Ethnicity played a major role in the progression of the relationship between the two main characters. In the 1960's, it was not exactly "traditional" for a French diplomat and a Chinese opera singer, as is frequently stated by Song to Rene. She also refers to his western stereotypes of the orient and that he is mistaken if he believes that she will be submissive due to his skin color. Also, because of their conflicting cultures, they are forced to pursue one another in secrecy. This may also be partially due to the fact that this is a marital affair. The famous line "Only a man truly knows how a woman is supposed to act" is echoed nonstop throughout their relationship due to Song being a man imitating the persona of a woman in the stage of life and Rene admitting that he "loved the lie" and that he found a more fulfilling love life with a cross-dressing male, rather than with his biologically correct wife and, ultimately, assume a female identity.
Rene's love of the Chinese operatic arts cause him to become hypnotized every time he watches Song on stage and is caught in his own web as he creates a fantasy world in which love reigns dominate over reason and morality. This, in combination with Song recommending that he "educate" himself on her traditions, cause him to have an affair with Song and also become easily manipulated by his feelings of her mysticism by overlooking the very important fact that she is a man and is slowly sapping him of governmental Intel. This leads into the world of politics, as not only are Rene's emotions being manipulated, but so are his political powers and resources. Song is stealthily relaying governmental secrets from the French to the Chinese on the status of American troops formations in Vietnam.
M Butterfly is a phenomenal story of taboo love and betrayal between two people, both living a lie to discover the truth within themselves.
t, and love
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