Madame Butterfly

Ali Appelbaum WGST 199-01 Professor U slice March 16, 2008 ordination puts a hearty focus on individuals who experience the act of cross- clotheing to form an identity for themselves. The act of cross-dressing helps a person to feel comfortable with themselves because they are able to gain a understanding of independence, confidence, and individuality. In the play M. providedterfly, by David Henry Hwang, constructing an identity is made through the character tenor. By expression at outcrys appearance in M. Butterfly, we can recognize that clothing and cover constructs an identity.The play, M. Butterfly uses the character numbers to show the reference how cross-dressing is common, and can make ones personality. striving cross-dresses from an Asiatic male, to an Asian female. Throughout the play Song plays the role of a female just now expresses herself in a more confident, and independent way as an Asian female. This is because Song has had a gender cross to a women, she is able to evince these qualities in her new identity she has formed. M. Butterfly is about a French diplomat, Gallimard and his love attraction for Song.Gallimard feels as though hes neer been in love, and has a hard time relating to women, until Song comes along. Song, playing the sentimentalist role of Gallimards lover takes charge without Gallimard realizing a male was in truth wooing him the whole time. Song possesses traits of a female, which gives her confidence to pursue her family with Gallimard until hes fallen in love. In the end, Song reveals herself for the man she is, but continues to act with more confidence and independence as a woman than as a man.In the play, you can see that disguise constructs an identity through the character Song. During a scene, Gallimard comments on Songs effeminate appearance and the other women he sees in chin upa. Song responds to Gallimard, Please. Hard as I try to be modern, to let the cat out of the bag like a man, to hold a Western womans strong face up to my own in the end, I fail. A small, frightened heart beats too quickly and gives me away. Monsieur Gallimard, Im a Chinese girl. Ive never never invited a man up to my flat before.The forwardness of my actions makes my skin burn (1. 11 Hwang). This quotes shows that Song posses traits as a female and is proud. Although Song is a male, he has construct himself a female identity from disguise. Confidence is expressed in Songs remarks by telling in conversation how she believes she is more cozy than Gallimard. Song also makes sure notice is taken of her slight and passably appearance. Song remarks back to Gallimard, Your history serves you poorly, Monsieur Gallimard. True, there were signs reading No dogs and Chinamen. But a woman, especially a delicate Oriental womanwe unceasingly go where we please. Could you imagine it otherwise? Clubs in China filled with pasty, big-thighed sportsmanlike women, while thousands of slender lotus blossoms wait j ust outside the limen? The clubs would be empty. We have always held a certain fascination for you tweed men, have we not? (2. 4 Hwang). Song has shown to her audience that she has a strong confidence about the female body and face. She explains to Gallimard that her new identity, a delicate Oriental woman, is always welcomed in society.Song also feels a sense of power because although she is a man working for the Chinese government, she feels comfortable in her feminine identity. A conversation between Song and her advisor fellow traveler Chin demonstrates how Song has created has created an identity for herself in disguise. When Song is in living quarters where she can act like man, she still acts in a feminine order, rather than a masculine tone. Chin asks Song, Is that home come you dress like that? (2. 4 Hwang). Song responds by saying, Like what, Miss Chin? (2. Hwang). Chin remarks with what he believes is reality by saying, Like that dress Youre wearing a dress. And ever y time I come here, youre wearing a dress. Is that because youre an actor? Or what? (2. 4 Hwang). Song reveals her identity by saying, Its a disguise, Miss Chin (2. 4 Hwang). This conversation between Comrade Chin and Song shows the audience that Song is aware of the fact that she is a male, but possesses more of an interest in the feminine personality and ways of life because she is more confident.