The Meaning of Family Honor

Mulan

This flow traces Mulan’s struggle to reconcile family honor as obedience with the courage to act for those she loves.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Rules for a Daughter Rules for a Daughter from "Mulan". Honor as Conduct A prescribed role Mulan hears that a daughter brings honor by caring for family and behaving with restraint, not by taking bold risks.

Rules for a Daughter from "Mulan". Honor as Conduct A prescribed role Mulan hears that a daughter brings honor by caring for family and behaving with restraint, not by taking bold risks.

Honor as Conduct A prescribed role Mulan hears that a daughter brings honor by caring for family and behaving with restraint, not by taking bold risks. A difficult comparison Her mother’s standards make Xiu’s grace seem like the only acceptable model of daughterhood.

Care Becomes Defiance Care Becomes Defiance from "Mulan". Duty Reinterpreted A choice made alone Mulan departs without her parents’ permission because Xiu needs medicine before the poison reaches her vitals.

Care Becomes Defiance from "Mulan". Duty Reinterpreted A choice made alone Mulan departs without her parents’ permission because Xiu needs medicine before the poison reaches her vitals.

Duty Reinterpreted A choice made alone Mulan departs without her parents’ permission because Xiu needs medicine before the poison reaches her vitals. A promise under uncertainty She hopes her action will not dishonor the family, though she cannot know whether her parents would call it care or disobedience.

Daji’s Shameful Mirror Daji’s Shameful Mirror from "Mulan". Approval Offered as Bait A familiar accusation Daji describes Mulan as careless and improper, echoing the judgments Mulan has heard at home.

Daji’s Shameful Mirror from "Mulan". Approval Offered as Bait A familiar accusation Daji describes Mulan as careless and improper, echoing the judgments Mulan has heard at home.

Approval Offered as Bait A familiar accusation Daji describes Mulan as careless and improper, echoing the judgments Mulan has heard at home. Honor redefined by an enemy The White Fox promises that Mulan can become admired, but ties that transformation to doing exactly what Daji wants.

Courage Without Grace Courage Without Grace from "Mulan". Strength Used for Others Mulan takes control When Lu Ting-Pin loses his sword and the boat is threatened, Mulan forces the yuloh forward and rams the monster.

Courage Without Grace from "Mulan". Strength Used for Others Mulan takes control When Lu Ting-Pin loses his sword and the boat is threatened, Mulan forces the yuloh forward and rams the monster.

Strength Used for Others Mulan takes control When Lu Ting-Pin loses his sword and the boat is threatened, Mulan forces the yuloh forward and rams the monster. A different kind of honor Her physical strength and quick thinking save her companions, qualities that do not resemble the quiet refinement she once thought necessary.

A Daughter Returns A Daughter Returns from "Mulan". Honor Through Deeds A rescue accomplished Mulan returns with the medicine that revives Xiu after facing threats her family could never see.

A Daughter Returns from "Mulan". Honor Through Deeds A rescue accomplished Mulan returns with the medicine that revives Xiu after facing threats her family could never see.

Honor Through Deeds A rescue accomplished Mulan returns with the medicine that revives Xiu after facing threats her family could never see. Identity held together She runs back into the tulou as a daughter and sister, without surrendering the warrior’s courage she has learned to recognize in herself.

Before the journey

The night Mulan leaves home

During the journey

During the sea monster battle

The final night