...Is the Story of Mulan an inspirational tale to women or a subtle reminder by Disney about a woman’s place in society? One could say that they Disney princesses are all the same – Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty- they’re all tall, skinny, undeniably beautiful with their long flowing hair and fabulous gowns. They all play the damsel in distress, completely helpless to fend for themselves in the real world. They all await their happily ever after with the handsome prince charming. Mulan however, is different – or at least upon first glance appears to be. In the film, this young woman plays two opposing roles. On one hand, Mulan is the clumsy young woman, considered such an unfit bride that even the matchmaker considers there to be no hope for her “You are a disgrace, you may look like a bride but you will never bring your family honour...” On the other hand, she also plays Ping, the fearless young soldier who was loved by all, who grew from strength to strength and pretty much singlehandedly saved China from the invasion of the Huns. In order for Mulan to save her father from conscription she must give up her female self to pose as a man and join the army. This however, as far as Mulan is concerned, isn’t such a huge loss as she feels she really doesn’t fit in as a traditional Chinese woman. In the opening song she lists all that she is expected to be as a woman, as the perfect Chinese woman – quiet...
Words: 1845 - Pages: 8
...MULAN Overview In mythology, the journey of a hero is an ancient and universal theme. In every culture from ancient Greece to China, Southeast Asia, and the Americas, heroes have embarked on life-altering journeys (Kurtti 1998: 11). Stuart Voytilla states that there are twelve stages to a hero’s journey and no matter what the purpose is for their journey, in the end the heroes or in this case heroine, share the same destination. It does not matter if the hero gains a kingdom or returns home with the elixir, as mythologist Alexander Eliot puts it, “he actually earns self-integration, balance, wisdom, and spiritual health” (Kurtti 1998: 11). One of the most renowned and beloved of these “wandering heroes” says Kurtti, is a young woman named Mulan. It is a story that is well known in China and has been told from generation to generation. “Mulan” is a Disney animated film based on an ancient Chinese folktale about a brave young woman who is faced with the terrible dilemmas of war during ancient China. She is not like any of the other Disney heroines, such as Cinderella or Ariel from the “Little Mermaid”. You do not see her daydreaming or looking for her “Prince Charming” in the film. All she wanted to do was to please and honor her family. But every time she tried, it seemed as though she was destined to fail. She also had one simple motivation and that was to save her father from having to serve in the Imperial Army. So when the emperor sent his orders to the...
Words: 3444 - Pages: 14
...Jonathan Chambers December 9, 2013 History Mulan Comparison The movie Mulan was surprising similar to many ideas and events in China’s history. Sometimes, movies are not realistic and even give a false account of historical events. I thought, for the most part, that Mulan was an excellent representation of China’s army and how it functioned during the Qin Dynasty. In the movie, Mulan volunteered to go to war for her father when he was called to serve. When her father was called to go to war, he was old and crippled but the army commander didn’t care. This is an example of the inflexibility and harsh rules of the army which truly did exist. Mulan enlisted in the army as a young boy, without a whole lot of physical strength but the army was just as hard on her as anyone else. It didn’t matter what the excuse was, you were expected to serve, and serve well. There was great pride in serving in the army and many wanted to serve to make their ancestors proud. In the religion in China, it is important to make your dead relatives proud and help you get a better place when you die. Also, in Chinese culture, a woman’s place was one of quiet obedience. This was displayed in Mulan in the beginning when she was being prepared to be married off and was told to be quiet when she tried to say what she really wanted to do. Women were not allowed in the army and this was said during the movie, too. Also, when the women were getting Mulan ready, they used jade, which was believed...
Words: 516 - Pages: 3
...Mulan Archetypes In the movie Mulan, the character Mulan embodies a couple very significant archetypes. One major archetype she embodies is the hero. She is the hero of the movie because she saved china from being taken over. She first started to become a hero when she snuck out of her house the night before her farther was supposed to leave for war. She put on her fathers armor and left for war. The whole time she was in war she convinced the other soldiers that she was a man. When the Huns attacked china Mulan was a hero because she saved all of the soldiers by shooting a cannon into a mountain top creating an avalanche which stopped the Huns. She also becomes a hero at the end of the movie when the Huns return to china and almost overtake the emperor, but Mulan once again saved them all by leading the soldiers to take down Shan Yu and the Huns. The other archetype that Mulan embodies in the movie is the Scapegoat. She is the scapegoat because her father was supposed to got to war with the soldiers even though he was old and hurt. He could hardly walk but was going to suck it up for his country. Mulan couldn’t watch her father go knowing he probably wouldn’t make it back. So she took his responsibility and went to war. She also took his suffering away from his because she ended up getting stabbed and injured. She did it all for her father and that is why she embodies the hero and scapegoat archetypes in the...
Words: 270 - Pages: 2
...been recognized as heroes than women. Is it because men are more determined and stronger than women? A woman who has proven that this wrong is Hua Mu Lan. Mulan is worthy of the title “hero” because she was an inspirational, courageous and unselfish warrior. In ancient China, women were not allowed to join the army, because society thought women were not as capable as men. Mulan proved them wrong. She was able to stay in the army for ten years disguised as a man. She was successful in battle and she made important contributions to her country. More importantly, she inspired society to empower women. One of Mulan’s most significant and inspirational qualities was that she was courageous all throughout her life. To honor her country, she joined the army. If her masquerade had been exposed, it would have resulted in the death penalty. Yet she mounted her steed and went into battle, while risking her life many times. Mulan was able to hold fort against an invading army. Many of her foes fell before her. At the palace of Chang’an, she was recognized as the bravest of knights. Mulan is a hero not only because she was courageous; she was unselfish too. The incident which best attests to this trait was this: after returning in triumph from war, the emperor offered her a promotion in top ranks and whatever she desired. Mulan refused such an enviable future and simply asked to be returned home. This is why Hua Mu Lan deserves the title “hero”. She changed the views of society...
Words: 299 - Pages: 2
...For this assignment I chose to do the Disney movie Mulan. I chose this movie because the main character, Fa Mulan, has a journey that is an epitome of the word monomyth. According to Joseph Campbell a monomyth is a classic sequence of actions found in every hero’s journey where they set off on an adventure, they encounter a decisive crisis, is victorious, and comes back changed (Campbell, 2008). The movie Mulan is about a young Chinese bachelorette who seeks out a life of her own, where she can truly express who she is. Mulan knows that if she were to truly be herself she would bring dishonor to her family. When Shan Yu and the Huns invaded China, the emperor sends for one man from each household to partake in the war. Mulan’s adventure...
Words: 473 - Pages: 2
...Reflections BCOM/275 April 23, 2014 JACQUELINE GRAY-CRAWFORD Reflections Business Communications and Critical Thinking along with the Career Plan Building Activities are invaluable when thinking about the future. Any good business person has a strong base that is universal across the board and that base is their ability to effectively communicate. Knowing a person's strengths and weaknesses is important when trying to effectively communicate. Knowing your own strengths, wants, and weaknesses are even more important within the business community. The Career Plan Building Activities allow a person to gauge what is needed on a very basic level. The goals wanted along with the environment that is preferred can all rule out entire professions from a person's repertoire. These types of activates are truly a blessing since they allow the taker to gain insight and knowledge that is otherwise hard to gain. Business Communications and Critical Thinking is just as valuable as the Career Plan Activities since it provides a secure and stable base with which to start your professional persona upon. Communicating in a clear and professional manner is a skill that is required in any and all professional work settings. Having the skills to determine what form of communication is appropriate and to be able to accurately judge the audience's needs and wants can be applied in every aspect of a person's work performance. These two resources are important to the development...
Words: 316 - Pages: 2
...In the movie Mulan, the character Mulan embodies a couple very significant archetypes. One major archetype she embodies is the hero. She is the hero of the movie because she saved china from being taken over. She first started to become a hero when she snuck out of her house the night before her farther was supposed to leave for war. She put on her fathers armor and left for war. The whole time she was in war she convinced the other soldiers that she was a man. When the Huns attacked china Mulan was a hero because she saved all of the soldiers by shooting a cannon into a mountain top creating an avalanche which stopped the Huns. She also becomes a hero at the end of the movie when the Huns return to china and almost overtake the emperor, but Mulan once again saved them all by leading the soldiers to take down Shan Yu and the Huns. The other archetype that Mulan embodies in the movie is the Scapegoat. She is the scapegoat because her father was supposed to got to war with the soldiers even though he was old and hurt. He could hardly walk but was going to suck it up for his country. Mulan couldn’t watch her father go knowing he probably wouldn’t make it back. So she took his responsibility and went to war. She also took his suffering away from his because she ended up getting stabbed and injured. She did it all for her father and that is why she embodies the hero and scapegoat archetypes in the...
Words: 269 - Pages: 2
...It turns out to be a double-edged sword, because as much as the American audience is able to identify at some point with the hero or heroine, the Chinese market reacted negatively on the basis of the elements that were lost in the cartoon. The characters not only do not look Asian, they definitelly do not look Chinese, more resembling a mix between all of native Asian nationalities. Mulan in particular does not fit in the role of a woman in Chinese society, not only in reality, but also in the cartoon itself. Frank Langfitt relays that Chinese people see Disney's Mulan as too individualistic, “trying to break the bonds of a patriarchal society in which she has no place” (Langfitt). He also cites an ditorial in Shenzhen Panorama Weekly saying that “Americans who have experienced the once-hot woman's liberation movement obviously have difficulties understanding Mulan's traditional behavior and why this story has spread so widely” (Shenzhen Panorama Weekly). By trying to come to the Western audience, Disney lost too many elemental features of the legend of Mulan to remain...
Words: 515 - Pages: 3
...The inspiring Disney movie Mulan has both men and women stereotypes that are part of our society. In the beginning of the movie the main character Mulan is being prepped to see the towns matchmaker because she is now old enough to be married into another family. This could be showing little girls once they reach a certain age it is crucial to get married to please and honor your family just like it does in Mulan. The women characters in Mulan are the subordinates compared to the men; expecting one man from each family to fight against the invaders of China regardless of age or disabilities. When Mulans father gets called even though he already fought before and was injured Mulan tries to plead with the courtier. Being told she dishonors her father for speaking out of turn shows the typical stereotype that women should not voice their opinions and speak without permission. She ends up running away and impersonating a male soldier to protect her father; which if discovered she would be killed by the Army. While training for war with General Shang male stereotypes are then shown teaching little boys what a man is. The song “I’ll make a man out of you,” describes what a man must do or be to be a real man. General Shang first asks the question if he was sent daughters and not sons further implying that the women should be...
Words: 1804 - Pages: 8
...While Ping/Mulan is training to be fit for war the masculinity stereotype is brought up many times and shows that only the men can be strong or fight for themselves, which is another limitation put on women due to gender. Mulan reinforces the stereotypical ideas of masculinity in the scene where shang sings the song, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”. Masculinity is mostly defined in the movie by power, strength, and activity, which Mulan surely reinforces. The lyrics, “Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns. Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons?” shows the stereotypical representation of men because it upholds the fact that they are the only gender who are worthy to fight. Captain Shang's goal is to, “make a man,” out of the...
Words: 778 - Pages: 4
...The Languagelessness of Immigrants Ivy Dr. S. Xie English 239.03 Nov 21, 2012 People are in the fortunate position of choosing where in the world you would like to live. However, most immigrants facing removal proceedings are frequently hamstrung by language and cultural barriers. Both Kingston’s Woman Warrior and Suki Kim’s The Interpreter illustrate languagelessness of Chinese and Korean immigrants across American states, which are rejection by failing assimilation into American mainstream, loneliness and isolation from other people, and sense of identity crisis. Rejection by failing assimilation into American mainstream For the first generation born in America, it is especially difficult to reconcile the heavy-handed and often restrictive traditions of the emigrants with the relative freedom of life in America. In Women Warrior, Kingston draws a sharp contrast between her fantasy about Fa Mu Lan, the Chinese traditional woman warrior, and the defining moments of her real "American life." Fa Mu Lan had her village's grievances tattooed on her back; Kingston has Chinese stories practically drilled into her brain and is labeled with racial epithets. Her personal struggle and vengeance lie in making sense of the stories through writing, in depicting through words the struggles of growing up Chinese-American. There is an important difference, though, Fa Mu Lan could achieve her vengeance and then return home, but Kingston's vengeance seems to be a never-ending struggle...
Words: 1232 - Pages: 5
...been recognized as heroes than women. Is it because men are more determined and stronger than women? A woman who has proven that this wrong is Hua Mu Lan. Mulan is worthy of the title “hero” because she was an inspirational, courageous and unselfish warrior. In ancient China, women were not allowed to join the army, because society thought women were not as capable as men. Mulan proved them wrong. She was able to stay in the army for ten years disguised as a man. She was successful in battle and she made important contributions to her country. More importantly, she inspired society to empower women. One of Mulan’s most significant and inspirational qualities was that she was courageous all throughout her life. To honor her country, she joined the army. If her masquerade had been exposed, it would have resulted in the death penalty. Yet she mounted her steed and went into battle, while risking her life many times. Mulan was able to hold fort against an invading army. Many of her foes fell before her. At the palace of Chang’an, she was recognized as the bravest of knights. Mulan is a hero not only because she was courageous; she was unselfish too. The incident which best attests to this trait was this: after returning in triumph from war, the emperor offered her a promotion in top ranks and whatever she desired. Mulan refused such an enviable future and simply asked to be returned home. This is why Hua Mu Lan deserves the title “hero”. She changed the views of society...
Words: 301 - Pages: 2
...movie Mulan verse the real Mulan Do all movies compare to life? Mulan the movie is different from the real Mulan. There are some similarities and many differences. In both the movie and life Mulan declines the gifts and positions the emperor offered. One of the differences is in the movie it describes Mulan as unskilled but in real life she is very skilled. I will begin talking about Mulan the movie. When the Huns led by Shan Yu invade China each family is given a conscription notice. Mulan’s father has too many injuries from past wars. They are doubtful he would survive. Mulan secretly disguise herself as a man and goes to war with her horse. Mushu a small dragon is awakened to go wake up the...
Words: 660 - Pages: 3
...Title Have you grown up watching movies of different genres? There is about 500,000 movies that have been made in the entire world. I, however, have seen a wide variety of different movies. Some of them come from a producing company called Disney or Pixar. I have seen a lot of Disney and Pixar movies that are pretty good. The best three animated Disney and Pixar movies are Tangled, The Incredibles, and Mulan. First of all, I think that Tangled is a pretty good Disney movie. Tangled is a movie about a princess who wants to find out why there are glowing lanterns every time on her birthday. The princess, Rapunzel, is living in a tower because a person who claims to be her mother is keeping her there. Because she has magical hair that can heal...
Words: 408 - Pages: 2
