View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Chin want to make sure that Song remembers?

2. What does Chin want Song to find out?

3. In what year does Scene 8 take place?

4. What does Song say about Chin as she exits?

5. What does Song say she wants to do now that her life as an actor is over?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gallimard serves as the narrator throughout the play. The fantasies and flashbacks are his. Write a characterization of Gallimard and how he fits in with the structure of the play.

1. What was Gallimard's life like growing up? How did his days as a youth help to create the man he is now?

2. Describe Gallimard's relationship with women. Is Gallimard an attractive man? How does his physical appearance reflect his place in society? How does he talk to women? What is his sex drive like?

3. Descibe Gallimard's relationship with his wife. Why did he marry her? What is his opinion of love? How does that affect his interactions with other characters and his actions in the play?

Essay Topic 2

Gallimard claims he is pure imagination. Write an essay on what Hwang meant to portray with this plot development.

1. Do you believe Gallimard knew Song was a man? Cite examples from the story that back your argument.

2. What changes when Gallimard finally sees Song naked? How does he treat Song? How does his opinion on Song changed? According to Gallimard, what was the mistake that Song made?

3. How does Song react to Gallimard's attitude toward him?

4. How does the fantasy world different from the reality of Gallimard's situation? Which does he choose? Why?

5. What does Gallimard mean when he is "pure imagination?"

Essay Topic 3

Nearing the end of Act 2, Helga and Gallimard have an altercation involving the changing face of the country. Gallimard seems unable to find happiness in his life in France, and Helga seems lost as well, unable to understand the political upheaval that has followed them from the Eastern world.

1. How was life different for Gallimard and Helga during their time in China? How has France changed in the time they were away? How are the two countries similar?

2. How does Gallimard react to Helga's opinion of their two homes? What does Gallimard want that Helga cannot provide?

3. How does this interaction reflect the larger picture of international changes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 482 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample