Ancient ChinaAncient China

The True Story of Mulan

Retold by Lin DonnIllustrated by Phillip Martin

MulaMulannIn 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.

MulaMulannOne 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.

MulanMulanGirls 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.

MulanMulan

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.

MulanMulanWhen 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.

MulanMulanHer 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.

MulanMulanNot 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.

QuestionQuestion

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

1.To read the Ballad of Mulan (translated into English), click here. It’s very short.

2.Learn more about Ancient China

3.Free Ancient China Clip Art

…

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The Ballad of MulanThe Ballad of Mulanvocabularyvocabulary

Theme 1, Story 2Theme 1, Story 2

Key VocabularyKey VocabularyQuiz

armorarmor Body covering, Body covering,

often of metal, often of metal, worn for worn for protection in protection in battle. battle.

At dawn Mulan At dawn Mulan dressed in her dressed in her armorarmor and bid a and bid a sad farewell to her sad farewell to her father, mother, father, mother, sister, and brother. sister, and brother.

Quiz

comradescomrades

Companions who Companions who share one’s share one’s activities. activities.

Her Her comrades comrades were astonished were astonished and amazed.and amazed.

Quiz

enduredendured

Put up with or Put up with or lasted through.lasted through.

Nights at the Nights at the camp were harsh camp were harsh and cold, but and cold, but Mulan Mulan enduredendured every hardship.every hardship.

Quiz

farewellfarewell

Good-byeGood-bye

At dawn Mulan At dawn Mulan dressed in her dressed in her armor and bid a armor and bid a sad sad farewellfarewell to to her father, her father, mother, sister, mother, sister, and brother.and brother.

Quiz

triumphanttriumphant

SuccessfulSuccessful

After ten years, After ten years, she returned as she returned as a great general, a great general, triumphanttriumphant and and victorious!victorious!

Quiz

troopstroops

SoldiersSoldiers

The Emperor is The Emperor is calling for calling for troopstroops..

Quiz

victoriousvictorious

Having won by Having won by defeating defeating another.another.

After ten years, After ten years, she returned as she returned as a great general, a great general, triumphant and triumphant and victoriousvictorious!!

Quiz

Quiz Yourself!Quiz Yourself!

armor comrades endured farewell

triumphant troops victorious

Bonus: Which two words are

synonyms?

End

The synonyms are…The synonyms are…

TriumphantTriumphant VictoriousVictorious

Quiz End

Confucianization of Mulan:Confucianization of Mulan: Tang Dynasty: model of filial piety, moral Tang Dynasty: model of filial piety, moral

integrity and chastityintegrity and chastity Three cardinal guides: Monarch guides Three cardinal guides: Monarch guides

subject; Father guides son; Husband subject; Father guides son; Husband guides wifeguides wife

xiaoxiao (filial piety); (filial piety); zhongzhong (loyalty to the (loyalty to the monarch)monarch)

Mulan poem in Tang:Mulan poem in Tang: How laudable is Mulan’s virtuous integrity,How laudable is Mulan’s virtuous integrity, Serving as the model of the monarch’s subjects.Serving as the model of the monarch’s subjects. Her unswerving loyalty and filial devotionHer unswerving loyalty and filial devotion Will be remembered even after thousands of Will be remembered even after thousands of

years.years.

Disney Disney MulanMulan Disneyfication: Westernization and globalization by Disneyfication: Westernization and globalization by

a multinational studioa multinational studio Formulaic production:Formulaic production: Good prevailing over evil; emotional, catchy songs; Good prevailing over evil; emotional, catchy songs;

cute animal sidekicks for comic relief; young cute animal sidekicks for comic relief; young romance; character voices performed by film starsromance; character voices performed by film stars

Mushu: Mooshu pork; Eddie Murphy Cri-Kee: Mushu: Mooshu pork; Eddie Murphy Cri-Kee: cricketcricket

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.

• 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."

In the Belly of the Whale

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

• 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.

Road of Trials

• 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.

Meeting with the Goddess

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 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."

The Woman as the Temptress

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.

                                                                              

• 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.

Apotheosis

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 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.

The Ultimate Boon

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.

Refusal of the Return

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                        

• 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.

Magic in Flight (The Chase)

• 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.

Rescue From Without

• 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.”

Crossing the Return Threshold

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                        

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