Nov 18, 2008

M. Butterfly | Act I, Scenes 7-13: Summary and Analysis

New Characters
Ambassador Toulon: Gallimard’s boss at the Beijing embassy.

Summary
Scene 7 opens with Gallimard and his wife discussing the arrogance of the Chinese in general and specifically Gallimard’s recollections of Song.. Helga points out the contradiction in this woman performing as a character she hates and believes false.

His curiosity piqued by his wife’s questions, Gallimard attends a Chinese opera in which Song is performing in scene 8. He is the only Westerner in the opera house, and Song addresses him derisively. The two exchange aggressive,...