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Summary
The story of Mulan originated from ancient China. Disney adapted it in the late 1990s,
and caused a global sensation. The film tells about how Mulan disguised herself into a
male to take her fathers role in conscription army, and finally helped the army to win
finally victory. As the oldest daughter in her family, Mulans parents wished her to
marry a good man, and failed to do so after many tries. At that time, Mulans country
was invaded by the Huns, so the royal court implemented mandatory conscription to
men in all families, including Mulans old and disabled father. Mulan did not want her
father to suffer from hardships in war, so she disguised into a male and join the army
in the name of her father. Mulan then passed many tough tests and became an
excellent soldier. Unfortunately, her female identity was exposed, so she was left by
the army. Finally, at the critical moment, Mulan appeared and helped the army to
defeat enemy.
Analysis
In ancient Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, civilization, war
strategy, justice, and law judged victory to Apollo who represented male view in the
Orestess matricide case, because she believed mother was not the origin of children.
In the myth, victory of males rationality principle ended up goddesses ruling, and
confirmed the superior position of patriarchy against matriarchy. Similarly, story
background of Mulan is feudal society in China, which is a typical patriarchal society.
At that time, there was a social norm of males managing external affairs and women
managing family affairs. In Greek mythology, Athena swore to never marry and
maintain her virginity, but Mulan could not do so.
Persuaded by her grandmother and mother, Mulan had to learn how to be a good
wife like all the other girls, in order to select a good husband from blind date. When
Mulan was tested by the matchmaker, she was a gazed object, and existed as a
subordinate to men. Mulan desired to win glory for her family, but she still possessed
References
Classical Mythology textbook
The Odyssey
Lecture note on Athena