In the Hero’s Journey, “Crossing the Threshold” is a pivotal moment where the hero leaves their ordinary world and enters a new, unfamiliar realm filled with challenges and adventures. This stage marks a definitive point of no return, as the hero commits to their journey and embraces the unknown, often leading to significant personal growth and transformation.
In Disney’s Mulan, the moment of Crossing the Threshold occurs when Mulan, disguised as a man, takes her father's place in the army. Initially living in the constraints of societal expectations, Mulan defies tradition and enters the vibrant, yet perilous world of the military. This choice embodies her commitment to protect her father while also striving to forge her own identity. As she steps into this new life, Mulan faces not only external challenges, such as military training and combat, but also internal struggles involving her self-identity and societal roles.
Mulan's act of crossing the threshold is significant because it illustrates her courage and determination to break free from conventional female roles in ancient China. According to Campbell's framework of the Hero's Journey, this moment is essential as it symbolizes the hero's commitment to the quest and the beginning of the transformational journey (Campbell, 1949). Mulan's journey not only contributes to her personal growth but also challenges the norms of her society, making her a profound representation of the archetypal hero.
References: Campbell, J. (1949). The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press.