Index IntroductionSociological Themes in "Mulan"ConclusionWorks CitedIntroductionIn ancient China, the story of a young woman named Mulan takes place. Her family, looking for a suitable partner, consults a matchmaker who, observing Mulan, deems her too thin and unsuitable for marriage. The matchmaker insists that men desire compliant, petite women, calling Mulan a disgrace for defying traditional feminine norms of poise and grace. Feeling lost and struggling to find her true self, Mulan embarks on an extraordinary journey. Disguised as a man, she takes her father's place in the army. Initially, he struggles to fit in and train alongside his fellow soldiers. During a battle with the Huns, Mulan's clever tactics cause an avalanche, hindering the enemy's advance. However, she suffers an injury and her true gender is revealed. She is later expelled from the army and sent home. Along the way he discovers that the Huns have survived the avalanche and are heading towards the imperial city. Although initially ignored, Mulan persists in her efforts to warn the city, ultimately saving the emperor. Her courage leads her to be forgiven for her deception and return home a heroine, finding love with the captain. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Sociological Themes in "Mulan""Mulan," a Disney animated film set in ancient China, explores the journey of a young woman who disguises herself as a boy to take her father's place in the army. The story revolves around his struggle to unearth his true identity and place in society. The film also delves into sociological concepts such as gender roles, culture and conflict theory. Gender roles, a pervasive sociological concept, figure prominently in the film. Gender roles include society's perception of how men and women should behave, think, and act. The film effectively portrays gender socialization, a form of social control. In a touching scene, when Mulan visits the matchmaker, she is immediately criticized for her appearance and presented with a list of qualities required to be a suitable bride. In ancient times, women were primarily expected to bear children, fulfill domestic duties, and serve their husbands. The film highlights that women were reduced to brides and were often evaluated based on their physical appearance rather than their inner qualities. This portrayal may lead young viewers to the mistaken belief that external beauty has greater significance than internal beauty. The film suggests the dominance of men in society and their role as providers of the family. When Mulan begs the general not to allow her father to fight in the war, the general admonishes her, saying, "Teach your daughter to hold her tongue in the presence of a man." This implies that women were not allowed to speak in front of men. This representation reinforces gender inequality and the social inferiority assigned to women. The film conveys this message explicitly by illustrating the general's decision to allow only men to participate in the war. In contrast, women were perceived as the weaker sex, exemplified by Mulan's failed attempt to join the army due to her gender. This sexism highlights the cultural factors that led Mulan to dress up as a man. The film also delves into the concept of culture, as the setting in ancient China incorporates various aspects of Chinese culture. The two main types of culture explored are non-culture.