Retold by Lin Donn Illustrated by Phillip Martin Ancient China The True Story of Mulan   Retold by Lin Donn Illustrated by Phillip Martin

Mulan In Han times, or perhaps Sui times, but certainly before T’ang times, there lived a young girl named Mulan. Her father was a retired and famous general. He taught her to use a sword and ride a horse, which was most unusual. Boys were taught to fight and ride, not girls.  

Mulan One day, the military posted scrolls in the village. The scroll announced that each family had to send one man to the army. Mulan’s father was too old to fight, but too honorable not to go. Mulan had no older brother to send in his place. Her baby brother was brave and strong, but much too young to be selected.  

Mulan Girls did not fight in wars. If only she were a boy, Mulan thought to herself. It would be so simple. An idea grew in Mulan’s mind. Could she do it? She had to. Mulan knew her father would die if he went to war again. That day, she bought a horse.

Mulan The next morning, Mulan stole her father’s armor and crept silently from home. Disguised as a man, she reported for duty to the military leader. Mulan fought for many years, some say as many as ten years. In all that time, no one knew that Mulan was a woman.  

Mulan When the war ended, Mulan was called before the emperor to receive an award for her courage. The emperor offered Mulan a job that would make her rich. But Mulan wished to return to her family. She asked for a good horse instead, a request that was granted immediately.

Mulan Her family was happy to see her. Her brother had grown into a fine young man. Mulan gave him her warrior’s clothes. She dressed herself in woman’s clothes. She wrapped her hair in the style of the day. She added rouge to her cheeks.   When she joined her family to watch the sun set, Mulan had transformed into a beautiful young woman.

Mulan Not long after, friends who had served with Mulan came to visit. Their eyes grew large when they saw the beautiful woman before them. Her story spread across China, to inspire girls everywhere. If you love enough and have courage enough, you can accomplish anything, no matter how impossible it might seem.  

Question Based on this story, do you think girls normally served in the army as soldiers in ancient China? Why or why not? (Justify your answer)  

MORE To read the Ballad of Mulan (translated into English), click here. It’s very short. Learn more about Ancient China Free Ancient China Clip Art

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The Ballad of Mulan vocabulary Theme 1, Story 2 Key Vocabulary Quiz

armor Body covering, often of metal, worn for protection in battle. At dawn Mulan dressed in her armor and bid a sad farewell to her father, mother, sister, and brother. Quiz

comrades Companions who share one’s activities. Her comrades were astonished and amazed. Quiz

endured Put up with or lasted through. Nights at the camp were harsh and cold, but Mulan endured every hardship. Quiz

farewell Good-bye At dawn Mulan dressed in her armor and bid a sad farewell to her father, mother, sister, and brother. Quiz

triumphant Successful After ten years, she returned as a great general, triumphant and victorious! Quiz

troops Soldiers The Emperor is calling for troops. Quiz

victorious Having won by defeating another. After ten years, she returned as a great general, triumphant and victorious! Quiz

Bonus: Which two words are synonyms? Quiz Yourself! armor comrades endured farewell triumphant troops victorious Bonus: Which two words are synonyms? End

Triumphant Victorious The synonyms are… Triumphant Victorious Quiz End

Confucianization of Mulan: Tang Dynasty: model of filial piety, moral integrity and chastity Three cardinal guides: Monarch guides subject; Father guides son; Husband guides wife xiao (filial piety); zhong (loyalty to the monarch) Mulan poem in Tang: How laudable is Mulan’s virtuous integrity, Serving as the model of the monarch’s subjects. Her unswerving loyalty and filial devotion Will be remembered even after thousands of years.

Disney Mulan Disneyfication: Westernization and globalization by a multinational studio Formulaic production: Good prevailing over evil; emotional, catchy songs; cute animal sidekicks for comic relief; young romance; character voices performed by film stars Mushu: Mooshu pork; Eddie Murphy Cri-Kee: cricket

The Hero’s Journey Mulan

Departure (Separation)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ordinary World • This is the hero's home environment where his friends and family are located. The story starts here so that the separation   becomes apparent. This is the land of the "mother" where the hero feels comfortable. Note that this does not necessarily have to be a safe environment as long as the hero feels connected to the land/people/surroundings. Mulan’s home with her mother and father. Here she is trained to be a woman of good fortune and honor.

Call to Adventure There is an awakening of the "self to an unknown, unexpected world. The hero becomes aware of a new, unusual, exciting, forbidden, and/or foreign world. The hero outgrows his old world. The old concepts, ideals, and emotional patterns no longer fit; the time for passing the threshold is at hand. Sometimes, chance reveals an unexpected world; therefore, the hero is forced to leave (which may cause some anxiety.) Huns invade China and one man from each family is called to serve the emperor for China. Mulan does not want her father to go and she realizes that the only way for him not to go is for she herself to go in his place.

Refusal of the Call                                                                                                     Often the hero feels that he/she has it "too good" and refuses to give up all that they currently have (often resulting in the hero being forced to move on). The hero doesn't understand that the refusal of the call means a refusal to move on in life. The hero views his present system of ideals, virtues, goals, and advantages as fixed and secure, or the hero is waiting for the perfect call. Often times the refusal will be encouraged by another character. Obviously, the call will eventually be answered but it is important to recognize all the forces working to keep the character at "status quo." Mulan does not want to leave her father, mother and grandmother. She realizes what she must do and decides to go on her own.

Supernatural Aid                                                                                                                                                  • This can come in the form of a protective figure, usually an elder (old crone or old man.) Provides the hero with something (physical or mental) which will help the hero move forward in his adventure. Perhaps a sword to fight the dragon or a confidence boost to help the hero believe in him/herself. Supernatural figures represent a benign, protecting power of destiny. Represent the forces of the unconscious at the hero's side. Mulan’s spiritual ancesters have a meeting to discuss the dealings of Mulan. They are somewhat her guardians and help her throughout the journey. Mushu is sent to accompany Mulan through her trials. The cricket and horse follow along as well..

Crossing the Threshold The hero ventures into an unknown world which breaks tradition, and the hero meets some dangerous presence. The hero encounters a "threshold guardian" at the entrance to the zone of magnified power. This guardian stands in the way of the hero moving on to the next area. Beyond the entrance to this zone is darkness, the unknown, and danger (desert, jungle, deep sea, Aalien land, etc.) Mulan enters the army training camp full of men, while she, the only woman, has to pretend to fit in with them.

In the Belly of the Whale Once the hero has crossed the threshold, his old world is destroyed (literally or figuratively). He/she moves into a world of darkness (the belly of the whale) and will not come out until he/she is ready to return (so the hero stays in the belly of the whale through all of initiation). Often times there will be a "deepest part" to the belly. This stage gets its name from the Jonah story. It is a sphere of rebirth, a realm of darkness; the hero is swallowed into an unknown, womb-like darkness (representing the unconscious). The hero goes inward (into his own mind) in order to be "reborn." The soldiers that were trained with Mulan are sent into the heat of battle and journey for a long and tiring trail through China. They were trying to ward off the Huns. Mulan can’t turn back to go home after she’s already come this far.

Initiation

Road of Trials • Hero experiences miraculous tests or ordeals on the road of trials. There are usually several incidents that affect the hero at this point. The hero will appear weak and vulnerable, but he/she will also begin to show growth. The hero finds parts of himself he was unaware of and assimilates his unexpected self (psyche). The "item" that the supernatural aid has given the hero will now start to become useful. Mulan is physically and mentally trained by Captain Lee-Shang. After the extensive training, the soldiers are forced to go chase after the Huns because they are the last hope of the emperor to protect China.

Meeting with the Goddess • The hero meets a "goddess" that shows him/her what perfection is truly like. The hero witnesses all that can be accomplished and often times, his/her mission becomes much clearer. The goddess encourages the hero to continue. • This goddess may be a physical person or may be some feminine symbol. Mulan meets Captain Shang-Lee who trains Mulan to be the soldier that he knows she can be. Shang is the symbol of the soldier that all want to aspire to be some day.

The Woman as the Temptress • The hero meets a presence that attempts to destroy the hero's mission. Often the temptress is sent by the evil forces working against the hero in order to try to stop the hero. • The hero is misled into giving up. "This is the easy way out." "Stop now or you will be destroyed." "Join us; you will be happy here." Shan-Yu the Hun and his followers move across China. Mulan encounters Shan-Yu who was sent to stop Mulan’s troop. Through these encounters with Shan-Yu, Mulan feels as if she is a failure and wants to take the easy way out by returning home.

Atonement with the Father Father symbolizes judgment; the hero overcomes fear, judgment, and mental blocks that may have been holding him/her back. • This stage shows growth and the ability to take on adult responsibilities. • Movement from the realm of mother to that of the father. Mulan accepts that she put disgrace upon her family and friends such as the soldiers when they find out that she really is a woman. Mulan overcomes this fear of failure and realizes that she can still help protect and save her people.

Apotheosis                                                                                The hero is in a divine, god-like state (ecstasy). The hero goes beyond the last terrors of ignorance. Hero recognizes the "big picture" (spiritual understanding can be known). The hero finally understands why he/she has been on his/her journey. The journey is not over, but the hero understands what it takes to return. The hero becomes free from all fear, beyond the reach of change. She knows that maybe what she really wanted to do was to go into battle not just for her father, but to prove she could do things right for once. She also did it to do something considered worth while. She realizes she can’t turn back but must face her fears.

The Ultimate Boon • The hero receives the prize that he/she has been after. • The boon may come in the form a physical rewards (like the dragon's treasure), but will more importantly include a mental/emotional reward (like inner peace). Mulan is acknowledged by the emperor after saving all of China from the Huns. She is rewarded with her own mental knowledge of accomplishment, she is also given the sword of the Hun Shan-Yu, as well as a pendant from the emperor.

Return

Refusal of the Return • The hero should bring their wisdom back to their kingdom of humanity. The hero often wishes to remain in isolation with his boon. • Hero can refuse a return; attains or experiences a symbolic "death." • Rarely will a true refusal occur, but often times the temptation to refuse a return is evident. The hero, Mulan, does not refuse the return. Rather, she declines a job for the emperor to return back to her father and mother.

Magic in Flight (The Chase)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Magic in Flight (The Chase) • The hero has his reward, now he must return to safety. There may be forces still working against him/her (possibly trying to get the treasure back that the hero has taken). A "chase" ensues. • The hero usually appears as a changed person by this time. Their final chase is characterized by the hero's confidence and bravery. The Hun Shan-Yu chases Mulan through the palace and almost kills the emperor as well as Mulan. Mulan risked her own life to save her emperor and kingdom.

Rescue From Without • The world may have to come to retrieve the hero. Attaining the boon has drained the hero and he/she needs assistance in returning. • This is sometimes a blow to the hero's ego, but the hero will recover because he sees the big picture and have accomplished a great deed. Mushu helps her escape using a kite and fireworks, her friends as soldiers help to fight off the Hun Shan-Yu and save the whole of China.

Crossing the Return Threshold • There is a difficulty in the hero's return; the world has changed and so has the hero. The hero may not be accepted back to his old world. He may feel awkward in his immediate return. • The returning hero must survive the impact of the world; he may not be able to verbalize the wisdom he has gained through his journey. • The hero conquers the difficulty in returning, showing that he/she is able to adapt. Mulan knows shes been far from home long enough. She returns with honor carrying the Hun’s sword and a pendant the emperor gave her. She accomplished her goals and is now “blossomed.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Master of Two Worlds • Hero has attained wisdom in both the spiritual and material world (conscious world). • The hero gives up completely all attachment to his personal limitations, hopes and fears. • The hero no longer tries to live, but willingly relaxes to whatever may come to pass in him. • The boon that the hero brings restores the world. Mulan understands the cruelty of war as well as the greatness of honor and worthiness.

Freedom to Live                                                                           • The hero reconciles the fact the every creature lives on the death of another. The hero understands that it was only through the "death" of his/her former self that the new life was able to surface. • The hero learns never to be afraid of the next moment (destruction or change), he has learned "to be" (exist). Mulan returns home and realizes that the only way she returned with honor was by joining the other soldiers. She also knew that without the whole process of the battle she would not be the new person she is now. Mulan lives happily with her family and is free to be who she really is rather than someone people expect her to be.

The End