M. Butterfly Chapter Summary & Analysis - Act 2, Scenes 1, 2, 3 and 4 Summary

Act 2, Scenes 1, 2, 3 and 4 Summary

After a brief commentary on Madame Butterfly, these scenes set in motion the action that eventually sends Gallimard to prison - his passing on of military secrets to Song.

Scene 1 - Back in his prison cell, Gallimard reads critical comments about Madame Butterfly condemning Pinkerton. He comments that while men "may all want to kick Pinkerton, very few [men] would pass up the opportunity to BE Pinkerton."

Scene 2 - Gallimard reveals that he rents an apartment for Song where he can visit her. The action shifts to one of their visits. Song tells Gallimard the Chinese government deliberately keeps the citizens, particularly the women, uneducated, and says she longs to know more, to know the world. She asks him to tell her everything he knows. Gallimard becomes uneasy, and the action transitions seamlessly into the following scene.

Scene 3 - As Song watches from the apartment, Gallimard and...
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