Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 4

http://vfinnegan.edublogs.org/2010/11/09/the-monomyth-disneys-mulan/ http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng104/myth/hero.

pdf

The Heroic Journey

For every hero is a journey which is taken in order to complete their mission. Joseph Campbells The Hero with a Thousand Faces shows a detailed perspective of what a heros journey looks like. In his literature he states different aspects such as the separation, initiation, and return. With those aspects in mind, he gives direct reference as to how these three categories subdivide into a more thorough context which helps to create a flow within any monomyth. His method of writing set a standard for all heroic tales, incorporating his method of basic sentence structure, including various details common to all stories around the world. Fa Mulan in Mulan follows Joseph Campbells monomyth of the hero by separation from her home and family, initiation into the Imperial army, and finally returning to China with the sword of Shan-Yu. In a world of common day, Campbell believes this to be where this heros life was, before it was altered into their journey. For Mulan, she lived at home with her parents following a daily routine. Her quest was to bring her family honor. Quickly her life changed due to a specific character named Chi Fu. Chi Fu, plays an important role according to Campbells monomyth because he is who the herald is. This man subjected Mulans father to the Imperial army. Therefore, Mulan felt it was her duty to take on this mission, after pleading for her fathers stay at home. This can relate to Campbells refusal of the call because it is apparent that she

would rather not go to such drastic measures. In every monomyth there is a supernatural aid, Campbell defines this as, The first encounter of the hero-journey is with a protective figure who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass Such a figure represents in the benign, protecting power of destiny. For Mulan, her main supernatural aid is Mushu, a talking dragon who is also seen as an ancestor. There is also a cricket, which is considered good luck in Asian cultures. These characters stay by her side and help with guidance on her journey. Mulan crosses the first threshold and enters the belly of the whale by preventing to blow her cover in the imperial army. She realizes she must stay physically and mentally trained by her mentor Shang in order to protect China in case of invasion by the Hans. Under Campbells structured guidelines, Mulan enters her initiation point, this is where she faces many trials that go against her on her quest. The road of trials is designed to acquire a lot of questioning and doubt within the hero but still manage to see hope within the situation given. Mulan gives a perfect example of this because she is still trying to acquire the same amount of strength as the males fighting in the same army she is. She also realizes that her troops are the only hope for following the Hans to the city, which places a lot of responsibility onto her shoulders. Lee Shang, her mentor, is seen as the God, She is one who, by her qualities, her beauty, or her yearning, is fit to become the consort of an immortal (p.119). She seeks betterment in her practice in hopes of impressing Shang. She slightly loses sight in her main goal, until she realizes she can quickly be sent home, which will put dishonor on her familys name. Shan-Yu, leader of the Hans plays as the woman as temptress, he wants to destroy Mulan for killing off his army, within this attempt, Mulans troop realizes she is a woman and there is when she has the atonement with the father. Mulans judgment, based off of her being a woman pushed her back, but she realizes she needs to fulfill

her duties in order to save all of China. The woman as temptress, atonement with the father and the apotheosis falls very closely together. These all ultimately made her decision in completing her mission. Campbell says that the ultimate boon is finally realizing that everything a character is set out to do is for ultimate peace in their primary state. Mulan shows this by being offered the sword on Shan-Yu to show everything she has done for her personal accomplishments and for China. Mulan completes her quest to save China and with that she was offered a job in the palace of the emperor but she kindly refuses as she decides it is her time to go home to her family. The refusal of the return shows that she has accomplished her mission but realizes she must return home pleased with her own self accomplishments. The Magic Flight is defined as, The final stage of his adventure is supported by all the powers of his supernatural (p.196). Mulan makes her return to the palace to inform others that Shan-Yu is not dead, Shan-Yu then kidnaps the emperor. Mulan risks her own life by sneaking into the area he is held hostage and fighting Shan-Yu for herself. Along this journey of Mulans her supernatural aid is continuously by her side and because of that he is her rescue from within. Mushu saved Mulan by aiming explosive fireworks at Shan-Yu and engulfing him in flames. This ended his life, saved Mulans and the rest of China. From all these experiences, Mulan has mastered the two worlds, and crossed the threshold. She realized the honor associated with war but also recognized the risks involved with it, and attained her biggest goal, which was to bring honor to her family name. Her clear state of mind and honor she brought to all of China allows her the freedom to live. Throughout Mulans mission, she perfectly displayed what a heros journey portrays. Every category Campbell describes in his monomyth was fulfilled and associated with every action taken. Her separation from her family and home showed the first elements of a hero.

Mulan showed the strength and ability to complete her mission, although her tribulations seemed much bigger than she was and because of that, her mission was accomplished.

Вам также может понравиться