View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. In the first scene of the play, how old is Gallimard?

3. What does Song claim she has given to Gallimard?

4. What does Song say is undervalued in the West?

5. What does Song say about the soul of China?

Short Essay Questions

1. After seeing Song for the first time on stage, how does Gallimard react to her?

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

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. Why does Song need Chin to acquire a baby for her? What kind of baby does it need to be?

6. Define the "Rape Mentality" that Song describes in the courtroom.

7. How does Marc's marriage and his treatment of women and that of Gallimard's differ?

8. How does the nature of Gallimard and Song's relationship develop through Act 1?

9. What does Song say she wants to do by the end of her encounter with Chin in Act 2, Scene 9? Is this her own choice?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gallimard claims he is pure imagination. Write an essay on what Hwang meant to portray with this plot development.

1. Do you believe Gallimard knew Song was a man? Cite examples from the story that back your argument.

2. What changes when Gallimard finally sees Song naked? How does he treat Song? How does his opinion on Song changed? According to Gallimard, what was the mistake that Song made?

3. How does Song react to Gallimard's attitude toward him?

4. How does the fantasy world different from the reality of Gallimard's situation? Which does he choose? Why?

5. What does Gallimard mean when he is "pure imagination?"

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Nearing the end of Act 2, Helga and Gallimard have an altercation involving the changing face of the country. Gallimard seems unable to find happiness in his life in France, and Helga seems lost as well, unable to understand the political upheaval that has followed them from the Eastern world.

1. How was life different for Gallimard and Helga during their time in China? How has France changed in the time they were away? How are the two countries similar?

2. How does Gallimard react to Helga's opinion of their two homes? What does Gallimard want that Helga cannot provide?

3. How does this interaction reflect the larger picture of international changes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,053 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample