M. Butterfly | M. Butterfly

At a glance:

Author: David Henry Hwang
First Published: 1988
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: 1988, with flashbacks to Beijing, 1960-1970; Paris, 1966-1988; and Aix-en-Provence, 1947
Setting: Beijing, Paris, and Aix-en-Provence
Principal Characters: René Gallimard, Song Liling, Marc, Helga, Renée Gallimarde
Genres: Social realism, Drama, Psychological drama
Subjects: Racism, Sexism, Homosexuality or homosexuals, Asia or Asians, Vietnam War, Singing or singers, Stereotypes, Androgyny, Imperialism, Diplomacy or diplomats, Opera, operas, or operettas
Locales: Paris, France, Beijing, China, Aix-en-Provence, France

The Play

From prison in Paris, René Gallimard looks back on his life, especially the love relationship and espionage trial that have made him the laughing stock of the world. Gallimard recalls his years of work in the French embassy in Beijing, where he developed an intimate relationship with Song Liling—a relationship made extraordinary by Gallimard’s faulty perception of the Chinese opera star’s sexual identity.

Gallimard recalls his first encounter with Song at the German ambassador’s house in Beijing in 1960. Song’s performance of the death scene from...

M. Butterfly | M. Butterfly

At a glance:

The Play

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