Honor To Us All Analysis

Mulan presents a very accurate representation of the gender and identity issues that many women in today’s society endure. What many do not understand about gender is that “gender differences are a ‘socialized but relatively fixed identity, organized around biological sex.’” (Eisenberg) The very first song in the movie, “Honor to Us All,” displays the characteristics a woman should have, as fixed by society. More specifically, the song details the characteristics a woman should have in order to attain a husband, as if that is the only goal a woman should have, and this will honor her family. Mulan struggles to become an “instant bride” (Mulan) because she is not consumed with her appearance and becoming what it takes to be considered a “woman.” She writes notes on her forearm for the bridal examination because she must force herself to achieve the fixed identity of a woman. Along her transformation process, she passes by a game of checkers, which suits her interests more than finding a husband. She is quickly pulled away from the game because women should not be concerned with intellect, only their appearance. Mulan’s mother says, “Men want girls with good taste, calm, obedient, who work fast paced.” (Mulan) In order to be considered …show more content…
“A Girl Worth Fighting For” reinforces that society belittles women to simple characteristics that are profitable for men. Women become nothing more than a cook or an admirer in this song, certainly not an intellectual companion or equivalent partner for these men. When Mulan suggests “how about a girl who’s got a brain, who always speaks her mind,” (Mulan) none of the men are interested. While women themselves reinforce gender differences, especially those that will gain them social acceptance, men help propagate them too by favoring women based on superficial