Mulan (1998 Film)

Mulan (1998 Film) Literary Elements

Director

Barry Cook, Tony Bancroft

Leading Actors/Actresses

Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer

Supporting Actors/Actresses

Lea Salonga, Donny Osmond, June Foray, George Takei

Genre

Animated, Drama, Comedy

Language

English

Awards

Annie Award for Best Animated Feature

Date of Release

June 16, 1998

Producer

Pam Coates

Setting and Context

Imperial China, during the Han Dynasty

Narrator and Point of View

No narrator or particular point of view, though the narrative generally follows Mulan.

Tone and Mood

Filled with hope and courage; the mood is that of defiance and determination.

Protagonist and Antagonist

Mulan is the protagonist; Shan Yu, leader of the Hun army, is the antagonist.

Major Conflict

The Huns have invaded China and there is now conflict between Hun leader Shan Yu and the Emperor of China. Additionally, Mulan has disguised herself as a man to fight in the army, thus putting herself in danger, as cross-dressing is a punishable offense.

Climax

Mushu helps Mulan in launching Shan Yu into a nearby tower filled with fireworks, which kills him.

Foreshadowing

Understatement

Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques

Allusions

Allusions to ancient Chinese history, the fable of Mulan.

Paradox

Mulan has to disguise herself as a boy in order to be allowed to join the army, but as a girl she is the most courageous and strategic of all the characters.

Parallelism

There is a parallel between Mulan dressing up as a boy to get into the army and her fellow soldiers dressing up as girls to get into the palace.