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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Gallimard thinking when he is having sex with Isabelle?

2. What is Song afraid of as she is entertaining Gallimard in her parlor?

3. What is the job that Gallimard is promoted to?

4. In what year does Scene 4 take place?

5. In Madame Butterfly, what are the last words Butterfly sings before she kills herself?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Renee's candor about sexuality and the human anatomy differ from Galliamard's?

2. How does Song's opinion of Madame Butterfly differ from Gallimard's?

3. How does Song seem to feel when compared to Western women? How does this relate to her own education and upbringing?

4. Why is Gallimard's experiment with Song considered a success when she claims that she has given him her shame?

5. What is the premise for Gallimard's favorite musical, Madame Butterfly?

6. What does Gallimard's experience with Isabelle reflect his sex life as a whole?

7. How is the character of Isabelle important?

8. How has the relationship between Marc and Gallimard changed during the course of the play?

9. In the opera, how does the character of Butterfly look on Pinkerton?

10. What does Gallimard believe when Song says "...sometimes it is also mutual" and why does it surprise him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Renee is the young and beautiful student that Gallimard carries on an "extra extramarital affair" with. She differs greatly from every other female character in the play. Write an essay on the relationship Gallimard has with Renee and her importance within the structure of his story.

1. How is Renee characterized during her first meeting with Gallimard? How comfortable is she with her personality and her sexuality?

2. What is Gallimard's reason for carrying on this affair? How does he feel about Renee?

3. Why do you believe Hwang chose for this character to have the same first name as Gallimard?

Essay Topic 2

Gallimard serves as the narrator throughout the play. The fantasies and flashbacks are his. Write a characterization of Gallimard and how he fits in with the structure of the play.

1. What was Gallimard's life like growing up? How did his days as a youth help to create the man he is now?

2. Describe Gallimard's relationship with women. Is Gallimard an attractive man? How does his physical appearance reflect his place in society? How does he talk to women? What is his sex drive like?

3. Descibe Gallimard's relationship with his wife. Why did he marry her? What is his opinion of love? How does that affect his interactions with other characters and his actions in the play?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the theme of parenthood in the play.

1. Why does Helga want to have a baby? Why does she want Gallimard to see a doctor? Why is there conflict over this?

2. Does Gallimard want to be a father? Why or why not?

3. What are Song's motives for "mothering" Gallimard's child? How does introducing a baby change the stakes for Gallimard and Song?

(see the answer keys)

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