Riding the fence is a bit annoying. I myself grow irritated with people that won’t take sides, if at the very least for “important things,” but I am now in that awkward spot. That uncomfortable position of “Tim said [insert meany Tim saying here], how could you not take my side!?”
>But Tim and I are bro’s too! Can’t take sides.
Yet, they don’t care. You’re still just as irritating as that mean ‘ole Tim.
However, it’s not because I don’t want to get involved in some petty spat. It’s a case of both sides being a little right and a little wrong. This is the case with Mulan. Mulan doesn’t only break down gender rules. Mulan doesn’t strictly re-enforce them either.
A] Mulan breaks gender roles in different ways.
1] Mulan expresses, with clear dialog [despite her singing] that she doesn’t feel as though she fits into her appointed role. “Look at me- I will never pass for a perfect bride- Or a perfect daughter- Can it be- I'm not meant to play this part?-…Who is that girl I see- Staring straight- Back at me?- Why is my reflection someone- I don't know?- Somehow I cannot hide- Who I am- Though I've tried.” In this Mulan isn’t suffering from Princess Jasmine syndrome. She doesn’t necessarily feel “put upon” by her “role.” Wherein Jasmine was running because she didn’t like her responsibilities, Mulan was instead fighting to embrace it. In this Mulan is saying “I am not this model of woman nor can I be.” It’s not often said so blatantly, if at all, in Disney female characters.
2] Mulan makes it a point to take on the role of a man. Not only does she dress and attempt to act as the opposite gender she fully takes it on and advances in it. Nor does she allow negativity to push her away from it. It even seems as though she grows to enjoy herself. It could be argued that her mental strength grows with her bodily strength.
3] There’s humour that follows a lot of the male’s perception of women and what women they “want.” Mulan: “How 'bout a girl who's got a brain- Who always speaks her mind?” Men- “Nah!// My manly ways and turn of phrase are sure to thrill her- He thinks he's such a lady-killer.”
If we don’t giggle at this, and other parts of the song as well, I think we aren’t “not getting it.” That men are shallow was supposed to be an amusing jab at stereotypes.
B] However, 1] That is a stereo type, and there are others as well. When ever the men act effeminate it’s as the mercy of ridicule and for the sake of humour. Such as when the “consultant” is mocked for being feminine, then proceeds to really “squeal like a girl.” It was funny, however his masculinity was at stake and being scoffed at.
2] Not only this, but what a man is supposed to be is expressed in the song “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” and pushed on to Mulan, despite her being eager to master the presented challenge. It goes on about how “sad” and “spineless” Mulan’s troop of men are. The general consensus is about men having abnormal amounts of “inner fire” and mega awesome “focus”; that is, being a man is based entirely around mental and physical “strength” as defined by someone obviously far more macho.
3] Mulan has to “dress up” and “play a man” just to be accepted into this mold.
So, while I think Mulan does a good job of breaking a lot of gender rules I believe there are still some moments of reinforcing them.
I suppose we can’t have everything.
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