Differences between the East and West

In his play, M. Butterfly, David Henry Hwang stresses the differences between the East and the West. One major difference that is emphasized is the gender roles of women.

Women in the East were portrayed as being modest and simple. For example, when Gallimard first starts to kiss Song, she resists and tells him to go gently, justifying her actions by saying, “it all frightens me. I’m a modest Chinese girl”(40). Throughout the play Gallimard puts Song on a pedestal, being the perfect woman for him and her modesty only makes him want her more. This theme of modesty, being only one of the differences between Eastern and Western women, is repeated several other times in the play. After 20 years of being together, modesty can no longer be a valid reason for Song’s prudery, and you have to conclude that modesty must be a trait strongly associated with Eastern women for Gallimard to not question various times throughout their relationship.

Western women, especially in comparison to Eastern women, are shown as outspoken, independent and outwardly confident.  For instance, after Song invites Gallimard into her home, she is disgusted with the way his Western ways are corrupting her and says, “I try to be modern, to speak like a man, to hold a Western woman’s strong face up to my own… The forwardness of my actions makes my skin burn”(30-31). This reaffirms the distinction between East and West by showing the affect the Western way has on Song. She cannot handle being put into such a situation and is disgusted with her actions. After feeling the need to step out of character for Gallimard, Song is ashamed and “she feels inferior to them [Western people]”(31). Because she has been so easily influenced by the West, allowing Gallimard to change her and cause shame to herself, Song feels that she has become a subordinate to those of the west.