Yeah, you got her

In the last paragraph of Zach Baird’s post titled “I’m a Modest Chinese Girl – Zach Baird” he mentions how Gallimard begins to treat Song poorly when she shows that she is attracted to him. I thought it was really interesting that Song’s attraction to Gallimard resulted in Gallimard receiving a promotion. In scene 12 Ambassador Toulon asks Gallimard to replace Vice-Consul LeBon (37). Toulon then goes so far as to tell Gallimard that “A year ago, you would’ve been out. But the past few months, I don’t know how it happened, you’ve become this new aggressive confident . . . thing,” (37-38).
I think it’s very interesting how Gallimard, who is portrayed as someone who is shy and awkward around women at the beginning of the play, becomes more confident when he believes he has Song wrapped around his finger. He even says in scene eleven that he, “felt for the first time that rush of power – the absolute power of a man,” (32). This results in Gallimard exuding characteristics such as aggressiveness and confidence. It’s as if Gallimard believes exerting control over a woman is what makes someone a man.
This is especially interesting when you take into consideration the theme of imperialism. Song keeps referring to Gallimard as a “westerner.” If Gallimard represents imperialist nations of the western world and Song represents eastern countries, this play is suggesting that western countries (or rather their leaders) feel better about themselves when they can control eastern countries.
There also seems to be a correlation between sexual conquests and imperial conquests in this play, especially when you consider that Gallimard represents western imperialist countries. On page 34 Gallimard is discussing his first sexual experience with Marc. At one point he thanks Marc for sending Isabelle to have sex with him and Marc replies, “Yeah. You got her.” Gallimard responds, “I got her.” It’s like Marc is reassuring Gallimard that he can control others.