We all need role models nowadays. Boys have a plethora Marvel and DC comics heroes. What about girls? Wonder Woman is not enough for the girls. Well... let's give a tremendous applause to Disney and Niki Caro! Thanks to these amazing individuals, girls NOW have excellent role models (heroines) that seem more realistic than boy's heroes. Who are our heroines? There are multiple! Imperator Furiosa, Rey, Jyn Erso, Katniss Everdeen, Malala Yousafzai, Emma Watson, and more incredible women (fictitious and real). I have an extensive list of feminist characters, but I am going to talk about two female characters that resemble. Who are these heroines? Ladies and gentlemen (specially the ladies), meet Mulan and Paikea!
Mmmm... Interesting... Why Mulan and Paikea are similar? First, let's point out the obvious elements:
- They are girls! (it is pretty obvious)
- Their ages are pretty close (Mulan is a teenager and Paikea is prepubescent)
- They are non-Caucasian characters
- The tomboyish style
- Patriarchy is part of their cultures
- They are progressive within a traditional society
These are just a few similarities between these two ladies, but they are extremely important for an analysis. Yes, they are girls, but what does gender mean to their societies. First of all, gender dictates the advantages and disadvantages of a person. For example:
If Mulan was a boy, there wouldn't be a movie (technically, it would be a different movie). What Mulan did was the bravest action ever! She knew the risks of war and men, but her love to her father was greater than her fear. Let's remember that it's still a Disney movie, so expect a some fantasy. With Paikea is different. She was born a girl. Well, there is nothing wrong with that, right? Oh... I forgot to mention that this baby will be the chief of the Maori clan. Again, there is nothing wrong with that. Unless, this baby is supposed to be a boy. Boy are stronger than girls. Even intelligent, according to some men. Poor Paikea, we are on her side. Like Mulan, her gender was the biggest obstacle to overcome.
Also, these two women are proud of their own culture. Mulan saved China! Paikea learned the Maoiri traditions! They had the option to turn their backs to their countries. For example:
Mulan could have not intervene, and let her father dies. No, she isn't like that. She is brave, compassionate, and perseverant. Same with Paikea. She could have just follow the female traditions, you know. Just give up, Paikea, you are a woman after all (her grandfather was an obstacle too). Why did they sacrifice their comfortable life style as traditional women? If you think about it, Mulan could have married a noble man and have a secure life (isn't this what women are supposed to do?) Paikea could have chose to be a common girl. Why didn't they do that? Because they are visionaries, they are ahead of these traditional and patriarchal cultures. They want to do something remarkable, meaningful in their lives. Another reason why these amazing women are similar is their ethnicity (non-white characters... Finally!) Mulan is Chinese and Paikea is Maori. Two different cultures that share the same obstacles: patriarchy and traditionalism.
Both characters have a tomboyish look, not very feminine. Paikea wears plain shirts with a skirt. That symbolizes the gender idenity issue that she is going through (most of us went through that). With Mulan, it is the same. She wear the armor, because she doesn't have a choice, but when she is seen as "Mulan," she doesn't wear any make up and her dress is not colorful (there is nothing wrong with that). Mulan, like Paikea, is facing gender identity too!
So there you have it! Two female characters that rebel to their traditionalist cultures who happen to be patriarchal too. Although, Mulan and Paikea are from different countries and cultures, they showed me that these issues such as patriarchy and gender identity are universal. These feminist characters taught me that gender is not an obstacle, it is tool to make a remarkable change. Just think about Joan of Arc! Mulan and Paikea will always be in my heart. Thanks, ladies.
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