M. Butterfly, Henry Hwang, The homosexuality, Gallimard, Song Liling, Bernard Boursicot, Shi Pei Pu, Puccini
In M. Butterfly, by Henry Hwang, we are presented with a very complex character named Gallimard. Gallimard is homosexual, however he seems to be denying this fact to himself throughout his whole life. He has a very twisted view of the world, and he convinces himself that many of the actions he takes are for reasons that are very different from the obvious ones. Gallimard convinces himself that he loves Song because she is "like a butterfly" and because she is the only person who can make him feel happy with himself. Whenever he is presented with the opportunity to have sex with women, he rejects it in favor of spending time with Song, making up a bunch of ridiculous excuses. In almost every scene in which Gallimard is involved, he seems to be unconsciously deceiving himself in order to fulfill his desires of living a homosexual life.
[...] In service to my country” (Hwang 858). The reality is, however that Song would never be good enough to deceive just any man for such an extensive period of time. Gallimard wanted to be deceived by him and he just played along, allowing Song to do all the work. When Song gives his explanation, however, we know for certain that it cannot be so simple, and that Gallimard cannot possibly be so blind. No man is would put up with such a deception for such a long time without actually knowing the truth and denying it too himself. [...]
[...] Butterfly by Henry Hwang In M. Butterfly, by Henry Hwang, we are presented with a very complex character named Gallimard. Gallimard is homosexual, however he seems to be denying this fact to himself throughout his whole life. He has a very twisted view of the world, and he convinces himself that many of the actions he takes are for reasons that are very different from the obvious ones. Gallimard convinces himself that he loves Song because she is “like a butterfly” and because she is the only person who can make him feel happy with himself. [...]
[...] Gallimard desperately wanted a sexual relationship with a man, however he was not able to say so publicly or behave in such a manner because it was socially unacceptable. Gallimard held a respectable position in life and he subconsciously knew that revealing his homosexuality would lead to his destruction. He therefore created a world of fantasy in his mind, and Song takes the credit for being so skilled at deceiving Gallimard: your Honor, it was my job to make him think I was a woman. And chew on this: it wasn't all that hard. [...]
[...] Bibliography Hwang, D. H., & Puccini, G. (1989). M. Butterfly. New York, N.Y: New American Library. [...]
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