Stage 6: Mulan by Alexi Zoe Ngo

Tests (Challenges the Hero Faces): Resilience/Strategy

jt26569 — 2025-08-21 19:22:06 UTC

Mulan, alongside her comrades, had to train before entering war against the Huns. She wasn't used to the intensity or antics of the camp, so she had a difficult time in training. But being the most determined out of all of them (for the sake of her family and herself), Mulan was able to sharpen her skills in combat and warfare using her smarts, and come out on top in the end.

Allies (Friends & Helpers)

an26429 — 2025-08-21 19:25:43 UTC

Mushu, a tiny dragon, is Mulan's first companion/ally that she makes on her journey. He helps guide her and gives her advice when needed. Despite him causing her trouble at times Mushu is always there to support her.

Enemies: Shan Yu and the Hun Army

ed26187 — 2025-08-21 19:27:12 UTC

Shan Yu is the leader of the Han Army and they have a desire to take over China, so they are determined to get rid of Mulan's army. When Mulan find out that Shan Yu would be present at the palace during a ceremony, her and her friends create a plan to lure him away from the emperor and get rid of him at last.

Allies (Friends & Helpers)

an26429 — 2025-08-21 19:32:15 UTC

Yao, Chien-Po, and Ling are friends that Mulan makes on her journey. At the beginning they did not like her. They would sabotage and make fun of her all the time. They saw her as the weak-link. After training with her, they saw how strong and dedicated she was. With time, they started to respect her and treat her as a comrade.

Tests (Challenges the Hero Faces): Fitting In/Finding Companions

jt26569 — 2025-08-21 19:35:52 UTC

As a woman during a patriarchal era, Mulan had a hard time fitting in with the army full of men. The life she lived previously was vastly different and separate from men, so she only had the vaguest idea of how to act around them, trying to spend most of her time alone (with Mushu) in the camp. Later on she finds that being herself, albeit pretending to be a man, helped her to make friends and fit in with everyone else.

Enemies: Obstacles

ed26187 — 2025-08-21 19:35:57 UTC

In her hometown community, Mulan struggled to deal with the social norms of being a woman. She would often embarrass or dishonor her family because of her adventurous, clumsy, and "unlady-like" qualities before her time fighting in the war.

Allies (Friends & Helpers)

an26429 — 2025-08-21 19:37:35 UTC

Li Shang, Mulan's LOVER!!!!

They had an enemies to lovers troupe. At the beginning Shang HATED Mulan. He saw her as a useless and weak man. He wanted her GONE. Shang even told her to leave, BUT she didn't. Mulan stayed and became stronger. Shang noticed this and saw her in a different light. He started to see her as a comrade who can stand beside him and fight.

RQ 2: Which ally was most essential to the hero's growth? Could the hero succeed without them?

an26429 — 2025-08-21 19:39:15 UTC

I think the character that was most essential to Mulan's growth was Mushu. He helped guide Mulan down her journey and gave her words of encouragement when she needed it. I think that the hero could've survived without him. Although he did help Mulan, he seemed more like and emotional support buddy.

Enemies: Hiding Her Identity

ed26187 — 2025-08-21 19:39:25 UTC

When Mulan went to the army, she did not want anyone to find out that she was a woman instead of a man. Mulan knew that women were not allowed to serve in the army, but she felt that she really needed to take in place of her father since he was old and frail. She had to cut off her long hair in order to look like a man. In the end, the army found out about her true identity, they were disappointed in her and banned her from further serving in the army. Later on though, Mulan was able to redeem herself when she organized a plan to save China from Shan Yu.

Tests (Challenges the Hero Faces): Relationship Problems

jt26569 — 2025-08-22 10:10:29 UTC

In Mulan II, Shang and Mulan had gotten engaged and were afterwards given a mission together. Throughout the mission, they often fought (mostly due to Mushu), but in the end, it only solidified their relationship. They were able to realize that they loved each other more than they hated each other. Coming through for each other despite their disagreements and differences was a testament to their love

˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

RQ 3: Which enemy posed the greatest threat, and how?

jt26569 — 2025-08-22 10:33:27 UTC

Shan Yu posed as the greatest threat as the main antagonist throughout the film. His motivations were to kill the emperor and take over China, killing anyone that got in his way. It was heavily implied that him and his army had killed Shang's father, other armies, and Chinese civilians. Without him, Mulan wouldn't have gone off to war in stead of her father. Without him, the army wouldn't have recognized Mulan as a great soldier and that she's actually a woman. Without him recovering from an entire avalanche, Mulan wouldn't have gotten the entirety of China and her companion's recognition.

RQ4: How do these tests, allies, and enemies prepare the hero for the greater challenges ahead?

jt26569 — 2025-08-22 10:39:26 UTC

The tests, allies, and enemies that Mulan encounters help her to become someone worthy and built enough for the greater challenges ahead. One example was Mulan's cleverness that was established earlier in the movie, which later shone in the battle against the Huns. The Imperial army was at a clear disadvantage, overwhelmed by the size and resources of the Hun army. But because of Mulan's clever plan to take down the Huns in one fell swoop, they were able to take control of the battle, wiping out the majority of the Hun army. The relationships that Mulan developed while at the camp came through in the end as well. Even though her true identity was exposed, they believed in her and wanted to stand by her, helping her to defeat Shan Yu and the rest of his goons once and for all.

RQ 1: Which test taught the hero the most important lesson? Why?

ed26187 — 2025-08-22 14:55:15 UTC

The most important lesson that Mulan learned was when she was training to serve in the army. Even though this even was one of the most physically and mentally challenged for her, she continued to be determined to fight through these challenges for the sake of her family and the country. She learned that if you truly love something, you are willing to fight for your life for what you love.