'How can they tell if I am male or female?' With this last line of 'The Ballad of Mulan' the (anonymous) author raises the gender question already in the 6th century.
In this essay, I would like to analyse The Representation of Gender in Walt Disney’s 'Mulan', using the structure of the movie to focus on The Protagonist Fa Mulan, the Treatment of Women and the Depiction of Men. Additionally, the inquiry concerning the Meaning of Song Texts in Disney’s 'Mulan' appears useful as these always play an important role in conveying movie themes.
In order to establish a connection to the seminar on which this paper is based, I will illustrate how the movie is a good example for Judith Butler’s theory of Gender as Performance. Last but not least, I would like to show the Influence of Disney’s 'Mulan' on Society because fairy tales and movies '[…] do influence the manner in which children conceive the world and their places in it […]'.
Drawing the 'Conclusion', I will try a careful approach to find out if Disney’s 'Mulan' might even be considered as a feminist movie. (...)
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Short Summary of Disney's “Mulan”
- 3 The Representation of Gender
- 3.1 The Protagonist Fa Mulan
- 3.2 Treatment of Women
- 3.3 Depiction of Men
- 3.4 Meaning of Song Texts presented in Disney's “Mulan”
- 4 Gender as Performance
- 5 “Mulan’s” Influence on Society
- 6 Conclusion: Disney's “Mulan” – A feminist movie?
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes the representation of gender in Disney's "Mulan," examining how the film portrays Mulan, women, and men within a patriarchal society. It explores how the film functions as an example of Judith Butler's theory of gender as performance and considers the film's influence on children and society. The ultimate goal is to carefully consider whether "Mulan" can be classified as a feminist film.
- Gender roles and expectations in a patriarchal society
- Mulan's journey of self-discovery and defiance of societal norms
- The portrayal of women and men in the film
- The significance of song lyrics in conveying thematic messages
- The film's potential influence on societal perceptions of gender
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of gender representation in Disney's "Mulan." It begins by referencing the original "Ballad of Mulan" and its inherent exploration of gender ambiguity. The chapter outlines the essay's structure, focusing on Mulan as the protagonist, the film's depiction of women and men, the meaning of the songs, and the film's connection to Butler's theory of gender as performance. Finally, it introduces the intention to analyze the film's societal impact and its potential feminist interpretation.
2 Short Summary of Disney's “Mulan”: This chapter provides a concise plot summary of Disney's "Mulan." It highlights Mulan's initial struggle with societal expectations and her subsequent decision to disguise herself as a man to serve in the Imperial Army in place of her ailing father. The summary details Mulan's military success and her eventual exposure. Finally, it concludes with Mulan's heroic rescue of the Emperor and her choice to return to her family.
3 The Representation of Gender: This chapter delves into the representation of gender in the film through several sub-sections. It begins with an in-depth analysis of Mulan's character, contrasting her initial struggle to conform to feminine ideals with her subsequent transformation and empowerment. This section analyzes how Mulan's journey challenges the traditional portrayal of female characters in fairy tales. The chapter then proceeds to examine the film's representation of other female and male characters. This provides a broader context for understanding gender dynamics within the film's narrative.
Keywords
Gender representation, Disney's Mulan, feminism, gender performance, patriarchal society, societal influence, female empowerment, gender roles, Chinese culture, self-discovery.
Disney's "Mulan": A Feminist Film? - FAQ
What is this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an essay analyzing the representation of gender in Disney's "Mulan." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The essay examines how the film portrays gender roles, challenges societal norms, and potentially contributes to feminist discourse.
What are the main themes explored in the essay?
The essay's central themes revolve around gender roles and expectations within a patriarchal society, Mulan's journey of self-discovery and defiance, the portrayal of women and men in the film, the significance of song lyrics, and the film's potential influence on societal perceptions of gender. A key focus is on whether "Mulan" can be considered a feminist film.
What is covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Sets the stage for the analysis, referencing the original ballad and outlining the essay's structure. Chapter 2 (Summary of Mulan): Provides a concise plot summary of Disney's "Mulan." Chapter 3 (Representation of Gender): In-depth analysis of Mulan's character and the film's portrayal of women and men. Chapter 4 (Gender as Performance): (Likely) explores the film through the lens of Judith Butler's theory of gender performance. Chapter 5 (Mulan's Influence): (Likely) discusses the societal impact of the film. Chapter 6 (Conclusion): Concludes by assessing whether "Mulan" is a feminist film.
How does the essay analyze gender representation?
The essay analyzes gender representation by examining Mulan's character arc, comparing it to traditional female portrayals. It also analyzes the representation of other female and male characters, and the meaning conveyed through the film's songs. The lens of Judith Butler's theory of gender performance is also applied.
What are the key keywords associated with the essay?
Key keywords include: Gender representation, Disney's Mulan, feminism, gender performance, patriarchal society, societal influence, female empowerment, gender roles, Chinese culture, and self-discovery.
What is the overall goal of the essay?
The ultimate goal is to determine whether Disney's "Mulan" can be classified as a feminist film by carefully examining its portrayal of gender roles, societal influences, and Mulan’s personal journey.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Blum (Author), 2007, The Representation of Gender in Walt Disney's "Mulan", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/92028
