Strange Desires

      It is interesting to me how during a time of strong hatred towards foreigners, (the Cold War in China), Gallimard, a white, self-described not attractive male from the West finds a sort of refugee and fulfillment in his dwelling and partial acceptance in his spy-like residence in China. One of his most interesting lines in Act Two for me was, "My life in the West has been such a disappointment." Gallimard professes that his place of last residence with a person of questionable identity is of more satisfaction than an idea of "home" in the west, which is often glorified as the place of being most satisfying.
   He confesses a sort of hate/love relationship with the idea of Pinkerton, saying "...we men may all want to kick Pinkerton, very few of us would pass up the opportunity to be Pinkerton." However, he expresses desires to be a sort of ruthless white conquer, he also shows more sensitive and strangely understanding actions to Song. They are very non-western-like or man-ly glorified traits by not pressuring Song to be naked and also wishing to marry her. He also doesn't feel content with his affair with Rene, a young and attractive young lady that enjoys his very body extremity that defines him as a male. This is definitely uncommon. Parts of Gallimard are very man-like; he wishes to feel in control and have women suffer slightly, as he continues affairs and very off-putting ignores Song for weeks on end; yet at the same time, when he gets what it seems he should want, like a young attractive student enjoying his manly weapon- he isn't content. His relationship with Song, and China are more than purely physical. There is something perhaps about being different than western expectations that connects Gallimard here.