'M Butterfly' by David Henry Hwang

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the gender conflict in the play 'M Butterfly' by David Henry Hwang. According to the paper, this work is based on the romantic relationship of Song and Gallimard. In many ways, Gallimard offers a typical sexist male gender role behavior toward the typically female, Song. These gender norms appear to be colluding in unison for the couple, but are ultimately destroyed when Gallimard learns if his lovers true sex. This provides the foundation for gender norms, and Hwang reverses these roles in a clever plot twist through romance, espionage, and culture.

From the Paper:

"This drama study will analyze the gender conflict that arises within the play: M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. Much of the play revolves around Song, and her unique ability to seduce Gallimard with her submissive and seemingly passive female behaviors. However, the backdrop to her femininity is merely a mask for the male gender intrigue that surrounds her real identity as a man. In this study, the basis of gender conflict within this story reveals the darker side of male-female relationships through the conflicting masquerades of character identity within this play by David Henry Hwang. The initial and defining role of Song in this play revolves around the imperialistic sexism of Rene Gallimard, a French diplomat traveling through China. "

More papers on 'M Butterfly' by David Henry Hwang:

• Essay # 13519 : "M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang"
• Analytical Essay # 11717 : "M Butterfly" by David Henry Hwang"
• Analytical Essay # 120858 : "Themes in "M. Butterfly"

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