Mulan: Viewing Guide for talking about gender roles!
Teachers! Mulan is an excellent film to show in class. Not only is it a fun Disney Movie, but it shows the lead female role in a much different way than the classic Disney Princess.
Instead of the helpless female in danger, Mulan takes action and fights her for family, her country and her honor. Students can learn so much about being a female in power if they are directed to see the way she defies the classic stereotype of the heroine.
Use the student guide for students during viewing, the post-discussion question for possible essay questions, and the female hero activity after the movie has been shown!
-Teach Like a Girl
Do Now Question: This is the question to get the girls thinking. QuestionResponseDiscussion
What to expect I this lesson
Time frame:
Mulan – Disney #girlboss
Do Now: Who is your favorite female Disney character and why? What is your favorite part about them?
Write at least 6 full sentences.
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Mulan Student Guide
Answer these questions while you are watching Mulan. Remember to include evidence and write in full sentences.
1. What does Mulan’s father pray for in the beginning of the movie? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What does the matchmaker do? Why is Mulan meeting with her?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Why does the matchmaker say that Mulan will never bring her family honor?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Why does Mulan cut her hair and run away? What do you think about her choice?.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. How does Mulan adjust to the training camp? Do you think she is able to do the things the other men are? Is there anything they can do that she can’t?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. In the song ‘A Girl Worth Fighting For,’ what types of qualities do the men say they want in a girl worth fighting for? Bonus! What does Mulan (Ping) say she would like? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. When does the team realize Mulan is a Woman? How do they find out? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Why do you think Mulan does not give up? What makes her keep going? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. What do you think the message of this movie is? Why do you think this is the message?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mulan Essay Prompt
How does Mulan prove that she can do what the men can do? What message does this send to her community and other girls that watch this movie? How can you help send this message to your own community?
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Mulan Creative Writing Prompt
Imagine you are Mulan and have decided to go to war for your family. Write a letter to your family explaining why you made this choice.
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Love, Mulan
I’ll Make a Man Out of You – Song Lyric Study
Verse 1: Let's get down to business, to defeat the HunsDid they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?You're the saddest bunch I ever metBut you can bet before we're throughMister, I'll make a man out of you
Chorus: Be a manWe must be swift as the coursing riverBe a manWith all the force of a great typhoonBe a manWith all the strength of a raging fireMysterious as the dark side of the moon
1. In Verse 1 who is speaking and who are they speaking to? ________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why does this person mean when they say ‘I’ll make a man out of you? ________________________________________________________________________________________
3. How does the song describe being a man in the Chorus?__________________________________________________________________________________
4. Think back to this scene in the movie. Does Mulan prove she can ‘Be a Man’? Why or why not? ________________________________________________________________________________________
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