M Butterfly PDF is a play written by David Henry Hwang and originally produced in 1988. It centers around the relationship between Rene Gallimard, a French diplomat, and Song Liling, who is presented as a Chinese opera singer but in reality is an undercover spy for the People’s Republic of China.
Published by Theatre Communications Group in 1993, M Butterfly has received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the 1988 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It has been translated into multiple languages, adapted into a film in 1993 starring Jeremy Irons and John Lone, and performed by theatres worldwide.
M Butterfly is generally recognized as a commentary on Eastern and Western stereotypes, particularly around gender. The play explores issues of identity, power dynamics between men and women, individual choices in relationships, and misunderstandings between cultures. Hwang’s incorporation of language barriers to emphasize the cultural divide between East and West is also a major theme throughout the story. M Butterfly is available in multiple formats, including hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and ebook.
Table of Contents
M Butterfly Summary
The book starts with French diplomat Rene Gallimard and his colleague Marc, who are in a Chinese opera. Rene falls in love with the lead female character on stage, Song Liling. Little does he know that Song is actually a man named Pu Yi impersonating a woman! This leads to an affair that is kept secret for many years until Pu Yi reveals his true identity.
Years later, when Rene is being held for espionage, he reflects on the impact this relationship has had on him and how he was deceived by Pu Yi’s disguise. Throughout the novel, there are many themes of cultural differences that help to explain why Rene was so easily fooled. He believes in traditional Chinese stereotypes, such as that all women must be submissive and compliant to their men.
He also assumes that being a woman would make Song more vulnerable and open to him, thus allowing for the relationship to form. However, Pu Yi is the one in control of their relationship, using his disguise as a way to manipulate Rene’s emotions.
Details of M. Butterfly Book
| Book | M. Butterfly |
| Author | David Henry Hwang |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | February 10, 1988 |
| Category | Drama |
| Publisher | Theatre Communications Group |
| Total Pages | 93 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of M Butterfly Book
M Butterfly book has been translated into multiple languages and can be found in various parts of the world. It has been translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, and Russian.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
|---|---|
| English | Check Price |
| French | Check Price |
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| Chinese | Check Price |
About the Author
David Henry Hwang is an American playwright, best known for his 1988 Tony Award-winning Broadway play M Butterfly. Hwang was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a graduate of Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1978.
During college, Hwang began writing plays and was an active member of the Stanford Asian American theatre community. His works explore issues of gender, identity, and cultural appropriation in a modern context. In 1981, his play F.O.B. (Fresh Off the Boat) won an Obie Award for best new American play; this success led to other commissions from the likes of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival, and LA’s Mark Taper Forum.
In 1988, Hwang achieved critical acclaim with M. Butterfly which won several awards including a Tony Award for best play in the same year. The story is based on the true story of French diplomat Bernard Boursicot who had a 20-year affair with a Chinese opera star, believing her to be a man. The play examines identity and gender roles in an interracial relationship.
M Butterfly PDF Free Download
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FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the main idea of M Butterfly?
The main idea of M Butterfly is the complex relationship between gender and power.
What does the butterfly symbolize in M Butterfly pdf?
The butterfly in M Butterfly symbolizes transformation, metamorphosis, and rebirth.
Is M Butterfly the same as Madame Butterfly?
No, M. Butterfly is not the same as Madame Butterfly. While both stories feature a male protagonist who falls in love with an Asian woman, that is where the similarities end.
Why did David Hwang write M Butterfly?
David Hwang wrote M Butterfly to explore the issue of power dynamics between East and West, as well as to expose the cultural stereotypes that surrounded Asian women in the West.
Is M Butterfly a comedy or tragedy?
M Butterfly is a tragicomedy, combining elements of both tragedy and comedy throughout the story.
