Orientalism Stereotypes in Mulan

Orientalism stereotypes have actually influenced us in believing that it holds true. In the movie Mulan that we had viewed in class, we had actually discovered numerous stereotypes that were exaggerated in the motion picture. The songs they had actually played were catchy and unforgettable however they provided some examples of stereotypes in the film. Also another part of the film pointed out another stereotype where ladies in China were towered above by the males. Another major stereotype was when the movie included a physical representation of the invaders of China, the Huns.

The songs in Mulan, while catchy and unforgettable, provided some additional examples of stereotypes in the film. In one of the scenes, Mulan visits the matchmaker so that she can discover a spouse, which will bring honor to her household. The concept of this scenes stereotype was that Mulan a young Chinese lady in the time that they were in could only bring honor to her household by getting wed.

To do this, Mulan needed to change her appearance. The restricted function of the ladies is worried in the song which is describing how the women can “bring honor to us all…

The male by bearing arms, a lady by bearing children.” This is stressed out since the only method to bring honor to the household is by finding a hubby. This explains traditional Chinese worths as concentrated on reproducing calm, obedient, silent girls whose goal is to marry a partner and to bear kids for their future.

Another song that was likewise exaggerating in a stereotype from Mulan was “A Lady worth Combating For,” which was described what all of the soldiers are searching for in a lady. According to this song, the girl needs to be “paler than the moon,” she must likewise “admire my strength,” and “it all depends upon what she cooks like.” When Mulan had actually mentioned brains and speaking her mind, the males responded with a just “Nah!” In this stereotype of Chinese culture, females were not wanted for their intelligence; they were seen and desired as an appealing and submissive other half to their other half.

Another part of the film mentioned another stereotype where women in China were looked down upon by men. Mulan was repeatedly scolded by the men in her society. In one scene, when Mulan was “Ping,” he had saved the lives of her fellow soldiers. Ping is called a hero and was gained the respect of the men. In the next scene, she is found out to be a woman and the men immediately looked down on her, disgusted, and abandoned her half-clothed on the snowy ground. In a different scene, Mulan attempts to defend her father so that he does not have to go to war, the Emperor’s council snaps at her father (not actually speaking to Mulan, a woman), saying he should teach his daughter to “hold her tongue in a man’s presence.” And in the song when the men were training, Li Shang asks, “Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons?” Near the end of the movie, when Mulan defeated Shan Yu and saved China, the emperor’s council told Li Shang, “She’s a woman; she’ll never be worth anything.” This has showed how women were looked down upon by the men of China.

Finally, a different way of showing a major stereotype was when the movie added a physical portrayal of the invaders of China, the Huns. The leader of the Huns, Shan Yu is the most horrifically depicted of all. His black eyebrows that pointed downwards seemed to make a permanent evil scowl, his eyes are tiny yellow circles, his teeth point up at the corners like a vampire, and his deep voice reminds us the viewer’s just how evil he is supposed to be. The Huns contrast the Chinese army strongly; while the Chinese have healthy-looking skin, the Huns are in a gray color, making them look dead. The Chinese characters throughout the movie usually tie their hair up neatly, but the Huns leave their hair untidy and down, showing their barbaric nature even further. Also, the atmosphere of the scene changes when the Huns are shown. The sky gets darker when the Huns appear and in some scenes the sky is actually red when the Huns are shown and switch back to a blue clear sky when showing the Chinese camps and lands. The music also changes from a cheerful music background to an ominous tune when the Huns arrive.

In conclusion, orientalism stereotypes have influenced us in believing that it is true. The aim of the movie should not be to rise against every member of Chinese society in rebelliousness of customs and traditions, but to prove that one can keep their wishes and independence while keeping their own culture and identity.