M. Butterfly

Iis Gallimard a victim or a traitorrMake sure to go over Act 3, Scene 1, pages 80-83, Song's trial, once again. David Henry Hwang in his Afterword to M. Butterfly states "I consider [the play] a plea to all sides to cut through our respective layers of cultural and sexual misperception, to deal with one another truthfully for our mutual good, from the common and equal ground we share as human beings." Much of what David Henry Hwang puts forth in this play has to do with the importance of understanding differences in cultures and foreign practices. If we fail to learn about these practices, if we ignore or misunderstand what other societies value, what does that foreshadow for the future in a globally expanding world? Considering these points and the in-class discussions, do you see Rene Gallimard as a victim or a traitor? The essay should be 3-5 pages and include at least two outside sources we've discussed in class.