"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon": The Duel Effect of Tradition

In 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', tradition oppresses individuals and their relationships, yet it also empowers. Jen is oppressed by the confines of tradition, and her traditional role as a female oppresses her relationship with Lo. Li Mu Bai, however, is empowered by the guidance of tradition. Ang Lee uses film techniques to present this dual affect. Tradition cleaves Jen from her fighting talents. Jen's parents force her to marry, but have no parental role; Lee …

…tradition rather than resist it. Through the scope of the movie, tradition influences characters in accord of their behaviour and situation. Jen, a woman with a man's talent and ambition, is rejected by tradition; both Jen and Lo, with their incompatible love, are also rejected; Mu Bai, a respected Wudan warrior, is accepted. And so, as the audience peels away Ang Lee's techniques, the rejected are revealed as the oppressed, the accepted as the empowered.