Mulan from Disney's Mulan, Describe your hero’s “Ordinary World.” Where does your character live? What is their normal life like?

Question

Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
Describe your hero’s “call to adventure.” What event occurs that disrupts your hero’s life? Why must your hero leave their ordinary world? Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
Describe how your hero initially hesitates or refuses the call to adventure. What doubts or fears does your hero have that causes them to hesitate? Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
Who is considered your hero’s mentor? Describe the mentor’s character. What support, advice, or guidance does the mentor provide to the hero? Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
Why does the hero cross the Threshold into adventure? What makes your hero commit to the adventure?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What friends or allies does your hero make along their journey? Describe these allies and how they help your hero overcome any tests or trials. Does your hero encounter any enemies in their journey? What roadblocks do the enemies present and how does your hero overcome them?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What major challenge is your hero preparing for? How do the hero’s friends and allies help them prepare?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What major obstacle or enemy does your hero have to overcome? What is your hero’s greatest challenge?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What reward does you hero gain as a result of overcoming their greatest challenge? (The reward could be a powerful object, knowledge or insight.) Why is this important to your hero?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What additional obstacles or challenges does your hero face on the way back home? How does your hero deal with these challenges?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What final challenge must your hero overcome? How is your hero transformed by this challenge?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
What happens when your hero returns home? How has your hero changed as a result of their journey?
Use evidence from your hero’s story or movie as support. You do NOT have to use a direct quote, but your example should be specific. Include an in-text citation. Even if you are paraphrasing, you still need to cite your source.
(Using the complete MLA citations, list your sources in alphabetical order.)

Answer 1

Ordinary World

In Disney's Mulan, the protagonist lives in a small village in ancient China, where her life revolves around familial expectations and traditional gender roles. Mulan is expected to adhere to the societal norms that dictate that women should be demure, skilled in household tasks, and prepared for marriage, rather than pursuing any form of independence or adventure. Her daily life reflects this typical existence, as she struggles to meet her family's expectations while also feeling out of place due to her impetuous and spirited nature (Disney).

Call to Adventure

Mulan’s ordinary world is disrupted when the emperor issues a decree that calls for all able-bodied men to join the army in response to the invasion by the Huns. This event forces Mulan's aging father, who has already been wounded in battle, to prepare for war, which deeply unsettles her. Fearing for her father’s life, Mulan feels compelled to take his place, thereby prompting her to step outside her expected role and take on a dangerous mission (Disney).

Refusal of the Call

Initially, Mulan hesitates to accept the call to adventure due to her fears of inadequacy and the potential consequences of defying societal norms. She worries that she would fail at being a soldier and feels the immense pressure of dishonoring her family if she were to be discovered as a woman in the military. Mulan's doubts are evident as she grapples with the thought of bringing shame rather than honor to her family, which leads her to initially resist taking this unprecedented step (Disney).

Mentor

Mulan's mentor is Mushu, a small dragon who was once a guardian for her family. Despite his diminutive size and comedic demeanor, Mushu provides essential support and guidance to Mulan as she undertakes her journey. He encourages her to accept her destiny and helps her gain confidence in herself by providing her with vital advice and strategic insights that prepare her for the challenges she will face as a soldier (Disney).

Crossing the Threshold

Mulan finally commits to her adventure when she disguises herself as a man and takes her father's place in the army. This act of bravery symbolizes her complete departure from her ordinary world and acceptance of her new identity. Her determination to protect her father and prove herself leads her to embrace her role as a soldier, marking her entry into an unforeseen life of danger and discovery (Disney).

Allies and Enemies

Throughout her journey, Mulan makes friends among her fellow soldiers, including Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po, who become her allies. These characters support her by helping her to adapt to military life and confront the challenges of training and combat. Mulan also faces enemies, particularly Shan Yu, the ruthless leader of the Huns. As she grows in her abilities, Mulan learns to navigate these threats, using her intelligence and ingenuity to turn the tide in battles (Disney).

Major Challenge Preparation

The major challenge Mulan prepares for is the climactic battle against Shan Yu and the Huns. Her friends and allies support her by training alongside her and rallying together to boost her confidence. This camaraderie becomes crucial as they collectively strategize and prepare for the impending confrontation, highlighting teamwork and unity in their quest (Disney).

Greatest Challenge

Mulan's greatest challenge arises during the final battle with Shan Yu, where she must confront not only the enemy but also traditional expectations of bravery and honor. She cleverly uses her knowledge of their environment to devise a plan that ultimately leads to the defeat of the Huns, showcasing her resourcefulness and bravery (Disney).

Reward

As a result of overcoming her greatest challenge, Mulan gains not only victory over the Huns but also a newfound sense of self-worth and recognition of her capabilities. She earns the respect of her fellow soldiers and her country for her bravery, which is a significant reward that represents her journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment (Disney).

Additional Obstacles

On her way back home, Mulan faces the challenge of revealing her true identity. She must reconcile the bravery she showed in battle with the fear of being dishonored for masquerading as a man. Mulan deals with this by standing firm in her convictions and embracing her identity, regardless of societal expectations (Disney).

Final Challenge

The final challenge Mulan faces occurs when she returns home but has to confront the consequences of her actions regarding her deception. However, ultimately, she is transformed through her adventures, gaining the wisdom that comes from her experiences, and understanding that true honor comes from being true to oneself (Disney).

Return Home

Upon returning home, Mulan has changed significantly. She is no longer just a dutiful daughter; she has become a figure of courage and integrity. Her experiences have reshaped her understanding of honor, and she reconciles her past with her new identity as a warrior. Her bravery ultimately leads to her acceptance and respect in her community, marking her transition from a traditional role to a role of influence (Disney).

Works Cited

Disney. Mulan. Walt Disney Animation Studios, 1998.