Hwang, David Henry. M. Butterfly. New York. Dramatists Play Service, 1986. Print.
M. Butterfly tells the story of a French diplomat in China during the time of the Vietnam War. He is enthralled with the stereotypical Chinese culture and falls for a Chinese opera singer. The play starts with Gallimard, the diplomat, in prison as he tells his story of his relationship with his "Butterfly." Hwang takes us on many twists and turns as we discover what this relationship truly means for both parties involved. I would be interested to see this as a text in a classroom. There are many parts of this play that can be hard to swallow. Hwang gives us a stark reality of the misogynistic and racism that is in our modern society. It could easily turn off some of the students reading it as a text. However, it gives us strong Asian characters and a fascinating story that will make us question how we view those of a different background from us. I don't believe it is something that could be done on a high school stage. The controversial twist in the story is something that many high school students are not mature enough to play on stage. It also requires an Asian actor who is proficient in their acting, music, and dance skills- something that is hard to come by. Hwang also specifics that he believes you need to do this production while working with an opera company, which is not possible for a high school theatre.
M. Butterfly tells the story of a French diplomat in China during the time of the Vietnam War. He is enthralled with the stereotypical Chinese culture and falls for a Chinese opera singer. The play starts with Gallimard, the diplomat, in prison as he tells his story of his relationship with his "Butterfly." Hwang takes us on many twists and turns as we discover what this relationship truly means for both parties involved. I would be interested to see this as a text in a classroom. There are many parts of this play that can be hard to swallow. Hwang gives us a stark reality of the misogynistic and racism that is in our modern society. It could easily turn off some of the students reading it as a text. However, it gives us strong Asian characters and a fascinating story that will make us question how we view those of a different background from us. I don't believe it is something that could be done on a high school stage. The controversial twist in the story is something that many high school students are not mature enough to play on stage. It also requires an Asian actor who is proficient in their acting, music, and dance skills- something that is hard to come by. Hwang also specifics that he believes you need to do this production while working with an opera company, which is not possible for a high school theatre.