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F is for Fa Mulan: a Disguised Heroine

4/7/2015

13 Comments

 
"Every Hero Has A Story." My Blogging From A to Z theme bridges the summer library reading programs throughout the U.S. with storytelling opportunities, ideas, and activities.
Picture
I had no idea that the legend of Fa Mulan existed until the Disney animated version  came out. We loved the heroine Mulan and her sidekick, Mushu, the small dragon. What a great role model for girls - sharing all of the following traits:
*Heroes persevere
*Heroes have personal courage
*Heroes care for others
*Heroes are resourceful
*Heroes believe in themselves
*Heroes are Optimistic 

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." by the Emperor in Disney's animation movie of Mulan. 
PictureMulan character from the TV series "Once Upon a Time" Source: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Fa_Mulan

It seems that Mulan is a fictional historical character that dates back to a poem or folk song titled "Ballad of Mulan" which was read/sung in the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 A.D.). This poem had 14 stanzas depicting and otherwise ordinary girl who makes a life changing decision to fight in the war (disguised as a man) to save her agingfather from peril and probably death. She's quite capable of handling the weapons available and serves in the Chinese army for ten years. She then returns to her home after declining an invitation to serve as a high official with the emperor. She transforms herself one last time as a woman which totally shocks the soldiers who served with her - they didn't have a clue for 10 years? This story was then rewritten in several different formats from dramatic plays, poems, and novels from  the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) to the present.

The story has remained popular throughout the world, especially China because of the equality represented with a woman serving in a man's army. She did what she had to for her family, never bragging, but always persevering, and believing that one day she would return home.

This is a wonderful story to share with children during this summer's big reading program - Every Hero Has a Story. World history is not taught in our Texas Elementary Schools unless your school is either part of a Core Knowledge School or a private school whom elects to incorporate World History into their curriculum. I typically have a multicultural group of kids in my storytelling club and I love the fact that one of the picture books noted below is written in both English and Spanish - more power to the kids!

Resources

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The Story of Mulan: The Daughter and the Warrior by Gang Yi
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The Legend of Mulan: A Folding Book of the Ancient Poem by Lei Fan
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Mulan: A Story in Chinese and English by Li Jian
1. Nice bare bones story of Mulan with other links included.

2. Mulan (1998) and Hua Mulan (2009)
    National Myth and Trans-
Cultural Intertextuality by Jinhua Li


13 Comments
Pam Faro link
4/7/2015 02:29:36 am

I'm really enjoying your A-Z theme, Sue! And love the resources/books you also include Well done!!

Reply
Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen link
4/7/2015 04:23:43 am

Brillant! We need these role models

Reply
Tim Brannan link
4/7/2015 04:40:53 am

One day I will have to read the non-Disney version!

--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Vampires
<a href="http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/">http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/</a>

Reply
S. L. Hennessy link
4/7/2015 04:55:22 am

I LOVE Mulan. The movie, the character both film and TV, and the original story of Mulan. Wonderful choice.

Good luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com

Reply
Sharon Gilbert link
4/7/2015 05:28:33 am

I am really enjoying following you and including some educational resources is the icing on the cake. Thank you for doing such a thorough job.

Reply
Kat Morrisey link
4/7/2015 06:43:18 am

Wow! I had no idea Mulan was based on a poem/story from so long ago! And you're right: she is an amazing heroine, or "shero" as I like to refer to women heroes as! :D She's also an example of diversity that i wish we saw more of in books and movies and tv shows. Diverse heroines and heroes are needed in this multicultural world, so kids have women like Mulan, and others, to look up to and identify with. Great post and can't wait to see what others you'll have during the challenge!

Reply
Alice Gerard link
4/7/2015 09:03:54 am

I really enjoyed the story of Fulan. It was very dramatic. Also, as you pointed out, a little less than believable. A girl disguised as a boy for ten years with no one knowing! That being said, the story of Fulan would make a fine opera because believeability is not necessary in opera!

Reply
Storyteller Mary link
4/7/2015 09:52:19 am

Worthy of respect indeed! . . . courage, loyalty, and ability to disguise.

Reply
Stepheny Houghtlin link
4/7/2015 01:19:08 pm

Stopping by to say hi during the #Challenge. Love the blogs with (WR) designations. Mine too. Congratulations on the hard work it takes to have this posts. If you have time, come see me too.

Reply
Sue Kuentz link
4/7/2015 01:22:04 pm

Stepheny Houghtlin - was is your blog site - I can't reach it from your name.

Reply
Yvonne V link
4/7/2015 02:52:17 pm

Sue -- what a great idea for a theme!

<a href="http://www.yvonneventresca.com/blog.html">Yvonne</a>

Reply
Chuck Allen link
4/7/2015 03:46:30 pm

I enjoyed Disney's Mulan, but I didn't know about the historical folklore behind it. Very cool!

Reply
Erica
4/7/2015 08:10:01 pm

love the story and the cover picture of Mulan :)

Reply



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Kuentz Creative Consulting, LLC
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