Annliya George
An old Chinese folk story called the Ballad of Mulan (木兰辞 Mùlán Cí) inspired Disney to make movies, resharing the tale with the rest of the world. In 1998 they released an animated version which was so successful that it earned a sequel in 2004. In 2020 they remade it using real-life actors, to update and rejuvenate it for a new generation to enjoy.
Through the story of how she became a war hero, Mulan brings to light the issues of patriarchy and toxic masculinity, inferior treatment of women, and a woman’s worth being defined by their beauty, etiquette, and marriage.
I love how these movies break through gender norms, by blurring the stereotypical gender roles. Mulan disguises herself as a man, and grows into an amazing, brave, and clever soldier, showing us that women are just as capable and intelligent as men. If not, even more intelligent (*wink*).
“brute force cannot be used to break through the big doors”
Mulan highlights the problem that the notion of masculinity we define with strength and aggression is toxic because it doesn’t necessarily cause victory all the time. It shows that brute force cannot be used to break through the big doors like intelligence and creativity. Feminine skills and femininity also are important and valuable.
Mulan demonstrates that conventionally feminine skills aren’t only equally valid, but also can be more useful. The movies are teaching little girls and small boys that you simply don’t need to wear a dress or shoot an arrow, but it’s okay if you would like to, and they even encourage them to do both. It is also refreshing that her romantic interests take a back seat. There’s nothing wrong with a small amount of romance, of course, but it’s meaningful that Mulan isn’t defined by it. Rather than being a victim or waiting around for a guy to rescue her, Mulan is the one doing all the rescuing – she saves her father, her love interest, and, oh yeah, her entire country.
Mulan is as far away from being a damsel in distress as you’ll get. Her story doesn’t revolve around a person – it’s completely her own. The focus is on Mulan’s journey – not just the physical one, in which she goes off to war, but also the internal one, in which she finds herself.
“She’s clumsy and awkward, outspoken and impulsive”
One of the amazing things about Mulan is, she loves her family over anything and desires to keep them happy, but, at the same time, she chafes against the expectations and restrictions they, and society in general, place upon her. She’s clumsy and awkward, outspoken and impulsive, but she tries her best. Still, all that effort leaves Mulan feeling isolated and lonely because she doesn’t fit the perfect, idealised picture of what a woman should be. The alienation of not fitting in are some things almost everybody can relate to growing up – and even as an adult.
“It’s the world that needs to change, not her”
There’s comfort in that relatability, but above all within the way that the story ultimately validates Mulan. It’s the world that needs to change, not her – and it’s her actions that help to do it. It’s exactly the kind of message we all needed to hear growing up, and it’s more relevant in 2021 than ever.
Mulan isn’t just a Disney princess – she’s the kind of hero the world needs.
Featured image courtesy of Taha on Unsplash. No changes or alterations were made to this image. Image license found here.
