Madame Butterfly

Pinkerton is a selfish man, who is basing this marriage with Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) on pure infatuation. He is thinking in the now and of his happiness, and not of the feelings and emotions of Butterfly and for the future. Butterfly is willing to risk the loss of her ancestors' religion in the name of love, she is a true romantic. She believes in love and that it is what you need to be happy, even if the cost could be great. Sharpless is a wise man but also a foolish one. Sharpless knew of the intentions of Pinkerton and the effects it would have on Butterfly, and, yet, he didn't try very hard to keep it from happening. Goro reminds me of a nervous, flitty bird. He doesn't like to disappoint people and it almost makes him a nuisance. Butterfly's friends are supportive and happy for Butterfly to marry Pinkerton; they think it will be a happy marriage. Pinkerton's "real" wife must be confused by the situation, or, at least, finds it to be sad. The "real" wife isn't described well and I am unaware if she had been informed of the situation at hand.

Japanese women, or geisha's, are used for entertainment. They are meant to portray a fragile being, who are beautiful and knowledgeable of the arts, such as singing and dancing. They are meant to be the perfect little lady. Cio-Cio-San is a geisha, and this is the cause for Pinkerton's infatuation with her.

The Western world's view on East cultures in the 20th century is ignorant. It is willing to participate in the events but doesn't take the rituals seriously.

As Butterfly is walking up the hill in Act I, she sings 'Ancor un passo or via', which means 'one more step'. Butterfly is 'the happiest girl in Japan' at this moment, for she is about to marry an American lieutenant. The reader or audience is a witness to the drama in this scene. Butterfly is joyous and in love, believing Pinkerton truly loves her, and Pinkerton only wants to be married to her for a short while because divorce tax is low in Japan. This creates a sadness felt for Butterfly because we know that she will have her heart broken.

Must the Winter Come So Soon?

This aria for Erika really matches the situation she is in. She is pregnant, unmarried but in love, and her aunt is engaged with her lover. This piece is slow, cold, and sad. Erika is depressed because she can't have the child and she is going to lose her lover. Erika flees out in to cold to have the child aborted. The forest is neither sunset or dawn, it is time standing still for her, weeping for her. 

Do Not Utter a Word

The dramatic irony in Vanessa is beautifully done. An aunt, who refuses to look at her aging self, has covered all the mirrors in the house and is awaiting for the man who once was her lover. Upon his arrival, Vanessa finds out that her lover, Anatol, is dead and that it is his son, also called Anatol, who has arrived. Heart-broken, Vanessa stays in her chambers for the night; Erika, Vanessa's niece, and Anatol eat the meat and drink the wine that was meant for Vanessa and Anatol Sr. Erika confides in the Baroness that she was seduced by Anatol the night before and refuses his proposal in belief that he doesn't really mean it. Vanessa has become delusionary and believes Anatol is her lover! Vanessa and Anatol get engaged and throw a party. Erika finds out she is pregnant and faints at the party; when recovered, she flees in to cold to have the baby aborted. When Erika returns, Vanessa and Anatol are leaving for Paris. Erika covers all the mirrors and locks up the house, knowing that it is her turn to wit for her lover to return.