Mulan Essay
Animated Movie Analysis (Mulan)
For: Mr. Gray
Due Date: November 20th 2014
By: Jordan Utsalo
Analyzing the Messages
Mulan is Disney film unlike most others of its kind. “Right off the bat, Mulan encourages the idea that a woman can do all the work that a man can. Even the idea that a woman is entitled to do all the work a man does” (Cholvin, 2013). Mulan does a great job of portraying the idea that women can be as capable as men if they are only given a chance. Dissimilar to your average Disney film about a Caucasian princess needing to be saved by a man, Mulan is shown to be strong, independent, and capable and also of a different ethnic background. Regardless of all of the clear, positive messages and …show more content…
The first song, “Honor To Us All”, has the following lyrics: “A girl can bring her family great honor in one way, by striking a good match, and this could be the day. Men want girls with good taste, calm, obedient, who work fast-paced. With good breeding and a tiny waist…” (Minna, 2012). It gives the idea that the only value Mulan and all other women have is to look pretty, get married and speak when spoken to, and essentially be an accessory to a man. Also there are many times where the word “girl” is used as a derogatory term. When Mulan is outed as a woman Chi Fu says, “I knew there was something wrong with you! A woman!” and later says, “She’ll never be worth anything! She’s a woman!” (Minna, 2012). The idea that women are worth less than men is reinforced constantly throughout the film. Moreover, gender stereotypes don’t only pertain to women. The song “Be a Man” glorifies the stereotype of what a man should be, big, strong, fearless, and brave. It is also important to mention that Mulan internalizes these messages and must “become a man” in order to save China because clearly in that time period woman couldn’t be as swift, strong and competent as a man can. All things considered the film Mulan is rife with an intense amount of gender and racial stereotypes and expectations in which some are not so easily
For: Mr. Gray
Due Date: November 20th 2014
By: Jordan Utsalo
Analyzing the Messages
Mulan is Disney film unlike most others of its kind. “Right off the bat, Mulan encourages the idea that a woman can do all the work that a man can. Even the idea that a woman is entitled to do all the work a man does” (Cholvin, 2013). Mulan does a great job of portraying the idea that women can be as capable as men if they are only given a chance. Dissimilar to your average Disney film about a Caucasian princess needing to be saved by a man, Mulan is shown to be strong, independent, and capable and also of a different ethnic background. Regardless of all of the clear, positive messages and …show more content…
The first song, “Honor To Us All”, has the following lyrics: “A girl can bring her family great honor in one way, by striking a good match, and this could be the day. Men want girls with good taste, calm, obedient, who work fast-paced. With good breeding and a tiny waist…” (Minna, 2012). It gives the idea that the only value Mulan and all other women have is to look pretty, get married and speak when spoken to, and essentially be an accessory to a man. Also there are many times where the word “girl” is used as a derogatory term. When Mulan is outed as a woman Chi Fu says, “I knew there was something wrong with you! A woman!” and later says, “She’ll never be worth anything! She’s a woman!” (Minna, 2012). The idea that women are worth less than men is reinforced constantly throughout the film. Moreover, gender stereotypes don’t only pertain to women. The song “Be a Man” glorifies the stereotype of what a man should be, big, strong, fearless, and brave. It is also important to mention that Mulan internalizes these messages and must “become a man” in order to save China because clearly in that time period woman couldn’t be as swift, strong and competent as a man can. All things considered the film Mulan is rife with an intense amount of gender and racial stereotypes and expectations in which some are not so easily