions. He says that J.B. "Gentled me the way a farmhand Gentles a bulging, bulging Bull" (138). God is compared to a bull that is angered and seems distrustful. This image fits with MacLeish's image of God because he saw lots of destruction during the two wars of his lifetime. He views God as a destructive force who allowed the violent wars to continue. In this metaphor the "farmhand" refers to J.B. who is not only superior to God in this metaphor but also is calming God who is always in control in The Book of Job. Contrary to The Book of Job, which always reinforces God's wisdom, J.B. advocates personal perseverance.
This segment is not about God's greatness but instead J.B.'s moving on with his life. Nickles says that the only victory God had to win was Job overcoming his loss. "The choice is swallowing this swell of world Or vomiting in the trough. Job swallowed it, that's your triumph!" (139). This is a metaphor that says that Job could move on or he could destroy himself in his own pity. J.B.'s suffering is compared to the ocean and he can either drown in it or swallow it, in other worlds he can let it consume him or he can persevere through, swallow his self pity, and move on with his life. By the end of the extract Nickles come to the realization that "Job has chosen how to choose"(141). J.B. has effectively made his own fate. He chose what he wanted to do with the pain he had endured.
Archibald MacLeish wrote the play J.B. to provide a new outlook on the figure of God. In MacLeish's play God is seen as flawed, even though most portray God as the perfect being. Macleish Is only able to show Gods flaw through his use of satire. Macleish uses Nickles as his own personal voice saying that God had destroyed "the perfect and upright man". This Is making fun of Gods actions because God Is supposed to be the Almighty, the one that brings justice among mortals and here he Is committing unjust actions against a man that had followed him without ever disobeying him. Through out the whole play, Mr. Zuss Is shown as being one of Gods biggest supporters but In Scene 10, he becomes disappointed In God and his actions saying "Is god to be forgiven?(140)". This comes to show that God Is flawed and men have to be responsible for their destiny because If put In the hands of God, their lives might run amok.
Macleish shows his purpose effectively through the use of several literary devices. He achieves the main purpose of this segment, which is not to highlight the flaws in God's wisdom but instead to argue the power of the ordinary man.
