Characters from M. Butterfly

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Comrade Chin - The Chinese Communist Party official who obtains top secret information from Song.

Rene Gallimard - An unimpressive and unattractive person; uncomfortable in his relations with the women. This character serves as the narrator of the play.

Helga - This character is originally from Australia and yearns to have a child.

Judge - At the trial in Paris in 1986, this person questions Song about his relationship with Gallimard.

Song Liling - A Chinese singer and actor. This character seduces the French ambassador while secretly passing along information to the...
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