ACTIVITIES GUIDE PRE-WATCHING QUESTIONS: Chinese Culture – Read the following essay on the topic and answer the questions below 10 What you know about China’s custom regarding marriage? Do you know what women’s customs were in the past? What is foot binding? Who came up with such idea? What are “Lily Feet”? When was the practice overruled? Why did women resort to suicide so often and who helped in the decision? When were women allowed to start studying? Who made it possible for Chinese women to become educated? Approximately when did Chinese women become involved in politics? ESSAY # 1: Women in China at the beginning of the 20th century China was suffering from a great loss in the beginning of the 20 th century, since half of its citizens were not able to contribute to the country The society at that time was male-dominated, so though women comprised almost half of the total population, they had actually a very little part to play in uplifting the country economically, socially and intellectually Nevertheless, Chinese women should not be blamed for that They had their own reasons for being so unproductive, which they later tried to overcome successfully Firstly, they were physically confined This takes us back to the practice of foot binding in China, which started early in the 10th century by a prince who loved the small “lily feet” of his concubine “Lily feet” were considered very dainty, beautiful, and a symbol of gentility and high-class They could fit into three inches long shoes This practice of food binding began when a girl was between three and eleven years old “The child’s toes were turned under and pressed against the bottom of her foot and a bandage would be tightly wound around the foot from the toes to the ankle.” This indeed was a very cruel thing to because sometimes the toes even fell off due to the lack of blood It was very painful even to stand and they could not walk unassisted Foot binding was not only for the sake of beauty, but it also served the purpose for the Chinese young girls to be restricted from going out of their houses This practice lasted for about a thousand years Thus this unhealthy practice prevented Chinese women from going beyond their houses and thus limited their freedom to gain knowledge from the outside world Secondly, Chinese women were socially restricted “Chastity for women was more valuable than life itself The definition of chastity became ridiculously broad to the extent that a girl was considered unclean if she happened to see a man’s genitalia when he urinated in any public place.” Unless she married him, she had to commit suicide to protect her reputation “Moreover, women who were disowned by their husbands due to unfaithfulness and disobedience, were deprived of employment, bearing remorse and disgrace for life.” [Yao 79] Since these women had no other source of living as they were completely dependent on the men, suicide was the only alternative More often the family made those decisions of suicide because that saved its name So, there was a lot of pressure from the society which suppressed Chinese women’s hopes and desires to be equal to men in every aspect of life One of the reasons for the Chinese women to be so dependent was the lack of education “Missionaries from the West, as a result of their outreach to Chinese women, first recognized their desperate need of education.” The Western missionaries emphasized foreign language, science, mathematics, social science and Bible studies “In 1905 the government set up a new division in the administration to direct educational affairs which still leaned toward traditional values to learn domestic skills.” The number of girls in school in China was almost zero until the beginning of the 19 th century, but it slightly increased at the beginning of the twentieth century However, there is a sharp increase in the number of Chinese female students in early twentieth century This opened the door for those young girls to go out of their home to gain education and motivation in their lives Moreover; women in the past were politically ignorant They had no idea what was going on outside their homes More importantly, they did not even have any rights to work with politics This was so until the May Fourth Movement in 1919 when there was a political upheaval in the government of China Women were then given opportunities to work with the opposite sex Thus they could demonstrate their potential, and talents as they competed with men They had the opportunity to be liberated from the traditional value system, which helped them to develop themselves as individual persons Gradually, women tried to come out of their homes and face the world in front of them The practice of foot binding also started to be less common as people realized the cruelty behind it Women’s organizations were also being established, like the League of Women’s Rights and Women’s Suffrage Association which voiced women’s opinions Women were able to overcome all the social, political, and traditional pressures and identify themselves to the world This indeed was a good start for Chinese women to pave the way for later generations to follow Hence, no matter how much women suffered in China in the early stage of the twentieth century, they made a good start and continued to reach the present state of freedom and equality WHILE-WATCHING ACTIVITIES Answer the following questions: a What’s the first shot we get? b Why does Shan-Yu say “perfect”? c What is Chi Fu like? d What does the Emperor answer to the General’s suggestion to protect the palace? e What you think “A single grain of rice can tip the scale” mean? f What does the Emperor want General Li to do? Organize the following adjectives in their chronological appearance graceful _ punctual poised _ polite • • • quiet demure delicate _ refined What they refer to? Look up the ones you don’t understand in a dictionary What cultural hint can you spot here? Complete the following conversation Fa Zhou: Honorable please help Mulan the _ today Little Brother: Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark Fa Zhou: _ PLEASE help her Mulan: _! I _ you – whoop! Fa Zhou: Mulan – Mulan: I brought a Fa Zhou: Mulan – Mulan: Remember: the _ said _ cups of in the Fa Zhou: Mulan – Mulan: And at _ Fa Zhou: Mulan, you _ already be in _ We’re _ on you to up – Mulan: – _ the family _ Don’t , father I won’t _ you me _ Fa Zhou: Hurry! I’m going to some _ Say whether these statements are T (true) or F (false) a The Bath Lady says that Mulan is the worst case she’s assisted _ b Mulan tells her mother her notes on her arm are to refresh her memory _ c The song mentions men will avoid going to war to marry Mulan _ d A woman can bring her family honor if she strikes a good match _ e A woman helps the Emperor by bearing arms _ Choose only one answer f The water for the bath is freezing because: i Mulan likes it cold ii The Chinese tradition is to bathe girls in cold water before meeting the match maker iii Mulan was late to her appointment g Organize the actions according to how they are carried out in the song i primp, polish, wash and dry ii wash, dry, primp and polish iii polish, dry, primp and wash h Men want girls… i With good taste, obedient and calm ii Obedient, calm, and with good taste iii With good taste, calm and obedient i Women should also … i work fast-paced, have good breeding and a tiny waist ii work slowly, have poor breeding and a wide waist iii work fast-paced, have poor breeding and a tiny waist j What are the amulets for? i An apple for beauty, beads of Jade for balance & a pendant for serenity ii An apple for balance, beads of Jade for beauty & a pendant for serenity iii An apple for serenity, beads of Jade for beauty & a pendant for balance What is the cricket for? Complete Mulan’s prayer at the end of the song: Mulan: hear my , help me not to _ a _ of me and not to my family’s _, my standing tall Organize these last lines of the song: _ Destiny, guard our girls _ Scarier than the undertaker _ Please look kindly on these cultured pearls _ And our future as it fast unfurls _ Each a perfect porcelain doll Organize the following events according to the movie _ Mulan speaks without permission _ Grandma Fa thinks things are going well _ Cri-Kee escapes from his cage _ Mulan spits the cricket to recite the final admonition _ Mulan splashes the Matchmaker’s face to put out the fire _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Mulan is called by the Matchmaker Mulan puts Cri-Kee in her mouth the Matchmaker runs out of the building screaming Mulan scans her smeared notes for the final admonition the crowd whispers and walks away the Matchmaker stains her face with ink the Matchmaker sits on burning coals Mulan struggles to catch Cri-Kee Mulan tries to recover the cup of tea Grandma Fa makes a comment on the Matchmaker’s bad mood Mulan realizes she’s pouring tea on the table Cri-Kee jumps down the Matchmaker’s dress the Matchmaker shouts Mulan will never bring her family honor the Matchmaker looks at her clipboard and calls Mulan Mulan tries to put out the fire with the fan and makes it flame up Song: Reflection: Summarize Mulan’s thoughts in three statements (Family, herself, future) _ Analize the meaning of the comment made by Mulan’s father: … “My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year … But look, this one’s late But, I bet that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.” … 10 According to this scene, what are girls supposed/not supposed to do? _ / / / _ / / _ 11 Describe Mulan’s state of mind in a few lines 12 Answer the following questions: a What does Mulan decide to and why? b How does she it? c Who gets the hint that something is happening? d What the members of the family do? e What does Mulan’s father mean by “If I reveal her, she will be” f What we see immediately after the family prays for the ancestors to help Mulan? g Which of the characters is voiced by Eddie Murphy? h Which of the family’s guardians is to be sent? i Which will finally help her and why? 13 Here are some of Mushu’s statements Put them in order and say what they mean… _ … Let’s move it, rise and shine _ Do I look like a sucker to you? _ Don’t make me have to singe nobody to prove no point _ I ring the gong _ After all this great stone Humpty Dumpty mess… _ You all the way past the beauty sleep thing trust me! _ Oh, man, they’re gonna kill me! _ And your point is? _ Whach’ you mean loser? How ‘bout I pop one of your antenna’s and throw it across the yard Then who’s the loser; me or you? _ I mean it’s not like it’ll kill ya 14 Complete this short Interlude conversation Hung Long Hair Guy: Imperial Scout # 1: Shan-Yu Shan-Yu: work, You the _ army Scout #2: The _ will you Shan-Yu: _ me? He _ me By _ his , he my _ Well, I’m _ to _ his _ Go! Tell your to _ his _ armies I’m _ _ many _ does it to a ? Archer Guy: One 15 Say whether these statements are T (true) or F (false) s Mulan knows how to handle a sword s She thinks she only needs a miracle to make it work s Mushu pretends to be a huge dragon ghost when he first appears before Mulan s Cri-Kee gives Mushu’s size away s Mushu is delighted by Mulan’s saying he’s a lizard s Mulan’s amazed at Mushu’s size for a guardian s Mushu says he’s travel size because otherwise, Khan would die of fear s Mulan refuses to apologize s Mulan finally recognizes she’s never done that before s Mushu tells her that she’ll have to trust him blindly 16 List the male attitudes and Mulan’s male attitudes in these columns Real Men Attitudes  _  _  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Mulan’s Male Attitudes    17 Choose only one answer a General Li will take the main troops to i Shao Yu Pass ii Tao Shang Pass iii Tung Shao Pass b Li Shang is named Captain because… i He’s the General’s son ii The Emperor’s councilor suggests it iii Li Shang’s #1 in his class, he has extensive knowledge of training techniques and an impressive military lineage c Both father and son will toast China’s victory at … i The Tung Shao Pass ii The training camp iii Imperial City d When the Captain says he doesn’t need anyone causing trouble in the camp, he refers to… i All the recruits ii Chien iii Ping e What is the correct order of Mulan’s male names mentioned in the scene i Ah Chu, Ping, Mushu ii Ping, Mushu, Ah Chu iii Ah Chu, Mushu, Ping f Thanks to Ping, the recruits have to spend the night… i Picking up every single grain of corn ii Picking up every single grain of rice iii Picking up every single grain of wheat 18 What these expressions mean or refer to? a Rise and shine sleeping beauty b You gonna make people sick c Then you have to kick the other kid’s butt d I think my bunny slippers just ran for cover e Moo goo gai pan f ‘Cause I owe you a knuckle sandwich g I’ll get that arrow pretty boy h This represents discipline and this represents strength 19 Song “I’ll make a man out of you” a Why does Captain Li says: “We’ve got a long way to go.” b Fill in the blanks in the lyrics: c Explain how Mulan improves during the training Let’s get to business To the Huns Hua! Did they _ me _ When I for ? You’re the bunch I ever _ But you can before we are Mister, I’ll a man _ you Chorus  organize the lines  Once you find your center But on fire within You are sure to win Tranquil as the forest You’re a , _, _ lot And you _n’t got a _ I’ll a man _ you I’m never _catch my Say _ to those who me Boy I was a _ in school for _ gym This ’s got ‘em to death he doesn’t see right me Now I really that I how to ! (Be a man) We _ be _ as the river (Be a man) With all the of a great (Be a man) With all the _ of a fire as the side of the Scrambled words! The lines are in the correct order but the words got all mixed up Put them back in their correct order  arrive Huns is racing the till time toward us: _ you survive order my might heed every and: _ for of rage the unsuited war you’re : _ you’re up through so pack home, go and: _ a can how I make man of out you: (Be a man) swift as the we must coursing river: _ (Be a man) typhoon all force with the of a great: (Be a man) with raging strength of all the fire a: _ 20 Answer these questions: b How the Huns learn that the Imperial troops are at the Tung Shao Pass? List the clues: _ _ b What will they do? 21 Complete the missing information: Mushu: Hey, oh, oh, no This is _ a good _ What _ somebody you? Mulan: _ because I look _ a man mean I to like one Mushu: So a _ of guys don’t _ out their _ picky _, Well I kinda _ that chip’s Mulan: Ahhhhhhhhhh! Mushu: , all right, that’s Now c’ , get _ before you _ all and _ Mulan: , if you are so _, go _ _ Mushu: Yeah, yeah, , Mushu while I our with my stupid, habits _ Cri-Kee: Chirp, chirp Yao: Mushu: Yao: Mulan: Ling: Mulan: Chien-Po: Mulan: Yao: Ling: Mulan: Ling: Mulan: Ling: Mushu: Ling: Chien-Po: Ling: Me ! Me ! Ah! We’re _ There are a of things I they’re _ to _ Hey, ! Oh, hi! I didn’t you were I was _, so now I’m and I’m _ go Bye _ back I _ we were _ to you _, so let’s _ _ Hi, I’m Heh, heh! And I’m Chien-Po Hello, Chien-Po _ I’m Yao of the _ And there’s _ you can about it Oh, yeah? Well, I think and _ could _ you I really want to _ him _, we have to _ No, we We _ just _ our _ and swim C’mon be a g… ! Something _ me What a _! , ! Some of the ! Mulan: , that was Mushu: No, that was _! You me ! Mulan: I _ want to see a man again Mushu: Hey, don’t _ at me I biting more _ 22 Answer the following questions a How does Chi Fu say he believes the troops will fail? b What are those boys no more fit “than ”? c What does Chi Fu say will happen once the General sees his report? d What does Chi Fu bear a grudge against when he emphasizes he got the job on his own? e What is his job? f What does Mushu wonder as he eavesdrops Chi Fu’s comment? g What does Ping tell the Captain to cheer him up? h What does Mushu realize? i What does Mulan answer? j What does Mushu decide to do? Is he successful? 23 Song: “A Girl Worth Fighting For” Complete the following lines: _, marching off to battle In a _ herd, we _ a lot more like Like the pounding beat, , easy to ignore Hey, think of instead, Huh? That’s what I said, a girl _ , the moon with eyes that My girl will marvel at _, adore , wear or what she looks like, : Beef, pork, chicken… Mmm! Bet the local girls thought 10 _ a man in armor , since we went off to war What we want? _ My girl would think I have Uh… How about a girl _, who always ? Nah!!! _ are sure to thrill her He thinks he’s such , unlike any other Yeah, the only girl who’d _ _ in _, at the door What we want? Wish that I had ! 11 24 Choose only one answer: a Captain Li Shang asks the recruits to look for _ i Rivals ii His father iii Survivors b General Li should have been i At the Tung Shao Pass ii That village iii Back at the camp c _ condoles with the Captain i Mulan ii Chien-Po iii Yao d When Mulan fires the cannon, she i Attacks the Huns ii Gives away their position iii Does it to ask for help e An arrow hits the Captain in _ i His head ii The leg iii The shoulder f When the shower of fire arrows starts falling at them, Shang asks to save i The cannons ii The food iii The tents g Who says “Oh sure, save the horse”? i Shang ii Chien-Po iii Mushu h Captain Li says that if they die, they die i With honor ii In peace iii For China i Mulan aims the cannon at _ i Shan-Yu ii The hawk iii The snow embankment j Mulan gets hurt in i Her left side ii Her right side iii Her back k Mushu says Cri-Kee is one lucky _ i Bug ii Grasshopper iii Cricket l After the avalanche episode, the Captain says _ i Ping should go back home because he’s insane ii He owes his life to Ping and therefore he trusts Ping now iii To Ping he is not to disobey him again 12 m The other recruits hurray Mulan because she’s the i Maddest of them all ii The most coward of them all iii The bravest of them all n When Shang sees Mulan’s wounded and fainting, he says i Hold on ii Hang on iii Come on o As Shang discovers Mulan’s a woman, he i Puts her to die ii Spares her life in exchange for his iii Kisses her madly 25 Correct the mistakes made while typing the following dialog Mushu: I was this near, this near to impressing your ancestors, getting the highest shelf, an entourage Man, all my best work, ffft Hello Mulan: I must never have left my parents Mushu: Eh Come on, you wanted to replace your father Who knew, you’d finish up disgracing him, shaming your elderly and losing every one of your friends You know, you only gotta remember to let everything go Mulan: Maybe I haven’t gone for my father Perhaps what I really wanted was to test I could things fine, so when I reflected on the mirror I’d meet someone worthwhile But it was wrong I don’t see anything Mushu: Well, that’s because this only needs a little polishing… That’s it Let me shine this out for ya I can peep you, look at yourself, you look so beautiful The fact is we’re both failures Your ancestors never requested me, they even hate me I mean, you risked your guts to help the ones you adore I risked your skin to help myself At last you had good intentions Cri-Kee: Chirp, chirp, chirp, bowl, bowl Mushu: What? What you mean you’re unlucky? You lied to us? And what are you? A goat? Mulan: I’ll have to meet my father sooner or later Let’s go back Mushu: Yeah, this isn’t going to be cute But don’t ya worry Okay? Things’ll be solved out We began this thing together, and that’s the way we’ll end I swear _XXXX Shan-Yu: Rrrrrrraaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! Mushu: Home is the other way! Mulan: I must something Mushu: Have you seen those Huns!? They sprung up like jasmines Mulan: Are we in these together or not? Cri-Kee: Chirp, chirp Mushu: Well, let’s go hit some Huny butts Wu Hu Ha Ga, Wu Hu Ha Ga 13 26 Answer the following questions: a Why will China sleep safely? b Who does Mulan warn first? c How does people react? d What’s Mushu’s comment on it? e What does the Emperor say and why? 27 Order the following sequences of events according to the movie A) All of Shan-Yu’s men jump out from behind the dragon knocking down Shang and grab the Emperor knocking off his hat Shan-Yu’s falcon swoops down and takes the sword while Shang is giving it to the Emperor Long-Haired Hun Man and Hun Strong Guy close the palace door as Hun archer knocks his arrow retreating into the Palace to threaten rescue attempts The masses of people gasp at the sight of Shan-Yu The falcon rises above the roof and drops the sword to Shan-Yu, who was sitting next to the gargoyles in the shadows blending it Shang begins to draw his sword Hun Bald Man #1 and #2 carry the Emperor into the Palace He rises out of the shadows to catch the sword so that all the people can see his face B) Song I’ll Make a Man Out of You (reprise) plays in the background during the next action sequence Organize the few lines of the song and match them with the actions taking place b b b b b b Yao, Ling and Chien-Po look at one another then drop the statue and follow Mulan Shang looks astonished Around the corner, Yao, Ling and Chien-Po begin to take off their armor And dress as women Once the transformation is complete, They take out their sashes and He takes off his cape and wraps it around The column to signify he’s coming along They shimmy up the poles together With all the force of a great typhoon Mysterious as the dark side of the moon With all the strength of a raging fire Be a Man Be a Man We must be swift as the coursing river 28 Say whether these statements are T (true) or F (false) a Shan-Yu orders the Emperor to give in to him b Yao wants to change dresses because his makes him look fat c One of the Hun Men is surprised at the beauty of the concubines d Mushu burns the falcon’s feathers and calls him a Mongolian Barbecue e Shan-Yu is patient with the Emperor Rewrite the Emperor’s words: 14 No _ 29 Who are these expressions said by and why? _ You don’t have a plan? _ Hey, I’m making this up as I … _ You’re worst nightmare _ Light me! _ She’s a hero _ Tis a woman She will never be worth anything Quote the Emperor’s words: _ _ _ _ _ My little baby’s all grown up and savin’ China Very well, then, you can have his job Is she allowed to that? You fight good The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all … You don’t meet a girl like that in ev’ry dynasty 30 Complete the final dialog: Fa Zhou: Mulan Mulan: Father, I _ you the of Shan-Yu and the _ of the _ They’re _ to the Fa Family Fa Zhou: The gift and _, is having for a I’ve _ you so… Mulan: I’ve you , Fa Li: Ahhhhh Grandma Fa: _, she brings _ a If you _ me she _ have brought a … Shang: me, does Fa live ? Grandma Fa: Woo, me _ for the next _ 15 Shang: _ Fa Zhou I … Mulan Uh…uh… You your, your W-well, it’s your _, isn’t it? Mulan: Would you _ to stay for _? Grandma Fa: _ you _ to stay ? Shang: _ would be _ Mushu: C’mon did a great _? C’mon, me who did a good First Ancestor: Oh, all _ You _ be a _ again Mushu: Ah-ha Woo Hoo Hoo Hoo! _ it, Cri-Kee 31 Answer this last questions: M M M M M What happens in the end once Mushu is accepted as a guardian again? What happens between Mushu and Mulan? How the ancestors celebrate? What makes the First Ancestor mad? Did you like Mulan? 16 [...]... Wish that I had ! 11 24 Choose only one answer: a Captain Li Shang asks the recruits to look for _ i Rivals ii His father iii Survivors b General Li should have been i At the Tung Shao Pass ii That village iii Back at the camp c _ condoles with the Captain i Mulan ii Chien-Po iii Yao d When Mulan fires the cannon, she i Attacks the Huns ii... therefore he trusts Ping now iii To Ping he is not to disobey him again 12 m The other recruits hurray Mulan because she’s the i Maddest of them all ii The most coward of them all iii The bravest of them all n When Shang sees Mulan s wounded and fainting, he says i Hold on ii Hang on iii Come on o As Shang discovers Mulan s a woman, he i Puts her to die ii Spares her life in exchange... _ 15 Shang: _ Fa Zhou I … Mulan Uh…uh… You your, your W-well, it’s your _, isn’t it? Mulan: Would you _ to stay for _? Grandma Fa: _ you _ to stay ? Shang: _ would be _ Mushu: C’mon did a great _? C’mon, me who did a good First Ancestor: Oh, all _ You _ be a _ again Mushu: Ah-ha Woo Hoo Hoo Hoo! _ it, Cri-Kee 31 Answer... beautiful of all … You don’t meet a girl like that in ev’ry dynasty 30 Complete the final dialog: Fa Zhou: Mulan Mulan: Father, I _ you the of Shan-Yu and the _ of the _ They’re _ to the Fa Family Fa Zhou: The gift and _, is having for a I’ve _ you so… Mulan: I’ve you , Fa Li: Ahhhhh Grandma Fa: _, she brings _ a If you _ me... other way! Mulan: I must do something Mushu: Have you seen those Huns!? They sprung up like jasmines Mulan: Are we in these together or not? Cri-Kee: Chirp, chirp Mushu: Well, let’s go hit some Huny butts Wu Hu Ha Ga, Wu Hu Ha Ga 13 26 Answer the following questions: a Why will China sleep safely? b Who does Mulan warn first? c How does people react? d What’s Mushu’s comment on it? e What does the Emperor... _ it, Cri-Kee 31 Answer this last questions: M M M M M What happens in the end once Mushu is accepted as a guardian again? What happens between Mushu and Mulan? How do the ancestors celebrate? What makes the First Ancestor mad? Did you like Mulan? 16 ... ancestors, getting the highest shelf, an entourage Man, all my best work, ffft Hello Mulan: I must never have left my parents Mushu: Eh Come on, you wanted to replace your father Who knew, you’d finish up disgracing him, shaming your elderly and losing every one of your friends You know, you only gotta remember to let everything go Mulan: Maybe I haven’t gone for my father Perhaps what I really wanted was to... You lied to us? And what are you? A goat? Mulan: I’ll have to meet my father sooner or later Let’s go back Mushu: Yeah, this isn’t going to be cute But don’t ya worry Okay? Things’ll be solved out We began this thing together, and that’s the way we’ll end I swear _XXXX Shan-Yu: Rrrrrrraaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! Mushu: Home is the other way! Mulan: I must do something Mushu: Have you... g Who says “Oh sure, save the horse”? i Shang ii Chien-Po iii Mushu h Captain Li says that if they die, they die i With honor ii In peace iii For China i Mulan aims the cannon at _ i Shan-Yu ii The hawk iii The snow embankment j Mulan gets hurt in i Her left side ii Her right side iii Her back k Mushu says Cri-Kee is one lucky _ i Bug ii Grasshopper iii Cricket l After the avalanche... sight of Shan-Yu The falcon rises above the roof and drops the sword to Shan-Yu, who was sitting next to the gargoyles in the shadows blending it Shang begins to draw his sword Hun Bald Man #1 and #2 carry the Emperor into the Palace He rises out of the shadows to catch the sword so that all the people can see his face B) Song I’ll Make a Man Out of You (reprise) plays in the background