SUMMARY

The story is based on a Chinese folk tale about a plucky Chinese

teenage girl who disguises herself as a boy to fight the invading Huns. When
the invaders and their implacable leader Shan-Yu sweep down on the Chinese
Wall, the Emperor calls up all able men to defend the kingdom. Being the only
man in the Fa family, the weak father of Mulan, Fa Zhou chose to fight in the
battle. Mulan is disheartened from her matchmaking and, terrified that his
father might not make it. Therefore, she decides to join the army in his stead
and disguised herself as Ping with her father’s armor and sword. Escorted by
Mushu a dragon to help Mulan in her expedition with the lucky cricket, Cri-kee
given by her grandmother.

However, it isn't as simple as that. Mulan is defying not simply

convention, but her family's desire that she abide by the plans of a
matchmaker and marry whomever she selects for her. The opening scenes in
the film show Mulan messing up the interview with the matchmaker. She sets
her pants on fire accidentally and was shamed by the matchmaker. She then
asked herself, “when will my reflection show who I am inside?". The message
here is standard feminist empowerment: defy the matchmaker, dress as a
boy, and choose your own career. Thus "Mulan'' has it both ways, since
inevitably Mulan's heart falls for Shang, the handsome young captain she's
assigned to serve under.

Mulan is accompanied on her journey by a scrawny dragon named

Mushu. Even so, he is offended when people doubt, he is a real dragon and
refers to him as a lizard. The training of Mulan for the battle includes the song
promises, "I'll make a man out of you''. Thus, they passed through the
mountains and were ambushed by the Huns. Outnumbered, Mulan came up
with an idea for the last cannon to destroy the enemy. The Huns were almost
annihilated leaving Mulan wounded. By reason of General Shang discovering
that Mulan was a woman and spared her life, even though Shang's snaky
adviser whispers that impersonating a man is treason.

Further, they left her in the mountains infuriated by her trickery. Mulan
then saw Shan Yu and some remaining Huns pursuing the fall of China. She
moves on to the capital to warn General Shang and the remaining imperial
army. Therein, she fought Shan Yu and eventually defeated him. She risked
her life-saving China and was proclaimed the “Hero of China”.
Enumerate SIGNIFICANT EVENTS in the film which BEST
describes the history and culture of Chinese. (3 events)

1. Their culture in marriage (matchmaking).

At the beginning of the movie, Mulan gets bathed, dressed up,
and makeup applied on her face, meets the Matchmaker,
recites the admonition, and is tasked to pour the tea accurately
in ancient Chinese customs. Her makeup is called "E'huang
makeup".
According to some Chinese historical documents, females did
wear a similar type of makeup during the Northern Wei
Dynasty. The traditional style of makeup started to be worn in
the Northern and Southern Dynasties until the Tang Dynasty.

2. Importance of family (including ancestors).

In the movie, it was shown how the ancestors listen to the
prayers of their family. The great ancestor then wants to send
the great dragon (however Mushu failed to wake him up).
Though, with the help of Mushu, a small Chinese dragon sent
by her ancestors to help her, she proves herself as a female
warrior.
Mulan ultimately brings honor to her family by demonstrating
that she is “loyal, brave and true” – qualities engraved on her
father's sword. Mulan knows her crippled father will die in
battle if he is conscripted into the army. Eventually, Mulan
became the hero of China.

3. War (importance of territory).

Mulan is based on Chinese historical documents, a real war
happened between the Northern Wei state and a Mongolic
state called Rouran. In 429, the emperor (khan) of Northern
Wei led an army to fight Rouran, which according to the Ballad
of Mulan lasted 12 years.

The Rouran Khanate was the first Mongolic people to use the
title Khan for their leaders. The Rouran were probably the last
of a people called the Xiongnu who were a northern threat to
"China" since the 3rd century BC. The Rouran is referred to as
the Xiongnu in the translation of the Ballad of Mulan.

Further, in the movie, the reason for everything is because of

the Huns invading China. Though, it indeed portrays the history
and how the Chinese people valued, cared for, loved, and
fought for their country’s territory.