Madame Butterfly

Ali Appelbaum WGST 199-01 Professor Uman March 16, 2008 party puts a strong focus on individuals who experience the act of cross-dressing to create an indistinguishability for themselves. The act of cross-dressing helps a person to feel comfortable with themselves because they are able to gain a sense of independence, confidence, and individuality. In the bunco M. Butterfly, by David Henry Hwang, constructing an identity is made through the character margin call. By looking at strains appearance in M. Butterfly, we can see that clothing and disguise constructs an identity.The play, M. Butterfly uses the character Song to show the audience how cross-dressing is common, and can make ones personality. Song cross-dresses from an Asian male, to an Asian female. end-to-end the play Song plays the role of a female but expresses herself in a more confident, and fissiparous way as an Asian female. This is because Song has had a gender cross to a women, she is able to abut these qualit ies 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 never been in love, and has a hard time relating to women, until Song humps along. Song, performing the romantic role of Gallimards lover takes charge without Gallimard realizing a male was really wooing him the alone time. Song possesses traits of a female, which gives her confidence to pursue her relationship 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 cleaning lady 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 feminine appearance and the other women he sees in raisea. Song responds to Gallimard, Please. Hard as I try to be modern, to speak handle a man, to nourish 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 thin (1. 11 Hwang). This quotes shows that Song posses traits as a female and is proud. Although Song is a male, he has built himself a female identity from disguise. Confidence is expressed in Songs remarks by telling in conversation how she believes she is more knowledgeable than Gallimard. Song also makes sure notice is taken of her delicate and moderately 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 always go where we please. Could you imagine it otherwise? Clubs in China fill with pasty, big-thighed white women, while thousands of slender lotus blossoms wait just outside the door? The clubs would be empty. We surr ender always held a certain fascination for you Caucasian 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 familiar spirit Chin demonstrates how Song has created has created an identity for herself in disguise. When Song is in 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 every time I come here, youre wearing a dress. Is that beca use 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.