M. Butterfly, a Play by David Henry Hwang

M. Butterfly is a play written by David Henry Hwang. The drama won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1988. The Setting The play is set in a prison in present-day France. (Note: The play was written in the late 1980s.) The audience travels back to 1960s and 1970s Beijing, via the memories and dreams of the main character. The Basic Plot Shamed and imprisoned, 65-year-old Rene Gallimard contemplates the events that led to a shocking and embarrassing international scandal. While working for the French embassy in China, Rene fell in love with a beautiful Chinese performer. For over twenty years, they carried on a sexual relationship, and over the decades, the performer stole secrets on behalf of the Chinese communist party. But heres the shocking part: the performer was a female impersonator, and Gallimard claimed that he never knew he had been living with a man all those years. How could the Frenchman maintain a sexual relationship for over two decades without learning the truth? Based on a True Story? In the playwright notes at the beginning of the published edition of M. Butterfly, it explains that the story was initially inspired by real events: a French diplomat named Bernard Bouriscot fell in love with an opera singer whom he believed for twenty years to be a woman (quoted in Hwang). Both men were convicted of espionage. In Hwangs afterward, he explains that the news article sparked an idea for a story, and from that point the playwright stopped doing research on the actual events, wanting to create his own answers to the questions many had about the diplomat and his lover. In addition to its non-fictional roots, the play is also a clever deconstruction of the Puccini opera, Madama Butterfly. Fast Track to Broadway Most shows make it to Broadway after a long period of development. M. Butterfly had the good fortune of having a true believer and benefactor from the beginning. Producer Stuart Ostrow funded the project early on; he admired the finished process so much that he launched a production in Washington D.C., followed by a Broadway premiere weeks later in March of 1988 - less than two years after Hwang first discovered the international story. When this play was on Broadway, many audiences were fortunate enough to witness the incredible performance of BD Wong starring as Song Liling, the seductive opera singer. Today, the political commentary may fascinate  more than the sexual idiosyncrasies of the characters. Themes of M. Butterfly Hwangs play says much about humanitys propensity for desire, self-deception, betrayal, and regret. According to the playwright, the drama also penetrates the common myths of eastern and western civilization, as well as the myths about gender identity. Myths About the East The character of Song knows that France and the rest of the Western world perceive Asian cultures as submissive, wanting — even hoping — to be dominated by a powerful foreign nation. Gallimard and his superiors grossly underestimate China and Vietnams ability to adapt, defend, and counterattack in the face of adversity. When Song is brought forth to explain his actions to a French judge, the opera singer implies that Gallimard deceived himself about his lovers true sex because Asia is not considered a masculine culture in comparison to Western Civilization. These false beliefs prove detrimental to both the protagonist and the nations he represents. Myths About the West Song is a reluctant member of Chinas communist revolutionaries, who see the westerners as domineering imperialists bent on the moral corruption of the East. However, if Monsieur Gallimard is emblematic of Western Civilization, his despotic tendencies are tempered with a desire to be accepted, even at the cost of supplication. Another myth of the west is that nations in Europe and North America thrive by generating conflict in other countries. Yet, throughout the play, the French characters (and their government) constantly wish to avoid conflict, even if it means they must deny reality in order to attain a facade of peace. Myths About Men and Women Breaking the fourth wall, Gallimard frequently reminds the audience that he has been loved by the perfect woman. Yet, the so-called perfect female turns out to be very male. Song is a clever actor who knows the exact qualities most men desire in an ideal woman. Here are some of the characteristics Song exhibits to ensnare Gallimard: Physical beautyShrewdness which gives way to submissivenessSelf-sacrificeA combination of modesty and sexinessThe ability to produce offspring (specifically a son) By the end of the play, Gallimard comes to terms with the truth. He realizes that Song is just a man and a cold, mentally abusive one at that. Once he identifies the difference between fantasy and reality, the protagonist chooses fantasy, entering into his own private little world where he becomes the tragic Madame Butterfly.

Kate Chopin The Awakening Analysis - 1114 Words

Kate Chopin –The Awakening Edna’s irresponsible quest for happiness The Novel â€Å"The Awakening† written by Kate Chopin is a well written novel that discusses the inner thoughts and actions of Edna’s determination to find herself and happiness. As with most women having their day to day issue with friends and family or contact with men on the outside world other than their husbands, most women do walk away with the fear of not breaking their homes and most also cave into the temptations, an unsatisfied Edna longs for something to sweep her off her feet. When it does, in the form of fresh love Robert, Edna realizes that she must†¦show more content†¦What makes Edna’s character trait of irresponsibility only that (as opposed to purposeful neglect or crassness) is that she sees her quest to discover herself as something of the highest importance. She still wishes to maintain a good relationship, especially with her children, but her trait of irresponsibility does not permit this. In addition to being irrespons ible, Edna is also very childish. , her childishness is more related to her emotional immaturity and the interest in being free to whatever she pleases without any attachment to her kids or husband . The moment of Edna has realization that she is unhappy and wants to be free is her action of spending time with her friend, Robert, whom she falls in love with. Even though he leaves, she has made her decision to live a more free life and she moves into her own apartment, away from her husband and children and takes a lover. There are serious conflicts at this point between Victorian society and she is judged harshly and condemned by almost everyone. This leads her to eventually grow depressed and aware that she will never be completely able to escape the expectations laid upon her. She is constantly wavering between her concerns for her own self-development and realization and the more petty concerns of what others around her think and how she is perceived. This conflict is never fully resolved. The way the main character chooses to resolve itShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis Of The Awakening By Kate Chopin851 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The Awakening† By Kate Chopin is the story of a woman learning to follow herself. Kate Chopin creates a character named Edna who is coming to herself about who she truly is. In the story Edna, the woman, moves everything out of her path, in a very rebellious fashion, in order to grow as an individual. Chapter 19 of â€Å"The Awakening† is the midway point of the story. This chapter is Edna’s breaking point, where she comes to the realization that she does not need to follow the ways of society. Read MoreAnalysis Of Proto-Feminism In The Awakening By Kate Chopin838 Words   |  4 Pagesperiod, The Awakening written by Kate Chopin in 1899 justifies this philosophy. 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Chopin shows that in the times of these stories the institution of marriage, although sacred, places a restraint on true love because the conventionsRead More Essay on The Awakening712 Words   |  3 PagesCritical Views of The Awakening      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Awakening, written by Kate Chopin, is full of ideas and understanding about human nature. In Chopins time, writing a story with such great attention to sensual details in both men and women caused skepticism among readers and critics. However, many critics have different views with deeper thought given to The Awakening. Symbolism, the interpretation of Ednas suicide, and awakenings play important roles in the analysis of all critics.    SymbolismRead MoreSt. Louis And New Orleans1606 Words   |  7 PagesKate Chopin was born Katherine O’Flaherty on February 8, 1851, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a socially prominent family with roots in the French past of both St. Louis and New Orleans. Her father, Thomas O’Flaherty, an immigrant from Ireland, had lived in New York and Illinois before settling in St. Louis, where he prospered as the owner of a commission house. In 1839, he married into a well-known Creole family, members of the city’s social elite, but his wife died in childbirth only a year laterRead MoreAn Examination Of How Kate Chopin s Work1298 Words   |  6 PagesENGL 1102 – Comp/Lit Essay 2 (Mulry) Sellers, James R – 920022413 Due Date: April 20, 2015 An Examination of How Kate Chopin’s Works Taken Together Contribute to our Understanding of Her Time and the Place of Women in Society Looking at themes present in his short stories and novels, Kate Chopin presents examples of female strength and an assertive rebellion to the social norms during the late 1800s. By seeking to transparently and boldly portray the risquà © behavior of her lead characters, whichRead MoreThe Awakening: An Emergence of Womens RIghts in the Late Nineteenth Century1330 Words   |  6 PagesThe Awakening: An Emergence of Women’s Rights in the Late Nineteenth Century Kate Chopin’s The Awakening addresses the role of women within society during the late nineteenth century. The novel is set in South Louisiana, a place where tradition and culture also play a vital role in societal expectations. The novel’s protagonist, Edna Pontellier, initially fulfills her position in society as a wife and as a mother while suppressing her urges to live a life of passion and freedom. Edna’s relationshipRead MoreThe Life and Works of Kate Chopin1569 Words   |  6 PagesKate wrote two novels and hundreds of short stories. Few of her stories were â€Å"Story of an Hour† and â€Å"The Awakening†. One of Kate Chopins most famous stories is the Story of an Hour. In the story Chopin was brave enough to challenge the society in which she lived because in the first half of the 19th century, women were not allowed the freedoms men enjoyed in the judgments of the law, the church or the government. This famous short story showed the co nflict between the social traditional requirementsRead MoreThe Awakening Historicism Analysis968 Words   |  4 PagesA New Historicism Analysis of The Awakening Kate Chopin’s The Awakening is a story written in the late 19th century about a woman named Edna becoming independent and finding herself in a time when women had little to no rights and people saw them as the property of their husband. This is a new historicism literary criticism, analyzing how what was going on in the time period influenced this novel. Racism, sexism, and feminism were all going on at this time and therefore influenced it greatly. DuringRead MoreEssay on A Male Dominated Society During the 19th Century952 Words   |  4 Pagesis known that the male takes complete cruel supremacy over the years in our history. In The Awakening and â€Å"The Story of an Hour† by Kate Chopin and â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, they all convey the struggles that females faced to be accepted and to find their identity. To commence, women have been denied self-expression which impacted their daily lives. First of all, in The Awakening, a character Edna Pontellier would try to surpass the typical housewife society. For example

Diana in the Docks Free Essays

Diana In the Dock : does privacy matter? ‘Diana’ as used in the title is referring to the Former Princess of Wales ‘Princess Diana’. In November 1993 The mirror newspaper published photos of ‘princess Diana’ while she was working out at a gym. These photo’s were taken out of consent by Diana by the Gym owner Bryce Taylor who was paid over 100,000 pounds for the photos . We will write a custom essay sample on Diana in the Docks or any similar topic only for you Order Now Thus Princess Did had his assets frozen and sued him. Due to the fact Bryce Taylor was broke he seeded legal aid where he was provided with Geoffrey Robertson o defend him. Robertson describes this case through the use of a paradox in the opening paragraph â€Å"Diana had been the victim of a dirty trick which provided windfall profits to undeserving people† these undeserving people being ‘Bryce Taylor’ and the mirror magazine. Donna’s perspective is that her privacy was breached for common greed of monetary benefits by that of Bryce Taylor. However, Ironically for Bryce Taylor benefit his legal aid, lawyer Geoffrey Robertson â€Å"was the tutor of a textbook that analyses and deplored that absence of any privacy law In Britain† which represents to the reader Robertson’s extents knowledge within the topic of privacy, Wealth Robertson’s defense of Bryce Taylor he states when Diana places her self in the gym â€Å"It was like working out in a shop window† representing that her privacy was automatically violated and she’s â€Å"nonetheless been inviting It to happen†. Thus puts us in a position to view Diana as someone who manipulates the Edie in order to suit her own ends. Robertson also states her relationship with the media as ‘a Faustian bargain’ which refers to the story of Faust who sells his soul to the devil in order to gain greater power. This again supports Robertson’s use of the disjunction of ‘bur In â€Å"but Diana wanted privacy only when It suited her†. Nonetheless as Robertson describes Donna’s relationship with the media as ‘ a Faustian bargain’ It shows that Diana had to sell her soul to the media in order to main good publicity and power. This is significantly supported by Robertson use of the metaphor In the concluding paragraph † In 1997 Diana was killed fleeing the flashbulbs† which has Robertson positions us to see Diana as someone who seeded the attention of the media and as this back fired she tried to ‘flee’ where the consequence became death. Just like that of Faust who sold his soul to the devil , regretted it and was sent to hell. Therefore Robertson believes It’s her own fault for her lack of privacy. How to cite Diana in the Docks, Papers

Hearts and Hands (O.Henry) Essay Example For Students

Hearts and Hands (O.Henry) Essay At Denver there was an influx of passengers into the coaches on the eastbound B. M. Express. In one coach there sat very pretty young woman dressed in elegant taste and surrounded by all the luxurious comforts of an experienced traveler. Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence with a bold, frank countenance and manner; the other a ruffled, glum- faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together. As they passed down the aisle Of the coach the only vacant seat Offered baas a reversed one facing the attractive young woman. Here the linked couple seated themselves. The young womans glance fell upon them with a distant, swift disinterest; then with a lovely smile brightening her countenance and a tender pink tingeing her rounded cheeks, she held out a little gray-gloved hand. When she spoke her voice, full, sweet, and deliberate, proclaimed that its owner was accustomed to speak and be heard. Well, Mr Gaston, it you will make me speak first, suppose must. Dont vow ever recognize old friends when you meet them in the West? The younger man roused himself sharply at the sound of her voice, seemed to trudge with a slight embarrassment which he threw off instantly, and then clasped her fingers with his left hand. Its Miss Fairchild, he said, with a smile. Ill ask you to excuse the other hand; its otherwise engaged just at present. He slightly raised his right hand, bound at the wrist by the shining bracelet to the left one Of his companion. The glad look in the girls eyes slowly changed to a bewildered horro r. The glow faded from her cheeks. Her lips parted in a vague, relaxing distress. Gaston, With a little laugh, as if amused, was about to speak again when the other forestalled him. The glum-faced man had been watching the girls countenance with veiled glances from his keen, shrewd eyes. Youll excuse me for speaking, miss, but, see youre acquainted with the Marshall here. If youll ask him to speak a word for me when we get to the pen hell do it, and itll make things easier for me there. Hes taking me to Leavenworth prison. Its seven years for counterfeiting, Oh! Said the girl, with a deep breath and returning color. So that is what you are doing out here? A marshal! My dear Miss Fairchild, said Gaston, calmly, l had to do something. Money has way of taking wings unto itself, and you know it takes money to keep step with our crowd in Washington. I saw this opening in the West, andwell, a marksmanship isnt quite as high a position as that of ambassador, but The ambassador, said the girl, warmly, doesnt call any more. H e neednt ever have done so. You ought to know that.