David Henry Hwang - M. Butterfly

M. Butterfly is one of my favorite plays out of the many plays David Hwang has written, even though it may be considered one of his most famous plays to some people. I was exited to blog about this play because there are many themes present that we can all relate to. Also, in my opinion, David Hwang is showing us how a person can go through many phases throughout his/her life (viewing life with a positive perspective to not knowing what the purpose of life is). In this play, the theme of deception, confusion, love, fear, and depression are all present. The theme of deception is shown when Rene Galliamard falls in love with the beautiful Chinese diva (who is actually a man), Song Liling. Their affair continues for 20 years until the truth is revealed. This scenario reminds me of the Maury and Jerry Springer show. People are confessing things to each other and are trying to find the truth. The theme of confusion exists when Gallimard cannot accept the fact that his "ideal woman" or "dream girl" is actually a man. He then "retreats deep inside himself and his memories. Gallimard shows how he is recollecting his thoughts" (Wikipedia Contributors), still in disbelief of what actually happened to him. In the third act, Gallimard commits seppuku, a Japanese suicide ritual. I view this as Gallimard unable to grasp control of everything that is going on in his life (betraying his country, disbelief that the love of his life is actually a man). It is interesting to see how a person can feel as if they are on top of the world; living life with the love of their life to committing suicide because life isn't exactly the way you thought it was. Relating this to my life, I see many of my own peers in Gallimard's position, particularly in high school. Guys who have their first girlfriend become so attached to them, loving them and doing anything they desire to satisfy them. But when the girlfriend breaks up with the guy, he goes into depression and often times turns to drugs to bring himself up. Even though in general, break ups can lead to depression, the main point that I would be extracting from this scenario would be how a guy's first girlfriend can be his worst relationship he has been in or his own "Disney" dream (they live happily ever after).

How David Hwang thought of M.Butterfly

Ivan the Terrible - HA! What a fool he is. I would had killed the man (diva) and let the dogs eat him. This generation is getting softer and softer. Poor peasants...