M. Butterfly: Act 2, Scene 11 Summary & Analysis

Gallimard talks about the first years after his return to Paris. He describes a comfortable, predictable life — though he notes that Communist sentiments were spreading among French students. In the middle of his speech, Helga appears, wet and calling Gallimard’s name. She tells him she was stopped in the street a Communist student protest, and that the police fired water cannons on the crowd. She asks him what is happening to France, and he says it is nothing that he cares to think about

Helga remarks on the smell of the incense Gallimard is burning in the house. She begins talking about China, and the resemblance between the increasingly violent protests in France and those that heralded the Cultural Revolution in China. Gallimard insists Helga does not understand China, and rails against her notion that the West is crumbling under Asia’s influence.

Gallimard tells Helga, suddenly, that he wants a divorce. He confesses that he has had a mistress. Helga is unmoved by this information — she tells Gallimard she has known since the day she married him that he would eventually have an affair. She asks whether he wants to marry his mistress. Gallimard admits he can do no such thing, since Song is in China. Helga is stunned to realize her husband would rather be alone than with her. She tells Gallimard she has enjoyed the pretense of being his wife; though she always had a feeling that he was not who he pretended to be, she found pleasure in the lies they created together. She leaves, telling Gallimard she hopes everyone is mean to him for the rest of his life.

Marc appears onstage, holding two drinks. Gallimard begins to tell him about the magnificent life he had in China, where Song’s love made him feel special and exalted. He says life in the West is a disappointment. Marc is clearly irritated by this sentimental rambling. He interrupts Gallimard multiple times, telling him he doesn’t want to talk about the “Oriental love goddess” and would prefer to drink in peace. When Marc leaves the stage, Gallimard complains to his audience about the pain of talking to people who don’t understand his experience. He has loved the Perfect Woman, but has nobody in his life who understands the magnitude of this experience.

Song appears onstage, wearing the wedding kimono from Madame Butterfly. Gallimard notices her, but is convinced for a moment that she is an illusion. When she touches his hand to prove that she is real, he says he never doubted she would return to him. Gallimard shows her the bedroom, which is already decorated according to her tastes, with her incense burner and a work of art she likes. He tells her that, since there was only so much room in his mind, he had to choose between remembering her and remembering the rest of the world — obviously, he chose her. Song asks Gallimard where his wife has gone, and Gallimard tells her that his wife is right beside him, at last.

Gallimard reaches to embrace Song, but she steps out of his reach. Song begins talking to the audience, but Gallimard interrupts her, asking her to help him show the audience their joyful, loving reunion. Song tells Gallimard she is not bound to follow his orders, even though she is a figment of his imagination. She tells him to leave her alone, because the time has come for her to “change.” Gallimard begs her not to change. Song insists she must, and tells Gallimard he cannot ignore the truth — he knows too much, at this point, to keep believing the lie. Gallimard exits the stage. Addressing the audience again, Song tells them her transformation will require about five minutes and invites them to take this opportunity to stretch their legs or have a drink. She sits down in front of a mirror and a water basin, and starts to remove her makeup.