Mulan’s story : one of the first women who disguised as a man to do what she wants
Today I'm going to tell you Mulan's true story, the one that inspired Disney to make his cartoon. Because Mulan's story is one of the first stories about a woman who disguises herself as a man. The story that inspired Disney’s cartoon was actually built around a ballad that dates back to the 5th Century. In this ballad we witness how Mulan dresses up in male clothing and decieves her classmates for many years before revealing herself to them as a woman, in dress and make-up (well, rather as the feminine stereotype of the time).
Mulan's
"true story" began during the Wei Dynasty, which stretched from 386
to 584 in the North China kingdom.
Mulan is said
to have been a young general's daughter who disguised herself as a man to take
the place of her father, who was too old, or her brother, who was too young, in
the army of the Wei kingdom. She thus leaves to fight for the emperor in the
place of a man of her family, always with the approval and support of her
family for whom she makes this sacrifice.
Contrary to what we see in Disney, in which she hides her departure from her family and does so against their advice.
So she left to fight under the banner of
Emperor Taiwudi, third emperor of the Northern Wei dynasty, from the Turkish
people of Tabghatchn who were
fighting against the « barbarian » Mongols, and more precisely
against the Ruan people.
Mulan is said to have served for 12 years in the emperor's army. She was very gifted in the art of combat and military strategy, became very popular among her comrades and was promoted to General after battles during which she particularly distinguished herself. During 12 years of war she managed to keep her secret and nobody realised that she was a woman.
At the end of the war, they wanted to pay her homage and offer her a position of responsibility, which she refused. All she asked for is a fast horse so that she could go home as soon as possible. In the original story she reveals her secret at the end of her mission and goes home to resume her life as a weaver.
Once back home,
when the emperor learned that the
general who had distinguished himself so much during the war was in fact a
woman, he wanted to make her his concubine. So he sent many messengers to Mulan
and insisted on her doing
so, opposing Mulan's many refusals.
Understanding
that the emperor would not give up, and at his insistence Mulan ended up
committing suicide with her own sword, rather than become his concubine.
When news of
Mulan's death reached the palace, the emperor chose to honour him with an
imperial funeral.
Here ends the
true story of Mulan, which Disney has largely adapted and modified in its
cartoon, especially the ending. In the original version Mulan would rather
commit suicide than marry a man she doesn't love and keep her honour. In the
Disney version Mulan marries, certainly for love, but to a general, whereas in
the real version she is that general.
Disney has
therefore watered down much of the story and removed much of the feminist
essence of the story. But they are not the only ones. Indeed, over time the
story will be adapted in different forms according to the period.
Here are a few
examples:
During the Ming dynasty, Xu Wei, a Chinese playwright and painter, gave the family name "Hua" in his play "Mulan, woman, replaces her father in the army".
From the 16th century onwards Mulan's story is widely taken up and the narrative is transformed. Depending on the stories, Mulan changes:
· Period;
· Birth;
· Becomes
Chinese;
· Sometimes
remains a warrior;
· Sometimes
goes home to get married;
· Sometimes
commits suicide out of a sense of honour.
In fact, over time, history will gradually slide towards Chinese patriotism, even if it means betraying the original story of a young girl disguising herself to help her father. And this despite the fact that in the 5th century the North of China was populated by nomads coming from Siberia, her name "Mulan" is said to have originated from Tabghatch, just like the emperor she serves in the original story.
Because of her
often forgotten nomadic origin and the play by Xu Wei which gives Mulan her
family name, she is one of the first heroines of Chinese literature.
It is also
important to know that there is a historical reality behind this story. Indeed,
there are traces of women from the families of Chinese generals who carried
swords and were skilled in the art of combat. Many officers' daughters were
trained in the art of combat.
At the beginning of the 20th century Mulan became a Chinese feminist icon. Chinese women fought for their rights, for emancipationand to end the custom of bandaged feet. Mulan is the symbol of the strong and independent woman who demonstrates the strength of these women who are fighting against archaic and violent practices against women.
Even today, bravery and humility still make Mulan a legendary Chinese heroine. In fact, she is known throughout the world as a resiliant woman who fights "like a man", as the cartoon song says. But shouldn't lyrics actually be "like a woman"? Because it was the strength and determination of a woman that « saved » China after all.
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