Rules in M. Butterfly

Act 3, Scene 1 Rules 

Rule One

When Song declares that men always believe what they want to hear, he is saying it before a judge and before the whole courthouse in Paris. He responds this when the judge asks him what secret knowledge Song knew about Western men. Song had previously stated that his mom shared that information with him because she was a prostitute and was able to learn some secrets. Song’s attitude seems irritated and aggressive because after explaining that guys will believe whatever they want to hear—no matter how silly or senseless it might be—he asks the judge whether he himself has heard those phrases in his life. This rule directly applies to the relationship between Rene and Song because after twenty years of living together, Rene should have suspected that Song was a man; however, because he wanted to live in a fantasy—in a perfect lie as he says is—he refused to see reality. Therefore, if Song said he was a woman, Gallimard believed it. That was the only way the relationship was able to work.

Rule Two

Then, Song states that the West has sort of an international rape mentality towards the East. He explains that rape mentality occurs when her mouth says no, but her eyes say yes. Song believes that the West thinks of itself as masculine since it has a big industry and big money. On the other hand, the West feels the East must be feminine because it has poverty and delicacy. Therefore, the East is like a woman in a relationship that wants to be dominated since she cannot think for herself. He is implying that even though women claim they are strong and independent, they deep down want a man to lead them. The Asian stereotypes fit into this explanation because as discussed earlier in the play, Asian people, are considered inferior compared to Western people. Thus, Western men believe they can have any Asian girl they want, and the West, as imperialists, believe they can conquer Asia.

Jay’s Rule

In the beginning of the play, Gallimard seems to have all the power over Song, but in the end, Song looks like has all the power over Rene. When Rene and Song first met, and Song supposedly fell for him and was able to do anything for “her” man; however, Song had a reason behind it. His purpose was to get information from Gallimard and report it to the Chinese government. The audience and Rene believe he had the power since Song was desperately in love, but it was all lie. That is why in the end, Song has all the power; it seems as though he never loved Gallimard, so he can walk away easily while Rene suffers because he misses his Butterfly.