Gender as Performance/Butler

Disney's Mulan, released June 5 1998

 Disney's Mulan (1998) movie is an example of Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity, which says gender isn't about the way you were born but a repeated action made by the worlds pressures. Terms that relate are gender subversion, heteronormativity, gender trouble and parodic representation. In this extract Mulan changes her identity to be that of her fathers (a man) breaking the strict expectations of her culture. Mulan went as far as cutting her own hair, wearing men's armor and deepening her voice, to ensure the chances she can still be seen as a female are slim to none. This emphasizes the idea that gender is performed, rather then being only shown by clothing, posture, and voice. In todays society men can re-align with a "real man" and break gender expectations. In addition, Mulan displays gender subversion, when challenging established boundaries of gender roles and norms. Although Mulan initially expressed more masculinity to survive, her improvement as a female soldier by the end was one to celebrate. Lastly, Mulan pictures the theory of gender performativity, through acting and re-making gender scripts. Mulan helps identify it as a flexible performance, not a biological truth. Heteronormativity is challenged in this extract through Mulan's actions. The men during this time were under the impression that bravery, leadership and strength weren't quality's of a women. But Mulan's success proved that women have these qualities too. Creating gender issues with the army because her peers start asking questions of what actually defines a women and a man. In attempt to blend in, Mulan imitated male behaviors which displays parodic representation. Mulan having a hard time showing her manly side was on of the more humorous times of the film, while showing how unnatural and different these gender performances can be. Though she's trying to act like a male, her feminine traits of compassion and cleverness help her excel. Mulan represents Butler's idea of gender not being fixed but performed. She shows how identity can be flexible through her disguise and actions. As well as how her cultures strict gender roles can be challenged and re-written.