The Ideal Woman - 1271 Words

The Ideal Woman Henry David Hwang’s M. Butterfly highlights the stereotypical woman and draws a picture of the â€Å"perfect woman.† The perfect woman’s character traits include submissiveness, passiveness, modesty, beauty, dislike for sex, gentleness, and quietness, according to Hwang’s characters. These traits are shown in Song, labeling her as a perfect woman. The reader later finds out that Song is not a woman at all; she is a man. This challenges the image of the ideal woman. All of the female characters have flaws, proving to the reader that the concept of realizing the perfect woman is not possible. Hwang uses Song’s character to poke fun at the image of the perfect woman. To create the perfect woman, but not make her female is†¦show more content†¦When Song asks Galliard if she can have his child, she says â€Å"I’m not asking you to be my husband. But I am already your wife.† (pg 1296, Act II Scene V) She is basically saying t hat she had made a commitment to him without asking for one in return. She is submitting to his wishes. She is also quiet and gentle. When Gallimard first visited Song, she made a big deal out of making sure his tea was poured just right, even though he tried to tell her that it didn’t matter. She kept apologizing because it was not perfect. Gallimard told her that there was nothing to be sorry for. She responded â€Å"Oh, I am silly. Light-headed. I promise not to apologize for anything else tonight, do you hear me? † (pg 1286, Act I Scene X) This passage paints a picture of Song as a simple, quiet woman, concerned about little things such as tea rather than politics and other matters of the world. Song, fitting all of the requirements, is a perfect woman. Song, unfortunately, is not truly a woman. She is a male Chinese spy disguised as a woman. All of her so-called perfect female traits can be negated when her motives are explained. When Gallimard asked her to strip and she refused, she was not being modest. She, obviously, did not want Gallimard to find out that she was biologically male. When she rejects hisShow MoreRelatedIndia s The Ideal Woman1727 Words   |  7 Pagesbelieve that the women in their country are unequal and treated very poorly, yet they are very idealized. In India â€Å"The ideal woman† lives a happy life with her satisfied husband and with children of their own (Medhi). 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