M.Butterfly Reflective Essay

Kyle Mansour M.Butterfly Response

Dr. Gomaa

Reading a play like M. Butterfly could leave a person with many different perceptions of what the author was actually trying to get across. Hwang uses the common, awkward male to expose the racial stereotypes, ego stereotypes, and hostility between the "Western" lifestyle and morals. "…I felt for the first time that rush of power-the absolute power of a man." (Hwang 32). Versus the traditional "Oriental" way of living that 1960's China forced upon their citizens, especially on women. "I am out of words. I can hide behind dignity no longer. What do you want? I have already given you my shame." (Hwang 35). His use of direct narration by Gallimard painted the picture in my mind of his implications on the world, ultimately leading me past the jail cell bars and into big picture he was trying to prove. Finding the perfect woman, finding the inner aggressive-male ego that society has stereotyped most men to be, or eventually even figuring out what you perceive as heinous could be so beautiful under wraps.

When first reading the question to define the meaning of "the perfect women" it's hard to analyze because of every human being's sense of uniqueness. After further reading and understanding of the play and getting to know the character of Gallimard more you begin to see what sort of love he truly longs for. "Reading it, I became suddenly ashamed. Yes, my experiment had been a success. She was turning on my needle. But the victory seemed hollow." (Hwang 36). This quote shows Gallimard's tough exterior as he's trying to play Song for a fool, playing hard to get, making her long and suffer for his love and succeeds in doing so, but his true colors are shown as he felt pity for hurting someone he truly cared for and coming to the realization of it. "…But mostly we would talk. About my life. Perhaps there is nothing more rare than to find a woman who passionately listens." (Hwang 49). Here Gallimard...