M. Butterfly

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. Gallimard suspects that China will speak up but fall short of retaliating on North Vietnam’s behalf. In addition, he argues for the incentive of helping the US, given that the prerogative of Asian people is to side with the most powerful player in the region. Toulon is skeptical of Gallimard’s point and brings up the rumor that Gallimard has a Chinese mistress. Gallimard concedes to the rumor to gain Toulon’s trust in his opinion.

Gallimard claims that the Chinese masses yearn for their culture from before the Communist Revolution. He suggests that if the Americans can appeal to the Chinese through their cultural and commercial offerings, they’ll have an advantage in Vietnam. As the meeting ends, Gallimard asks how many people know about his affair. Toulon indicates that only the embassy officers know.

Gallimard expresses his glee to the audience, happy that Toulon approves of his affair. His celebration is cut short by the onstage arrival of a character named Comrade Chin. Gallimard wants to exclude Chin from the story. From upstage, however, Song argues that Chin’s presence is necessary to explain what happened. Gallimard tells the audience that this part of the story is why so many people ridicule him. He urges the audience to see things from his perspective.

Chin arrives at Song and Gallimard’s apartment shortly after he leaves. Chin orders Song to gather intelligence on US military operations in Vietnam. Song delivers the information she already knows but cautions that she doesn’t want Gallimard to become suspicious.

Chin looks down on Song for being an actor. She criticizes Song’s strong memory and dress, which Song justifies as part of her disguise. Chin warns Song not to violate the principles of the Communist Party because she’s acting as a representative of Chairman Mao Zedong. Before leaving, Chin delivers a final warning: Gay sexual identity is illegal in China.

Once Chin is gone, Song invites Gallimard back onstage to resume his story.

Over the next two years, Gallimard and Song settle into a routine. He arrives at the apartment, eats a snack that she prepares, and then allows her to pleasure him. During each encounter, he talks about his life, which he appreciates because, as he claims, few women listen to him.

One day, Helga tells Gallimard that she consulted a doctor about her difficulty in conceiving a child. The doctor helped her realize that the issue isn’t with her but possibly with Gallimard. Helga urges him to see the doctor, which he doesn’t want to do. She explains that even if nothing is wrong with him, she simply wants peace of mind as they continue trying to conceive. She finally frames the issue as a choice: Gallimard should go to the doctor only if he wants to have a child.

Gallimard confides in Song that he doesn’t want to visit the doctor because he’s afraid that it will emasculate him. Song commiserates with him, calling the situation “unnatural.” She cites the old solution to the issue in Imperial China: A man would turn to his second wife to conceive a child. Gallimard is taken aback, not realizing that Song considers them married already. He worries about how a pregnancy will affect her opera career. She explains that while she loves her career, she wants more than anything for him to give her a child. Gallimard confirms to the audience that he never went to the doctor.