Mulan: A Woman on a Mission

1815 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Gender sterotypes in the movie mulan

Mulan (Revised)

Disney proclaims that the adaptations of the Chinese story of Mulan is to transform ethnic materials into a “timeless” or “universal” classic (Kurtti 1998). Peter Schneider, Disney Feature Animation President, avers that “the search for who we are, the search for self, it an ever-ongoing process and universal theme” (Kurtti 1998, 189). Guided by this principle, Disney appropriated the Mulan story into its typical formula of a hero’s journey of self-discovery. The film features Mulan as a tomboyish girl who could not fit in the traditional gender role in China. She dressed like a man and went to fight the war against the Huns in her father’s place. Only in the military – a men’s world traditionally – Mulan could “be true to herself” and prove herself. Eventually Mulan single-handedly won the war, saved the Chinese kingdom, and lived happily ever after (Brown, 64-66). This, in my opinion is an interesting message to the world, that reflect how women can achieve anything in this world given the strength, courage and bravery that she could attain in a man’s dominated world. Mulan represents a women of substance, who achieved great heights due to her courage. This is a very insightful and thought-provoking message that highly justifies the idea behind the story.

"Mulan" is a full-length animated film, released June 19 1998 by studio Walt Disney Pictures. The film laid medieval Chinese poem about Hua Mulanje, a woman came into the army. Animation was the first of three that created in the studio of Disney-MGM Studios in Orland, Florida. Film directed by Tony Bancroft and, Barry Cook and the film is part of a "revival" of the Disney films. They are the technical characteristics of the first Disney cartoon, which used...

... middle of paper ...

...ny arguments about the men’s world, in which women is perceived to be behind the homely confines, thus they are never appreciated gaining any substantial place in the army. Mulkan asserted herself to these heights, using her self-confidenec and enlightenment of being a women. She did not hesitate being what she was, and attained superiority of characters through the pursuit of a great mission.

Works Cited

Brown, Corie and Laura Shapiro. "Woman Warrior."Newsweek. Jun 8 1998. Vol. 131: p. 64-66.

Suggs, Kyle (1998). "Review of Mulan". Christian Spotlight. Retrieved July, 13, 2011. Pp. 122

Jardine, Dan (1998). "Review of Mulan". Apollo Guide. Retrieved July, 13, 2011. Pp. 127

Gonzales, Ed (1998). "Review of Mulan". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July, 13, 2011. Pp. 126

Labi, Nadya (1998-06-26). "Girl Power". Time Magazine. Retrieved July, 13, 2011. pp. 1–2

Show More
Related

  • Mulan Hero's Journey

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mulan goes through being rescued when she fights Shan-Yu on top of the roof of the Emperor’s palace and Mushu helps Mulan pin Shan-Yu down and blow him up with fireworks. Mulan‘s ego decreases when Mushu successfully tries to help her get rid of Shan-Yu. She considers herself a hero now and does not want Mushu to think she cannot fight her own battles. Mulan in the end disregards her ego in order for her to not die on the roof. Mulan crosses the final threshold when she returns to her home with the gifts from the Emperor hoping her family will forgive her for leaving the family to go fight in the war. Her father accepts Mulan’s new power and wisdom and told her that, “The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter.” Mulan’s return to the past is pleasant and safe knowing that nothing can change her family’s love and affection for her. In addition, Mulan enters into the final step in the hero’s journey: the freedom to live. Mulan shows her freedom to live when she invites her soul mate, Li-Shang for dinner. This event marks the end of Mulan dwelling on the past and makes her excited, but not concerned about what the future

    Read More

  • Gender Roles in Mulan

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, the Disney movie, Mulan, demonstrates gender roles, socialization of gender roles, and consequences of breaking the gender roles. By Mulan going to war for her father, in China, many things were at risk, life, honor, and the country of China, itself. Displaying the characteristics a man had was the only way for Mulan to survive, granted, she was not great at displaying woman characteristics in the first place. Being caught in war, as a woman, meant death, but Mulan was lucky for her bravery when saving Captain Li Shang, for he spared her life, which allowed Mulan to help save China and the emperor in the end. Even though China had very strict gender roles, Mulan broke them to save her father’s life and became the person she was meant to be.

    Read More

  • Rosie the Riveter

    1261 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...and the responsibility to be just as patriotic and dedicated as any other. When the war ended and the men returned, women weren’t required for the occupations, and this stirred a yearning in women to be once again sovereign, and perhaps the time set a scene for a path to complete gender integration and a women’s rights movement.

    Read More

  • White Tigers vs. Mulan

    973 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare once said, “[My] honor is my life; both grow in one; take honor from me, and my life is done.” The idea is touched upon in both the book Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston as well as Disney’s Mulan were family honor is more important than anything else. Mulan was directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The film Mulan retold the story of a woman warrior who took her father’s place in battle and became a savior of China.The movie uses many elements from the original story told in the chapter “White Tigers,” but adds many modern twists in order to make the story more appealing for a newer generation. In both stories of Fa Mu Lan the elements of sacrifice, silence and voice, cultural practices of ancestor worship and filial piety, and Chinese stereotypes are present.

    Read More

  • Mulan vs. Kung Fu Panda: The Battle for Accurate Portrayal of Chinese Culture

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    Disney’s version of the story of Mulan, depicts Mulan as a young girl in what appears to be medieval China, who from the first scene until well into the second half of the film is shown studying and memorizing the rules by which she is expected to live. In the film as oppose to in the original story of Mulan, Mula...

    Read More

  • Women In The American Revolution Essay

    2329 Words  | 5 Pages

    They took on responsibilities traditionally associated with men. For a time, they were the ones at the heads of families, managing land and businesses. They were the ones using intellect to manage finances and physical strength in both the farm fields and battlefields. At times they weren’t being portrayed as the “weaker sex,” and even when they were, they used it to their advantage to obtain key information needed to win battles. These women were determined and dependable, assisting in countless ways, many even risked their own lives in doing their “patriotic

    Read More

  • Heroism In The Things They Carried

    452 Words  | 1 Pages

    Nowadays, women are not just seen as nurses or lovers in war stories. They are soldiers, captains, and lieutenants. Women do not have it anymore easier in war than men do. They are not handed medals or become heroes painlessly. Although O’Brien respects women having stronger souls than credited, he still believes they must earn the characteristic of being a hero

    Read More

  • A Girl Worth Fighting For: A Critical/Cultural Analysis of Disney’s Mulan

    1624 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...sh and adore. However, next time, do not let yourself be so easily grabbed by the catchy musical numbers and seemingly revolutionary story that is told. Yes, Mulan is an unorthodox heroine who changes all the rules, but she does so by conforming to a flawed system and affecting change from the inside, under the guise of a man. In lieu of doing it as a woman, it is not as girl power filled as many of us would like to believe. She, for the most part, affects all of this change as a man. Once she’s discovered, all her hard work in the training and the relationships she’s forged are all tossed to the wind and she’s quickly relegated back to her place as a lowly woman. However, despite its flawed execution in being a girl power story, it embodies a quintessential feel-good, be true to your heart film that will leave you wanting to affect change in the world around you.

    Read More

  • Exam Essay

    1123 Words  | 3 Pages

    Society has placed strict gender norms on both males and females and these norms are suppose to be rigid and fixed. Yet, when women become were fighting for the right to be a part of the military institution, they were challenging the gender norms. Throughout the readings in our class, one main and recurring drawback of why women have been excluded from combat roles is because these women were challenging the social gender norms. According to Segal, it is difficult to include women into the military because of social construction of gender; women have to be perceived as changing to fit the military. Dowler claims as well that women in combat roles are “out of place” from the acceptable gender norms. She claims that even today, combat roles are only defined as such if women aren’t in that specific role. Dombrowski as well says that it is fascinating how the male-dominated institution of the military expresses their fear of women inte...

    Read More

  • Snow White And Cinderella Gender Analysis

    1427 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, Tangled offers strong evidence that Disney’s representation of its female princesses has changed very little over the years (Ellorin). Rapunzel’s big eyes and gorgeous long lashes are now a trademark belonging to almost every Disney Princess, as is the tiny waist and elegantly curved body image “Western standards of beauty” (Cohen). Rapunzel’s tremendously long, blonde hair is symbolic of her prime and purity; also has been used as a weapon as a rope and whip on occasion and the object of her mother’s, and men’s, desire. Her hair is a metaphor for her virginal youth and beauty. Flynn fights other men for this, and it is essentially significant to him because of the riches, authority and “bragging rights” it could get him. Her hair is the reason her jealous mother Gothel follows her, because of it’s magic healing powers it possesses, which helps her mother stay young and beautiful. Patriarchal portrayals of optimal femininity have led to the sexualization of Disney’s princesses, creating the Disney Princess stereotype. In comparison then, Snow White and Tangled are “prototypical Disney” (Manduke). They represent the classic male of female youth and beauty, as well as conformity to the significant order. Just as Snow White is a victim until her prince rescues her, Rapunzel is not confident enough to violate her mother’s orders until handsome Flynn Ryder enters her tower.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Disney Films on Society

    1284 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Disney film Mulan, the character for Mulan plays an important part to support the example of a woman not satisfied with her state of being and subordinated position in society and therefore, takes action to show others her true capabilities and qualities. This prototype is scarcely depicted in today’s cartoons and films so that children rarely identify with this image. “Mulan” helps to promote this role model of an intelligent woman and could be the first step in breaking gender constraints. In addition, it might teach children that they have to find their own state of happiness rather than trying desperately to fulfill society’s expectations.

    Read More

  • Little Mermaid Appropriation

    770 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Disney motion pictures they exhibit exceptional enlivened movies to make satisfaction through deception of reality which is profoundly established in close perception of this present reality and goes for greatest solace for gathering of people. Remote motion pictures from Disney such as Aladdin, Mulan, and Pocahontas are based off of customary stories. Disney is getting more pluralism and giving individuals a perspective of remote societies. Mulan is a decent case of a Disney motion picture where Orientalism is seen all through. Disney depict every one of the characters with yellow skin, meager lips and inclination eyes paying little heed to the way that Asians are all diverse and have novel attributes.

    Read More

  • Sociology In Mulan

    1452 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mulan tells that the story of brave Mulan. Mulan did not want her elderly father to fight in the war, so she disguised as a man and joined in her father 's army. Finally, Mulan defeated the Huns and Shan Yu (leader of the Huns) with her partners in barracks. This Disney film portrays the conflict perspective, feminism, and symbolic interaction perspective.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Feminism In The Movie Mulan

    1331 Words  | 3 Pages

    The classic Disney movie, Mulan, is often praised as a film involving feminist empowerment, but upon closer look just the opposite appears to be true. The classic storyline includes Mulan, a young Chinese woman, taking over her fragile father’s place in the Chinese army, disguised as a man named Ping. She trains among the other soldiers, becoming one of the very best with her accompanying guardian dragon, Mushu and a cricket her grandmother gave her for luck for the matchmakers by her side. She ends up saving all of China by revealing that the Huns are back and invading the country, and is honored as a hero. This movie breaks away from the typical damsel in distress princess story by having a single woman save all of China. However, on Mulan’s journey she faced extreme female shaming, and experienced stereotypes attempting to belittle her; all

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Movie Mulan

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mulan reinforces the traditional ideas of masculinity in the song, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” (Mulan 1998). The lyrics, “Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns. Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?”(Mulan, 1998) portrays the traditional gender roles of men; it claims that male is the only sex that is able to fight. The goal of this scene is to “make a man” out of the new recruits. The movie Mulan asserts that being feminine is detrimental to the war effort. Instead, the docile, feminine recruits have to be transformed into men. This song in Mulan argues that one should strive towards being a "man";

    Read More

More about Mulan: A Woman on a Mission

Open Document