Ayudhia Ratna Wijaya, Ria Riski Marsuki, Dian Yuni Pamuji

Discursive Constructions of Patriarchy in Mulan (2020): A Study of Language, Culture, and Power

Introduction

Discursive constructions of patriarchy in mulan (2020): a study of language, culture, and power. Examine discursive constructions of patriarchy in Disney's Mulan (2020) through language, culture, and power. This sociolinguistic study reveals how patriarchal values shape character dialogue and gender roles.

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of Chinese patriarchal culture through linguistic expressions in Disney’s 2020 live-action film Mulan. Employing a descriptive-qualitative method and grounded in a sociolinguistic framework, particularly the intersection of language and gender, this research analyzes how patriarchal values are encoded in character dialogue. A relational analysis approach, informed by gender and family relation theories, reveals distinct speech patterns between male and female characters. Male characters predominantly use declarative and evaluative speech acts characterized by positive metaphorical expressions, signifying authority and affirmation within the societal hierarchy. Conversely, female characters’ utterances are largely expressive and commissive in nature, often marked by negative metaphors, reflecting marginalization and constrained agency. The findings suggest that patriarchal cultural norms continue to shape social expectations and restrict women’s participation in the public sphere. Within the narrative, gender roles are assigned based on biological sex rather than individual competence or evolving social identities, underscoring the persistence of gender-based power asymmetries in Chinese patriarchal discourse.

Review

This study presents a compelling investigation into the discursive construction of Chinese patriarchal culture within Disney's 2020 live-action film *Mulan*. Employing a robust descriptive-qualitative methodology grounded in a sociolinguistic framework, particularly at the intersection of language and gender, the research effectively analyzes how patriarchal values are linguistically encoded in character dialogue. The application of a relational analysis approach, informed by gender and family relation theories, is a significant strength, allowing for a nuanced exploration of speech patterns. The abstract clearly highlights the key finding that male characters predominantly use declarative and evaluative speech acts with positive metaphorical expressions, signifying authority, while female characters' utterances are largely expressive and commissive, often marked by negative metaphors, reflecting marginalization and constrained agency. This initial overview positions the study as a highly relevant and insightful contribution. The analytical depth implied by the abstract is commendable, particularly in demonstrating the direct correlation between specific linguistic expressions and the reinforcement of gender roles and power asymmetries. The findings powerfully suggest that patriarchal cultural norms continue to shape social expectations, restrict women’s participation in the public sphere, and assign gender roles based on biological sex rather than individual competence. While the abstract clearly outlines the distinction between "positive metaphorical expressions" for males and "negative metaphors" for females, the full paper would benefit from providing a few illustrative examples or further elaborating on the *types* of metaphors employed in each case. This would strengthen the empirical grounding and make the findings even more vivid. Nonetheless, the conclusion that the narrative underscores the persistence of gender-based power asymmetries in Chinese patriarchal discourse is strongly supported by the described methodology and findings. Overall, this is a timely and significant contribution to the fields of sociolinguistics, critical discourse analysis, and gender studies, particularly in its application to popular culture texts. The research offers valuable insights into the subtle yet pervasive ways language perpetuates and reinforces cultural norms, thereby shaping societal expectations and limiting women's agency within patriarchal structures. Its implications extend beyond the analysis of a single film, encouraging broader discussions on media representation, cultural influence, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. This reviewer strongly recommends the publication of this paper, as it provides a well-executed and insightful analysis that contributes meaningfully to our understanding of language, culture, and power dynamics.

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