In order to watch Disney's animated feature, Mulan, in the Toonie Theatre (meaning the animated feature film has already been released for a year), I had to memorize verbally and in traditional written form the Chinese poem or folk song that talked about this very memorable woman. She is not fictional; however, fictional characters may have been made up during the retelling of her many tales in visual art formats.
As a child, learning the poem containing three hundred and thirty-two Chinese characters was not fun; however, I was very proud of myself when I managed to memorize it. I even recited it whenever I felt like it. I appreciate this learning even more as an adult because I am now able to enjoy this poem.
Memorizing this poem still feels like a daunting task yet reading it makes one desire for more. This poem tells the readers that Mulan, a female, went to the army in place of her father. It described hardships very briefly. When she returned home, at least a decade later, her fragile parents and lively siblings celebrated. Her army pals were in shock that she was a woman. She replied to them in her usual witty way. (see photo for her reply, final verse of poem).
While re-copying this poem today, I can't believe that simplycandee, the elementary school child, was able to write and recite 332 Chinese characters that are definitely not commonly used. On top of my everyday schooling, I had to memorize all this and its meaning before the movie came down from the theatre again!
I also wondered, how many other "Mulan"s were there during this period of time, not just in ancient China. With that said, I understand why Mulan is not part of the Disney's Princess, she was the girl next door of ancient China.
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