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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. How was the woman Isabelle important in Gallimard's life?

2. By whom does Gallimard believe he has been loved?

3. What does Song say she has never done before?

4. What was Gallimard's instinct when he saw Song perform Madame Butterfly?

5. Why did Isabelle have sex with Gallimard?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Chinese opera differ from the performance Gallimard saw at the ambassador's house?

2. Describe the character of Renee.

3. 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?

4. How does Gallimard's character change at the end of Scene 10?

5. What is Song's opinion on how managed to change Gallimard's destiny?

6. In the story of Madame Butterfly, how is Butterfly treated by Pinkerton?

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

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

9. Why did Song take so much care in her first appearance to Gallimard when he finds him in France?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Gallimard's sexuality plays a major role in the plot of the play.

1. What seems to be Gallimard's sexual relationship with his wife? How does it differ from what he shares with Song? How is it different from his sexual encounters with Renee? How about Isabelle?

2. What is the importance of the men's magazine model who strips for Gallimard in his fantasy?

3. Marc is conjured up to encourage Gallimard's lustful nature. Although their characters are different, how are their wants similar? Why does Gallimard feel the need to imagine these interactions with his old school friend?

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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