View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Song say is one of a Westerner's favorite fantasies?

2. In the first scene of the play, how old is Gallimard?

3. Finish the sentence: "...there's no guarantee of failure in life like ________"

4. At what time does Song call Gallimard?

5. What is Song afraid of as she is entertaining Gallimard in her parlor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gallimard believe when Song says "...sometimes it is also mutual" and why does it surprise him?

2. Why does Gallimard want Song to say she is his Butterfly?

3. What are Chin's plans for Song after her time in the commune?

4. Why was Song beaten? What were Chin's choices for further punishment for Song?

5. How has Helga's opinion on China changed when she and Gallimard return to France?

6. Why does Gallimard believe God is a man?

7. In the story of Madame Butterfly, how is Butterfly treated by Pinkerton?

8. How does Renee's candor about sexuality and the human anatomy differ from Galliamard's?

9. How is Gallimard talked out of seeing the doctor?

10. Describe the character of Manuel Toulon.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gallimard's sexuality plays a major role in the plot of the play.

1. What seems to be Gallimard's sexual relationship with his wife? How does it differ from what he shares with Song? How is it different from his sexual encounters with Renee? How about Isabelle?

2. What is the importance of the men's magazine model who strips for Gallimard in his fantasy?

3. Marc is conjured up to encourage Gallimard's lustful nature. Although their characters are different, how are their wants similar? Why does Gallimard feel the need to imagine these interactions with his old school friend?

Essay Topic 2

The character of Comrade Chin represents the Communist politics of China. She enforces the law and the needs of her country, which causes many of the plot elements in M. Butterfly.

1. How does Comrade Chin represent the politics of the time period? How does she represent the changing values of the country?

2. How does Chin differ from the fantasy that Song puts forth regarding the ideal woman? What does she think of Song's role in her society? What does she think of Song's tactics? How does she react to Song's opinion on women?

3. Why does Chin have Song beaten? How do Chin's actions affect the plot?

Essay Topic 3

Marc and Gallimard have different points of view on the definition of infidelity and the morals involved with it. Write an essay comparing and contrasting Gallimard and Marc and their view and treatment of women.

1. How does Marc know Gallimard? What is the nature of their relationship? During their friendship, how did their lives differ? More specifically, what were their places within their social circle?

2. How did Marc view women in his youth? How did he treat them? Did this change after he got married? How do these characteristics differ from Gallimard's? How are they similar?

3. What kind of life did Marc lead while Gallimard was in China? How did their relationship change during the course of the play? How did Gallimard conjured image of Marc affect his actions in the play?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,059 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample