Disney’s infamous interpretation of Mulan illustrates various ideas of gender. One specific topic Disney touches on regarding gender would relate to the idea of masculinity. Characters such as Mulan’s father Fa Zhou, the “Hun” villain Shu Yu, Mulan’s love interest Li Shang, the emperor’s adviser Chi Fu, Mulan’s three soldier friends, and the emperor all demonstrate or challenge an idea of masculinity. Both Fa Zhou and Mulan’s soldier friends undermine or question male authority in Disney’s Mulan. Both Shan Yu and Chi Fu are vilified throughout the movie. Both Li Shang and the emperor are admirable. Each of these relationships either challenge or support the ideal male role models mentioned in Confucian values as well as the Mencius texts.
…show more content…
Li Shang is shown to be the love interest of Mulan towards the end of the movie. He becomes the captain of the army and leads his troops gracefully by teaching them the proper way to train for a war. Though he finds out his father has been murdered by the hands of Shan Yu, under filial piety , he continues to fight in honor of his father. Li Shag also exhibits a view of Mencius stating “human nature is good.” Li Shang spares the life of Mulan as a repayment of debt instead of ending her life under the law. He shows he is considerate and thoughtful enough to spare the life of a woman who saved his own. Li Shang also manages to join in her efforts to save the emperor after he puts his ego aside in realization of her being right about the “Huns” coming back to capture the emperor despite the occurrence of an avalanche which supposedly killed them all. Speaking of the emperor, he is also considered as admirable because he considers his people as his children. The wholesome feel of seeing one’s people as family gives the emperor a down to earth feel while he continues to exude masculinity through his ability to rule his nation. The emperor could also be seen as admirable because he honors Mulan for her efforts to save him rather than honoring the rule of the law stating she must be reprimanded for her duty in war as a …show more content…
Shan Yu is a prime example of a vilified character. Both his appearance and actions demonstrate ruthlessness and an insensitivity towards the safety and well being of others. This practice goes against the Confucian value of “righteousness; the moral disposition to do good.” There is a scene where Shan Yu picks up a little girl’s doll with intensions of burning down her village, which he accomplishes. He has no morals and will not let anything stand in his way towards his goal of taking down the emperor. The appearance of Shan Yu also contributes to his vilified persona. He is seen to be animal-like with bird eyes and a hawk sidekick. His body is quite large and seemingly indestructible as he is shown to survive a total avalanche. Shan Yu is not a man of Confucian values therefore his appearance resembles one of a barbarian. Chi Fu is vilified in a less harsh way as he opposes Shang Li becoming captain over everyone else despite his credentials. There is also a scene where Chi Fu is all for ending Mulan’s life after she is found out to be a woman in the war, which is punishable by death. The appearance of Chi Fu is quite scrawny and fragile. He is perceived to not have a wife, and this signifies Chi Fu undesirable under Confucian values because “when a man is born his parents hope he will find a
Li Shang is shown to be the love interest of Mulan towards the end of the movie. He becomes the captain of the army and leads his troops gracefully by teaching them the proper way to train for a war. Though he finds out his father has been murdered by the hands of Shan Yu, under filial piety , he continues to fight in honor of his father. Li Shag also exhibits a view of Mencius stating “human nature is good.” Li Shang spares the life of Mulan as a repayment of debt instead of ending her life under the law. He shows he is considerate and thoughtful enough to spare the life of a woman who saved his own. Li Shang also manages to join in her efforts to save the emperor after he puts his ego aside in realization of her being right about the “Huns” coming back to capture the emperor despite the occurrence of an avalanche which supposedly killed them all. Speaking of the emperor, he is also considered as admirable because he considers his people as his children. The wholesome feel of seeing one’s people as family gives the emperor a down to earth feel while he continues to exude masculinity through his ability to rule his nation. The emperor could also be seen as admirable because he honors Mulan for her efforts to save him rather than honoring the rule of the law stating she must be reprimanded for her duty in war as a …show more content…
Shan Yu is a prime example of a vilified character. Both his appearance and actions demonstrate ruthlessness and an insensitivity towards the safety and well being of others. This practice goes against the Confucian value of “righteousness; the moral disposition to do good.” There is a scene where Shan Yu picks up a little girl’s doll with intensions of burning down her village, which he accomplishes. He has no morals and will not let anything stand in his way towards his goal of taking down the emperor. The appearance of Shan Yu also contributes to his vilified persona. He is seen to be animal-like with bird eyes and a hawk sidekick. His body is quite large and seemingly indestructible as he is shown to survive a total avalanche. Shan Yu is not a man of Confucian values therefore his appearance resembles one of a barbarian. Chi Fu is vilified in a less harsh way as he opposes Shang Li becoming captain over everyone else despite his credentials. There is also a scene where Chi Fu is all for ending Mulan’s life after she is found out to be a woman in the war, which is punishable by death. The appearance of Chi Fu is quite scrawny and fragile. He is perceived to not have a wife, and this signifies Chi Fu undesirable under Confucian values because “when a man is born his parents hope he will find a