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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 the setting of Scene 12?

2. In Madame Butterfly, how old is Butterfly?

3. What does Butterfly use to kill herself in the opera?

4. What is Song's full name?

5. In grammar school, what title was Gallimard given?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is it ever clear if Gallimard knew Song was a man?

2. How does Chin's point of view of Song's service to the Revolution differ from Song's?

3. How does Gallimard feel about having a baby with Song? How does he feel when he sees the baby for the first time?

4. What are Chin's plans for Song after her time in the commune?

5. What seems to be other people's opinion of Gallimard? Does he reflect that same opinion?

6. How has Helga's opinion on China changed when she and Gallimard return to France?

7. Why was Song beaten? What were Chin's choices for further punishment for Song?

8. Why does Gallimard want Song to say she is his Butterfly?

9. In the plot of the opera Madame Butterfly, what is the relationship between Pinkerton and Sharpless? How does that story relate to Gallimard?

10. What is the difference of Toulon living "in China," and Gallimard living "with the Chinese?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Song creates an involved web of lies to trap Gallimard. Song portrays little regard for the lives of others.

1. What are Song's major characteristics? How do those characteristics develop and change as the plot goes on?

2. What are some of the tactics Song uses to get what she wants? How do her needs change?

3. What are Song's motives behind her entrapment of Gallimard? Personal? Political? Do her ethics ever conflict with her goals?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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