Mulan Movie Analysis: Main Themes
In this work “Mulan Movie Analysis: Main Themes” we will research the main topics and problems of cartoons. The 1998 Disney film “Mulan” takes place in China’s Sui Dynasty, during a time of war against the Huns. As Chinese traditions proclaim, it is customary that during a time of war, one male representative of each family makes themselves ready to serve a term in the military. Mulan’s family unfortunately comprises of all females apart from her father, being only one male. Her father has served his term in the military as a young man and is now much older and depends on a cane to get around. Mulan takes it upon herself to skillfully disguise herself as a man in order to take her father’s place in the ranks. Mulan challenges her traditional roles and goes against the ideal culture of the time. The film “Mulan” has a variety of different concepts and ideas presented throughout the film. There are specific beliefs around the idea of women exhibiting traits of femininity and staying in their place essentially, along with certain expectations and duties that they must fulfill. Furthermore, there are certain factors to take into consideration when analyzing this film. It is easy to see that there are beliefs, values, and traditions heavily embedded in individuals. A different factor of this film is built on the time frame of a nation at war. In this film, there is a focus on gender, feminism, and the sociological aspects of Chinese culture and values.
The first level of analysis that this film shows is categorized as meso-level, meaning an examination of a specific group or community, the idea of focusing on social patterns and social ties within a group and exploring what affects the overall group. Meaning that it is a society that can also interact with other societies. Although throughout the film the focus seems to be primarily on Mulan and her family, however, the overall story is much bigger than that. The problems of conformity go beyond her family’s home. Every female and male in China is to abide by the socially accepted folkways of the time and be more embedded in the culture. Mulan was the first to go to the extent that she did, challenging authority and traditional roles all the while holding true to her belief that she is abiding by her own morals. The family is mainly used as a representation of what is taking place in homes and families throughout China at the time.
The film is based in a preindustrial period, meaning that this society functions mechanically and not organically. Mechanical solidary is defined as a type of social order maintained by the collective consciousness of a culture. The social order is heavily based on traditions and beliefs of the time. It seems that no one questions the structure behind the society and blindly follows because of an “it has always been done this way” mentality, it seems as if people sanction this way of life. When an individual sanctions, it is described as giving their support, approval, or permission, or by instilling formal actions of disapproval and nonsupport. In the film, Non-material culture seems to take precedence, this consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society. The family seems to show apparent disapproval, culminating into an argument in one scene, in which Mulan is at home and she has an outburst about her father going to fight in the war. Mulan and her dad have a discussion and it ends with Mulan being yelled, as her father exclaims “I know my place it is time you learned yours”. When Mulan hears this, it further shows the beliefs that the society had and shows that anything to go against the norm is not permissible. This system goes hand in hand with the acknowledgment that this film is based on nonmaterial culture, Male and female characters in the film were adorned in traditional Chinese garb. They both wear similar garments the men in loose-fitting robes while the women traditionally wore tunics, and both wore open-toed shoes. Characters also practice specific customs such as praying to their ancestors, the beliefs of praying to ancestors falls as a baseline of social norm. It appears that regardless of which gender or class you were, this is a common practice.
The Feminist theory now comes into play during the film, the intention of it is to comprehend the inequalities between men and women. In one scene in which this is portrayed, Mulan runs out of her home to attempt to convince the emperor’s officials that her father should not be forced to fight in a war, due to him having already served his military term as a younger man. As she struggled with her words, the official screamed in return “silence”. He follows up with, “you must do well to teach your daughter to stay silent when a man is present” her father appeases the official in saying to his daughter, “Mulan you dishonor me”. This dialogue shows that women are not seen as equals to men, but as inferior. It also shows that in this society, it is not only seen as breaking a norm and going against gender roles but it is seen as dishonorable and a disrespectful act to those around you and your family namesake. Another important scene to dissect is the opening scene, which revolved around Mulan meets the matchmaker. This meeting was intended to get her ready; she is bathed, dressed nicely, and her make-up is done. During her meeting, she is asked a series of questions on what a lady is supposed to do as well as being critiqued on her appearance, etiquette, and overall knowledge, symbolizing what is seen as a women’s worth and place in Chinese culture. The matchmaker scene illustrates the pressures that women have within their society. The women seem to only have one purpose., which is to find a good man to marry and bear strong and capable sons. Women’s values are based upon how they exhibit grace, obedience, and their ability to birth sons. Furthermore, near the end of the film after Mulan has saved China, the negative views of women are still seemingly intact. One dialogue in particular that showcases this is between the Emperor’s Council and Captain Shang. The council states “Stand aside! That creature’s not worth protecting!” and “She’ll never be worth anything”. At this point in time, she has already gone above and beyond the call to prove herself as worthy, yet the point of view is still prejudiced, at one point choosing not to even acknowledge her as a human being; but instead choosing to refer to her as a creature.
Conflict theory can also be seen displayed in multiple points throughout the film Mulan. Conflict theory is known as, looking at society as a competition for limited resources. Additionally, seeing society as being made up of individuals in different social classes who must compete for social, material, and political resources such as food and housing, employment, education, and leisure time. When looking at conflict theory it can be seen by dividing into two groups, the proletariat, being the lowest economic class, and the bourgeoisie, or those that own the means of production.
Lastly, there is conflict when looking at gender throughout the film. Gender refers to behaviors, personality traits, and social positions that society attributes to being female and male. Throughout the film, it is evident that females are seen as inferiors in this male-dominated society. As previously stated, females are consistently talked down to and gaslighted. They are not only talked to in a demeaning fashion per se but are constantly dismissed or outright silenced by males when speaking. This is a norm in this society, and those who go against it are seen to be acting in a deviant manner. Gender roles are also heavily enforced in the everyday life of people. Gender roles are the societal concept of how men and women are expected to look and how they should behave. Mulan went against her society’s gender roles to a boundless extent. When she chose to impersonate a soldier to take her father’s place in the army, she went against not only societal norms and mores but went against the law itself. When Mulan is discovered to be a female, she is nearly killed, Captain Shang was near completion of his orders to execute Mulan, which was a formal sanction as per the Kaihuang Code which was the uniformed code of military justice as well as the code of law for all of society. A formal sanction is sanctions that are officially recognized and enforced. In this case, Mulan’s actions are seen as an act of treason and are considered a serious crime, that is punishable by death in this case by beheading.
The animated Disney film Mulan is more than just a tale of love and the empowerment of a young woman that showed that going against the grain can bring a great deal of honor and of acceptance from those she holds dear. This movie, which is intended for children takes a dive into a variety of sociological aspects, concepts, and overall problems. Problems with inequality of social status make numerous appearances within the film along with conflicts of war fueled by ornate hunger for power. Mulan is also filled with a strong belief system and strong-willed ideals that are embedded within society, and that affect the individuals living in this period of Chinese culture. It shows throughout the film, a demeaning and utterly prejudiced tone toward and against women. It also emphasized what women’s roles are expected to look like, in this film; the ideal woman is portrayed as obedient to men, remains quiet, and bearing sons. In addition, it also demonstrates the idea that if a woman were to go against the beliefs that are rooted in her society then it classifies those actions as a symbol for the dishonor of the family namesake and disrespect to their ancestors. It seems as if the film is made to appear on the surface as a righteous film, made with the purpose of making young girls feel empowered and motivated to challenge unjust norms that may be taking place around them. What is not specified or shown are all of the hidden aspects encompassed in the journey and difficulties faced along the long treacherous path ahead.
