Gender Typed Behaviour (2013) YouTube Video Recording, Psychologypsikoloji
Mulan has a genuinely complex personality. She is selfless, independent and strong (WordPress, 2012). Her choices are always based on doing the right thing, never for her own greed, but for the benefit of everyone. Mulan is a princess who has faults like every human being. She writes cheat notes on her arm, she does not look beautiful when she gets out of bed, she's clumsy, socially awkward, and also has moments when she doubts herself, or doesn't like what she sees when she looks in a mirror. This makes Mulan a much more relatable and idolised character (WordPress, 2012).
Even though Mulan is not as physically capable as her fellow army companions, she uses wit and her mind to outsmart the enemy. ShanYu (leader of the Huns) immediately attacks Captain Shang because he sees him as an immediate threat. When Shan Yu is faced against Mulan, he looks at her like the rest of society sees Mulan, a passive, submissive female, which gives Mulan the opportunity to find a way to defeat him. Mulan does not win because she fights harder; she wins because she fights smarter (Warner, 2014). When Mulan is in her traditional clothes it is evident that she does not possess the typical Disney princess figure. Mulan's legs and thighs are thicker and more muscular than the usual Disney heroine and her face is more round than oval (Warner, 2014). Mulan also doesn't express any fairy tale desire about finding romance or begin rescued. There are no signs of romance until the very end of the film and as Mulan was dressed as a man throughout majority of the film (WordPress, 2012). Shang becomes attracted to her based on her intellect and strength, not her physical appearance. Disney is merely reiterating the expected gender conventions that were expected when and where the film takes place and empowering females. It proves that you can do anything you put your mind to and don't need a man or marriage to be satisfied (Warner, 2014). Source: (Disney, 2015)
|
Mulan is a loving girl who is always brave and bold. When her country needs it most, she disguises herself as a man and goes off to fight. She uses courage and determination to win the day.
The Chinese legend of Fa Mulan focuses on a young woman who disguises herself as a man in order to take her father's place in the army. Disney adapted this Chinese legend and turned it into a positive feminist message for young girls to feel more empowered about their gender (Warner, 2014).
Typically, in Disney films, women are stereotypically portrayed as sensual and submissive, which is evident at the beginning of Mulan. When Mulan is getting ready to meet the matchmaker, various women are teaching Mulan how she is expected to act in front of a man. The opening song, 'Honor to us all', contains 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... You'll bring honor to us all." These lyrics support the notion that it is only through marriage and conformity within domestic life that a woman can bring honor to her family (Warner, 2014). The beginning sequence and the match maker scene is more of a satirical comment on Disney's behalf, playing with gender roles and attempting to make a point about the inequality of men and women.
Mulan, knowing her place as a young woman in the Northern Wei Dynasty, understands that patriarchy exists in her culture. When Mulan's father receives conscription for the army, Mulan's mother knows she will never see her husband again, but cannot do anything to stop him, and Mulan is also expected to be in this powerless position (WordPress, 2012). There are many instances where Mulan is reminded of this patriarchy. As Mulan speaks out of term when she resists her father's conscription, Chi-Fu, the emperor's adviser, reminds Mulan not to speak while she is in the presence of a man. Also, Mulan's father says to Mulan, “I know my place. It is time you learned yours.” I'll Make a Man out of You (2013) YouTube Video Recording, Emerald Tiger
Throughout the film there are multiple instances where 'girl' is used as an insult. When Mulan is found out as a woman, Chi-Fu says, "I knew there was something wrong with you! A woman!" and later he says, "She'll never be worth anything! She;s a woman." Mulan is a character that was not going to be passive about her problems, but take action. She realises that she is not powerless. She does not sit thinking of the fact that she is a woman. She believes she has to take action in order to save her people (Warner, 2014). |