Gender Stereotypes In The Film Mulan

Walt Disney Productions has been making movies for young children since the 1920s. Since it is the biggest production company, its movies can have an influence on its young viewers. Mickey Mouse Monopoly questions the influence of Disney movies regarding race and gender roles. Though the Disney film Mulan was viewed as a step up from negative gender roles and racial stereotypes, the documentary still regarded Disney’s representation of China as a negative temporary power of females. Mickey Mouse Monopoly’s interpretation of the movie is inaccurate because they overanalyzed small parts of the film rather than focusing on the theme and the movie as a whole. By overanalyzing a few clips, Mickey Mouse Monopoly overlooked the fact that Mulan shows progressive feministic values by creating a courageous and intelligent female character, something that other Disney films lacked at

the time. Overall, Mulan is a positive representation because she defies cultural norms to fight for what she believes in.
The racial stereotypes as discussed in the documentary, Mickey Mouse Monopoly, are exaggerated. When Chyng Feng Sun first talks about the Chinese culture represented in Disney’s Mulan, she does consider that it is a step up for feministic models; however, she continues to argue that Mulan stereotypes the Chinese culture as stereotypical and oppressive compared to other cultures. One example she uses in her argument is the two boys taking a doll away from a little girl in the beginning. It seems as if she was reading too much into the example because there is nothing sexist/oppressive about it. Disney used this scene as an introduction to the setting. The viewer can see that Mulan lives in a small village with many families, and that is why we see children. Most children take things away from each other and pick on each other. The scene was made to show the familial aspect of Mulan’s village; in fact, this scene is very insignificant to the oppression of women in ancient China, which undercuts Feng Sun’s argument.
Chyng Feng Sun further explains her argument by stating that the movie depicts women not being able to stand up to men which makes China look sexist. Although this analysis is true, it is important to understand the time period of the movie. In ancient China, women had no authority over men. Generally men were the head of the family, unless they died prematurely. Women would then have power over the family until a son became old enough to assume authority (Ebrey). Women were the submissive Yin and men were the dominant Yang (Ebrey). Women did not have the social power to speak up to men. Mulan’s dominant role is obtained by dressing up as a man, and is only temporary, but she does ultimately gain respect, as is shown when all of China bows to her. Mulan does not retain power in the end because the movie is meant to depict ancient China, and the producers cannot change the history of an entire nation.
One point that Mickey Mouse Monopoly makes about Mulan is the fact that she goes back to her feministic role once the war is over. This is taken completely out of context. The documentary shows a clip of Mulan hugging her father and it shows her grandmother talking about bringing a man home from the war instead of a sword. After that, Shang comes into the scene looking for Mulan. The documentary claims that Mulan is no longer strong and independent because she goes back to who she was before the war, and she is still “expected” to bring home a man.
However, the movie still portrays Mulan as independent. Feng Sun does not take into account the great deal of respect that Mulan has earned for her family. Prior to this scene, the citizens of China, including the emperor, bow to her in honor of her bravery. The sword and medal she received were awarded for her courageous acts which saved China. Just because she is no longer dressed as a man, does not mean that she has lost her bravery and courage. The documentary interpreted this scene as showing that women need men, because the grandmother states that Mulan should have brought a man from the war. However, this part was added for humor. People do not assume the grandma is being serious, in fact, many just laugh at the line.
Also, unlike most Disney movies, there is no sign of intimacy between the two main characters (Mulan and Shang). Mulan is never seductive like other female characters in Disney films, and she does not have a special romance with Shang. Usually, Disney films end with a kiss or a marriage, but Mulan only asks Shang to stay for dinner. In fact, she still wields the power because she asks Shang to dinner when Shang cannot even find the courage to speak to her. This shows that Mulan is still an independent and in charge, and she can be a role model for young females.
Mulan can be viewed as a positive character for young children. She takes her father’s place in the war, even though she risks the consequence of death and dishonor. By risking her life for her loved one, she defies cultural norms and negative gender roles. Although Disney portrays a character who gains temporary power by cross dressing, they also show a theme which can influence young children to stand up for what they believe in. Mulan symbolizes bravery and confidence, which are two positive traits. Instead of waiting for a man’s assistance, Mulan is a positive and progressive feministic character because she does everything for herself. In fact, she saves an entire nation by using common sense and intelligence. Mulan uses an avalanche to take out the Hun army, rather than trying to fight the Huns face to face, where the Chinese army stood no chance. The movie portrays Mulan as intelligent and in charge. Therefore, Mulan is a positive role and shows feministic values. Mulan also has a positive theme that suggests people stand up for themselves, even if it is wrong in society’s eyes. This gives young children the idea that it is okay to speak up for what they believe in, even if society is oppressive. The theme of the whole movie is positive, and that is what children notice.
Mickey Mouse Monopoly was not persuasive due to focusing on select scenes of movies, rather than focusing on them as a whole.

The analysts in the documentary view Disney as a negative influence, however, they do not focus on the overall themes of the movies. Mulan is an example of a fiction film with feministic core values and a positive theme within it. Children watch movies for enjoyment, and they do not understand stereotypes as well as adults. One thing children can grasp is the overall message of the story. Therefore, Disney movies such as Mulan, have an overall positive influence on popular culture because of their positive themes, and it is obvious that Mulan was created as a positive female character. By showing intelligence, bravery, and independence, Mulan represents the core values of feminism. Though Mickey Mouse Monopoly had a lot of evidence of negativity in Disney films, they overlooked the positives by focusing on small clips. Today, Disney continues to make movies that include positive roles for female characters and positive themes, and people of all ages love

them.