Semiotics Analysis: Character Education of Women in Film Mulan (2020)

Abstract

Currently, many films take a female perspective, addressing issues such as women's roles in the family, social pressures, and beauty standards. Films often depict the limitations and restrictions experienced by women in society, including character education such as the obligation to marry, limitations on expression, and the women’s domestic roles. This representation can influence society's perception of women, as films have the ability to shape values and understanding of women in society. Therefore, researchers are compelled to conduct a study with the aim of understanding how the film "Mulan" (2020) represents character education for women. Indirectly, this analysis reveals how the film reflects the culture and social values related to women in Chinese society in the 5th century. Through an analysis of signs based on the scene excerpts, it is evident that the film portrays the limitations experienced by women in society due to entrenched patriarchal norms, such as the obligation to marry, limitations on expression, and women’s domestic roles. This representation can influence society's perception of women, as films have the ability to shape values and understanding of women in society. In this context, the film "Mulan" (2020) serves as an example of how media can be a tool for conveying character education messages to women, especially in the face of entrenched patriarchal norms in societal culture.