M. Butterfly

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of antigay bias, racism, gender discrimination, emotional abuse, and bullying.

In his prison cell, Gallimard reads a negative review of Madame Butterfly, which criticizes Pinkerton’s characterization and the treatment of Butterfly. Gallimard agrees that Pinkerton is frustrating but argues that few men would deny their desire to put themselves in his place.

The extended flashback to 1960 resumes in the new apartment that Gallimard shares with Song. Located on the outskirts of Beijing, the apartment is decorated in a mix of Western and Chinese styles. Every few days, they meet there, and Song shares her complaints about the New Society. According to Song, Chinese men maintain hierarchy over women. The government doesn’t prioritize public education, wishing to keep the masses ignorant. Song considers the West progressive because it allows women to pursue education. She expresses her curiosity about France’s foreign policy to expand her appreciation of global politics.

The year turns to 1961. From upstage, Song watches Gallimard as he confers with Toulon.

Gallimard and Toulon discuss the US plan to bomb North Vietnam and Laos. Because the US doesn’t have an embassy in China, they’re relying on French intelligence to predict China’s response to the aggression.