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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. Why did Isabelle have sex with Gallimard?

2. Who plays the character of Suzuki in Gallimard's dream?

3. What song from Madame Butterfly underscores the scene in which Gallimard is reading Song's letters?

4. In Act 1, Scene 7, when Gallimard is speaking to Helga, what does he say about the Chinese?

5. According to Gallimard, why did God create Eve?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Toulon decide to keep Gallimard on board with the intelligence division?

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

3. How does Song talk Gallimard out of marriage?

4. Is it ever clear if Gallimard knew Song was a man?

5. What does Song say she wants to do by the end of her encounter with Chin in Act 2, Scene 9? Is this her own choice?

6. Describe the character of Renee.

7. Why does Toulon approve of Gallimard's infidelity?

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

9. How does Song seem to feel when compared to Western women? How does this relate to her own education and upbringing?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During Act 1, the opera of Madame Butterfly serves as a structure to the first act.

1. How does each character reflect the part he/she plays? How are they different?

2. What is important about the story of Madame Butterfly in conjunction with the story of the play?

3. How does it foreshadow events in the play?

Essay Topic 2

The politics of a changing world play a major part in the direction of the plot. Write an essay on how the political tumult defines the conflict between certain characters and situations.

1. What are some of the major political events that happen while Gallimard is in office? What are the major global events that occur during the 1960's?

2. As the 60's progress, how does life for the characters in the play change? What is at stake for characters involved? How does the play and the stakes within it change as time goes by?

3. Describe how the growing chaos of the 1960s reflect events within M. Butterfly.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the climactic encounter between Gallimard and Song when he asks to see her naked for the first time.

1. When Gallimard leaves the reception where he had his encounter with Toulon, what is he feeling? What is the catalyst for his emotions?

2. What are the reasons Gallimard gives for wanting to strip Song? How does she react? Why?

3. How does Song talk Gallimard out of seeing her naked? What is at stake for her?

4. How is this moment pivotal in the life of the play and the relationship between Gallimard and Song? How do his feelings for her change?

(see the answer keys)

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