Mulan embodies the true essence of a hero, as expressed by Joseph Cambell: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Mulan’s journey is a testament to this ideal, as she overcomes various challenges that mold her into the heroic figure she becomes. Through both internal and external struggles, Mulan undergoes a transformative journey that exemplifies the qualities outlined in Joseph Campbell’s monomyth.
The story starts with Mulan being informed that her father is called to battle the Huns for the emperor. Mulan begs her father not to go, as he has already fought for the emperor before. This news sets off Mulan’s quest to become a hero and save her father. Her selflessness and bravery are evident in how she responds to this challenge. Although unsure at first, Mulan ultimately embraces the call to adventure and takes a major step towards becoming a hero. She gathers courage within herself to defy societal norms by taking on a male identity, named Ping, so she can fulfill men’s duties.
The beginning of Mulan’s journey was marked by the bravery she displayed. Overcoming her inner struggle, she embarked on a mission to save her father from a perilous fate. This required pushing her boundaries and stepping out of her comfort zone, as it meant preventing her father from risking his life in battle, which could have resulted in death. Witnessing her father’s fall during training due to his vulnerability in old age, Mulan made the decision to take his place.
During this quest, Mulan received assistance from her ancestral spirits who protected her while answering both hers and her family’s prayers. The moment that truly signaled Mulan entering a new phase was when she left to join Shang and his Samurai comrades for training. This turning point held great significance as it symbolized Mulan accepting a role that she was not accustomed to.
Leaving behind the safety of her home and defying traditional gender roles for women, she had to adapt to being treated and expected to act like a man due to the circumstances. This transition brought about an internal battle that she had to overcome once she crossed the threshold. Serving as guardians at this threshold were Mulan’s parents.
When Mulan’s father discovered that she had taken his armor and left, he went in search of her. Both her mother and father pleaded with her not to go, fearing for her safety. However, Mulan had already left before they could stop her.This scene highlights the understanding that Mulan must face the situation she has gotten herself into and recognize the potential dangers. She alone is responsible for achieving victory and staying safe in the upcoming battle, with no room for outside help. This is the path she must now follow.
During Mulan’s journey to train with her leader, she encounters her supernatural mentor, a dragon named Mushu. Mushu becomes her mentor after she breaks the statue of the Great Stone Dragon. Despite his clumsiness and recklessness, Mushu assists Mulan by helping her choose a male name and coming to her aid when needed. Another mentor in Mulan’s life is her leader Shang, who teaches her the necessary battle skills. Learning these skills allows Mulan to develop personally and overcome physical and mental challenges. With the guidance of her mentors, Mulan adopts the ways of the samurai in order to confront her biggest obstacle. As she matures, Mulan becomes more confident in her actions and ensures they are beneficial. For example, when she sees the Huns army advancing towards her, she seizes the opportunity to defeat them using snow mounts. This action causes the Huns to temporarily retreat while the samurais escape.
Mulan highly values her samurai sword and sees it as her talisman. When she assumes a new identity, she takes her father’s belongings with her, including the samurai sword. This sword was used to symbolically cut off her hair and pass as a samurai, marking a pivotal moment in her life. This act demonstrated her dedication and reassured herself that she could convincingly portray her father’s son. Furthermore, the sword also served as her source of power. Initially unaware of her potential as a great samurai, Mulan’s skillful use of the sword reflected not only her competence but also her character development. In dire situations, the sword proved invaluable. For instance, when faced with a seemingly hopeless encounter against a large army of Huns, Mulan cleverly used the sword as a mirror, grasping the opportunity to protect her comrades and prevent the samurais from being killed. Additionally, her sword enabled her to save her horse from being trapped under snow. These instances highlight the newfound abilities she acquired through training with her mentor.
Mulan had several companions on her journey – Mushu, Shang, Yao, Ling, Po, Khan, and Cri-Kee. Among them, Yao was overconfident and believed he was better than Mulan when she disguised herself as Ping. Mulan worked hard to prove herself to her father and to not give Yao a reason to bully her. She even imitated him spitting to appear more masculine. Mulan’s grandmother gave her Cri-Kee, a cricket believed to bring luck. Mulan carried the cricket everywhere and it is implied that it helped her through tough times. Khan, Mulan’s horse, provided support and comfort as Mulan shared her problems with him. These animal companions witnessed Mulan’s growth throughout her journey. They all trusted her judgement when she came up with a plan to defeat Shan-Yu, showing that Mulan was intelligent and capable in handling difficult situations.
Mulan encounters numerous challenges during her journey. Aside from learning to act like a man and adopting the ways of the Samurai, she also bravely battles the Hun’s army in harsh, cold snow, sustaining a wound to her abdomen. Despite her injury, Mulan demonstrates her capability to handle difficult situations by saving her Samurai companions when all hope seemed lost. This pivotal moment proves that she is an indispensable asset. Mulan’s character evolves from a failed and embarrassed girl to a mature and goal-oriented woman. However, after being wounded, she realizes that her secret as a woman has been exposed in front of Shang. Upon recognizing her vulnerable state, she desperately attempts to explain her circumstances. Instead of escaping without giving any explanation, Mulan confronts her fear head-on. She not only feels remorseful but also develops feelings for Shang as they connect and trust each other unequivocally. The consequences of her actions, including posing as an imposter, entail extreme measures. Shang is initially supposed to execute her, but at the last moment, he walks away, leaving Mulan alone. Despite being deemed a disappointment, Mulan perseveres and continues to defend her country.
This act of not giving up makes her a hero as it shows her determination and bravery. She persists in pursuing her goal, not backing down like a coward would. Mulan’s greatest challenge comes in her fight against Shan-Yu. Originally, she had only planned to save the emperor and then leave. However, when she sees Shang lying helpless on the floor after being struck by Shan-Yu, she cannot simply walk away. This action demonstrates how Mulan’s perspective has expanded. While she initially fought for the sake of her father, she realizes the bigger picture and understands that she must save China from the cruelty of Shan-Yu. Mulan engages in battle with him and manages to defeat him by using an explosive brought by Mushu. Although she initially tries to flee, she always finds a way to leave Shan-Yu defenseless, ultimately leading to his defeat. When the emperor, who was saved by Mulan, learns of her actions, he looks past any mistakes and bows down to her in honor. This unexpected gesture astonishes everyone, but since the emperor is showing respect, all of China follows suit. It is in this moment that Mulan is treated like a deity. As everyone bows down to her, it becomes clear that the entirety of China sees her as a savior. Their previous lack of faith is replaced with deep appreciation. This experience proves to Mulan that she is not an embarrassment, but the complete opposite.
After her final battle, Mulan returned home as a hero and presented her father with the honorable gifts bestowed upon her by the emperor. Despite having been offered a position on the emperor’s council, Mulan chose to reunite with her father and share a deeply emotional hug. Her father expressed his heartfelt sentiments, saying, “Having you as a daughter is the greatest gift and honor. I have missed you so much.” Having successfully overcome both personal and external challenges, Mulan transformed from being disgraced to a person of high prestige. With the assurance that there would be no more wars, she could finally let go of her worries and find solace in the fact that her initial reason for fighting was fulfilled – her father’s safety.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that Mulan is indeed a hero. She exemplifies all the stages of the monomyth, which define her as a heroic figure. A hero is not solely defined by their ability to save people, but also by their selfless actions without expecting anything in return. Mulan’s journey serves as evidence that she can overcome any obstacles placed before her.
