1. Character
- Protagonist: Fa Mulan, a young woman struggling with societal expectations and her own sense of identity.
- Attributes: Brave, resourceful, and determined, yet initially unsure of herself.
- Flaw/Weakness: Mulan struggles with self-doubt and feels she doesn’t fit into the traditional role assigned to her as a woman in her society.
2. Ultimate Goal
- Mulan’s ultimate goal is to protect her family and bring honour to them.
- This is achieved by disguising herself as a man and taking her father’s place in the army to fight against the Huns.
3. Problem
- The external problem: The Huns, led by the ruthless Shan Yu, invade China, threatening its sovereignty.
- The internal problem: Mulan’s struggle to reconcile her personal identity with societal expectations and the pressure to bring honour to her family.
In this musical sequence, pay attention to the lyrics. They reflect society’s expectations of women and define what is considered honourable for the family and country.
However, Fa Mulan struggles to meet society’s expectations of honour and feels incapable of fulfilling her duty to her family. Through the song Reflection, she expresses her inner conflict, questioning her identity and the role she is expected to play. The lyrics reveal her desire to be true to herself while grappling with the pressure to conform.
4. Trigger
- The Emperor’s decree that one man from every family must join the army to defend China.
- Mulan’s father, Fa Zhou, is too old and frail to fight, but he is still expected to serve.
5. Journey
- Physical Journey: Mulan disguises herself as a man and travels to join the Chinese army. She trains under Captain Li Shang and eventually participates in the battle against the Huns.
- Emotional Journey: Mulan transforms from an insecure girl into a confident and capable warrior who learns to embrace her unique qualities.
Key event:
- Training at the camp (“Make a Man Out of You” montage).
- The ambush on the snowy mountain pass.
- The discovery of her identity after being injured.
6. Downfall
- Mulan’s secret is revealed when she is injured, and her true gender is discovered.
- She is cast out of the army and feels she has failed to protect her family and bring them honour.
7. Risk & Stakes
- Personal Stakes: If Mulan is discovered as a woman, she faces severe punishment and dishonours her family.
- National Stakes: If the Huns succeed in their invasion, the Emperor and the entire nation are at risk of falling under enemy control.
8. Transformation
- Mulan evolves from being a misfit unsure of her role into a hero who defies conventions to save her country.
- She realises that her strength lies in her intelligence, courage, and ingenuity rather than conforming to societal norms.
9. Climax
- Mulan confronts Shan Yu in the Imperial City. Using her quick thinking and creativity, she devises a plan to defeat him with the help of her friends and Mushu.
- The climactic rooftop battle showcases her bravery as she outwits Shan Yu and saves the Emperor.
10. The End
- Resolution: Mulan returns home, where she is finally embraced and appreciated by her family for who she is.
- The Emperor and the people of China recognise her as a national hero, showing that true honour comes from one’s actions, not rigid traditions.
