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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. According to Gallimard, who wrote Madame Butterfly?

2. What it the setting of Scene 6?

3. Who appears in Gallimard's dream in Scene 9?

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

5. What is Gallimard thinking when he is having sex with Isabelle?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Gallimard mean when he says he has become a celebrity?

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

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

5. How do the actions within the play prove Song's theory that all a man wants from a woman is to submit, and that will result in him recanting his demands?

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

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

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

9. How does Song's opinion of Madame Butterfly differ from Gallimard's?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The character of Comrade Chin represents the Communist politics of China. She enforces the law and the needs of her country, which causes many of the plot elements in M. Butterfly.

1. How does Comrade Chin represent the politics of the time period? How does she represent the changing values of the country?

2. How does Chin differ from the fantasy that Song puts forth regarding the ideal woman? What does she think of Song's role in her society? What does she think of Song's tactics? How does she react to Song's opinion on women?

3. Why does Chin have Song beaten? How do Chin's actions affect the plot?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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