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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 an important fact that Toulon wants Gallimard to know about their jobs at the embassy?

2. How does Toulon say Gallimard has changed?

3. What didn't Gallimard like about Song's second letter?

4. What kind of woman did Gallimard marry?

5. How long did it take before Gallimard went to see Song perform at the opera house?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Why does Song consider Gallimard her greatest acting challenge?

3. How does Song talk Gallimard out of marriage?

4. How do Gallimard and his wife agree in regards to their opinion of the Chinese people?

5. Why does Gallimard want to see Song fully naked?

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

7. In the end, who does Gallimard cast as the role of Madame Butterfly? Why?

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

9. Why is Song's invitation to for Gallimardto enter her apartment so serious for her?

10. Why does Helga want Gallimard to visit the doctor? How do their wants differ in Act 2, Scene 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a distinct relationship that is established between Song and Gallimard that relates to the stereotypical relationship between the East ("the Orient") and the West.

1. Gallimard's view of his relationship can be translated as give and take. What is it that Gallimard offers to Song in their relationship? What does she give him in exchange?

2. How does the relationship between Gallimard and his Butterfly reflect the relationship between the East and West?

Essay Topic 2

Who is the Butterfly in M. Butterfly? Write an essay backing your argument.

1. At the beginning of the play, who does Gallimard cast as Butterfly? What is his reasoning for doing so?

2. Who does Gallimard claim is the Butterfly at the conclusion of the story? Describe how and why the situation has changed during the progression of the story.

3. Describe Hwang's use of symbolism during Gallimard donning of the Butterfly costume at the play's conclusion.

4. Do you feel Hwang's choices were strong? How would you choose to end the play?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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