Mulan (1998) with Ceda Xiong
This source is a podcast hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus discussing the gender values that were taught through the film Mulan. The podcast discusses how Mulan opens up doors that weren't possible for women. They also pointed out the traditional gender values that women are so accustomed to hearing, such as the idea that women need to sacrifice their careers for their families. Throughout their podcast, they would relate it to their lives to keep the interest of the listeners.
QUOTE FROM PODCAST : 36:19 “I have complicated feelings about this because the emperor is like, ‘you’re so great that I want to offer you this position in my counselor.’ They’re giving her this position of power and she refuses… that’s her choice. But the movie also makes her make that choice.... They don’t need to do that.”
ANALYSIS: In this quotation, they are talking about how the ending ruined the movie. I'm planning on using this quotation to talk about the character's personality and how it's teaching gender values. Mulan had the opportunity to have a position in power which not a lot of women have the opportunity to. With Mulan's personality and how she's prioritizing her family, it is teaching the traditional gender role of a woman in the family.
Jean Kilbourne's Lecture (Killing us Softly)
This source is a lecture by Jean Kilbourne about advertisements and their negative impact on society. She talked about how advertisements are drilling in impractical beauty standards without one's knowledge. Creating these unrealistic beauty standards create a toxic environment that put women's body up for continuous criticism.
QUOTE FROM LECTURE: 35:30 -- “Girls are constantly told by the popular culture that they should be sexy, but innocent, experienced, but virginal.”
ANALYSIS: Advertisements are also telling women what characteristics they should possess to be considered attractive in the male’s eyes. These traits contradict each other so it’s very difficult to possess characteristics that appeal from a male’s perspective. This quote can be integrated into the podcast by relating it to Disney films and advertisements that we see every day. Starting at a young age, young girls are groomed to notice what's considered 'beautiful" through the physical appearances of Disney's princesses. Due to this, advertisements and Disney films both create the long-lasting beauty standards that society still linger on to today.
How Disney's "Mulan" Brazenly Challenges Gender and Sexuality
This source is a review of the film Mulan written by Soren Hough. The writer is discussing how Mulan is breaking the traditional gender values that we know so well about. He points out the symbol of femininity in the movie that the readers missed. He also mentioned how the film Mulan is different from previous Disney films.
QUOTE FROM REVIEW: "When the army finally does face down with Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer) and his band of raiders at the mountain pass, Shang and his warriors find themselves woefully outmatched. It's Mulan's ingenuity—using a rocket to target the snowbank and cause an avalanche—that eventually buries their enemies."
ANALYSIS: This quote can be included in the podcast and link it with the personality traits of the female characters in Disney's films. Mulan lacks physical strength and this can be considered a disadvantage. However, she makes up for it through her intelligence. Usually, women are seen as not having the capability to be a leader because of their lack of physical strength. Nonetheless, it's teaching that women still have other potentials that they can bring to the table. Breaking the traditional norms that women can also be a leader.
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