Synopsis of the Film

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CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS

This chapter presents the main part of the study. In analyzing the film of “Mulan”, I only focus on one character of the film; Mulan, without ignoring other characters. Through her character and characterization, we can reveal the problem that was faced by women in ancient Chinese and women’s struggle for equality of national defense right. Besides using the film as my data, I also use the script of the film that I took from internet as the same as the film. It helped me to make it easier to analyze this film.

4.1 Synopsis of the Film

At the beginning of the film, the Huns which were led by Shan Yu entered China through the Great Wall. However, it could be detected by the patrol soldiers. Sooner, the General Li, the commander of the emperor troops, reported it to the emperor. Then the emperor asked Chi Fu, the emperor’s council, to deliver conscription notice to the public. In other scene, Mulan prepared herself to go to matchmaker’s house. There Mulan competed with other participants to get matchmaker’s attention in order to get a husband and it could bring honor to her family. Therefore, Fa Li, Mulan’s mom, and her grandmother gave her a cricket, Cri Kee. It was kind of superstition that a cricket was believed could bring luck. However, it made a trouble instead which caused Mulan failed to impress the matchmaker. 32 Mulan came back home in desperate. Fa Zhou, Mulan’s father, tried to amuse her. While they were speaking, Chi Fu and imperial army came to deliver proclamation. Fa Zhou was unexpectedly called to the army. Because he did not have son to replace him so he had to receive it. Mulan tried to prohibit him to go, but he still wanted to go because he regarded that it was great honor to die to defense a country. Because of pitying for her father’s condition, Mulan stole Fa Zhou’s conscription notice and armor and sword, dressed as a boy, and run away from home to replace him. The ancestors had no choice except sent the little dragon Mushu to protect Mulan, who would be killed if she was discovered. In the training camp, Mulan joined other soldiers using nickname Ping. There she found close mates whose names were Yao, Ling, and Chien Po. There she also had commanding officer who led the soldiers whose name was Li Shang. As Shan-Yu and the Huns prepared to attack China, the Chinese Soldiers marched to defend a mountain village from Shan-Yu, but arrived too late. There they found all imperial armies died. While the Soldiers were grieving, the Huns attacked. Bravely, Mulan confronted Shan Yu and created an avalanche, which covered the Huns and saved the Soldiers from destruction. However, it made Mulan wounded. In treatment her disguising was revealed. It made Shang, Chi Fu and other soldiers surprised. Shang was ordered to kill Mulan, but he spared Mulan’s life for saving him. Finally he and her soldiers left her behind. A disappointed Mulan and Mushu decided to return home, but after seeing the Huns emerging from snow and raced toward the imperial city, they went to the city instead to warn Shang. 33 At the Emperor’s Palace, the Chinese people celebrated the defeat of the Huns. Mulans tried to convince Shang that the Huns were still alive, but he did not believe Mulan anymore. Therefore, she attempted to warn other people. But she was ignored because she was a female. Finally, Shan Yu surprised and kidnapped the Emperor. Mulan asked Yao, Ling and Chien Po to dress as women to easily infiltrate the castle interior by pretending to be concubines. In the end, the Emperor was saved, Mulan defeated Shan-Yu, and the Huns retreated. Although Mulan had saved china, Chi Fu still insulted her. However, The Emperor honored Mulan’s bravery and bowed to her. It made all people followed him to bow to Mulan. The emperor gave her a medal and Shan Yu’s sword to show great honor. In the end, Mulan returned home and gave the gift to her father.

4.2 The Problems Faced by Chinese Women in this Film