The Flower that Blooms in Adversity

Mulan was released by the Walt Disney Company in 1998 (IMBD).  The movie begins with a young girl named Mulan who is getting ready to meet the matchmaker.  She is quite clumsy and a bit different then the others and she end up setting the matchmaker on fire.  Feeling useless and a disgrace to her family, she battles with her self expression and where she belongs.  Meanwhile, her limp father is called to war and Mulan refuses to let him go.  During the night, she disguises herself as a man and takes her fathers place in the army.  Mulan does well disguising herself as a man with her trusty sidekick Mushu.  She learns how to be a good warrior and is a noble member admired by many in her war mates.  She is discovered as a woman and is set to be punished by death, but her General Shang spares her life in return for her saving his.  They all return home for they believe the Huns have been defeated and leaving Mulan alone.  They return home and a party is held in their honor for defeating the huns, but Mulan spots Shan Yu popping out of the snow and over hears him planning to storm the palace and rushes to warn the others.  When she finds them, they refuse to believe her and no longer trust her so she sets off on her own to defeat Shan Yu.  Eventually, her friends come around and help her with her plan and Shan Yu is defeated.  The emperor of China is proud of Mulan and gives her Shan Yu's sword and a crest to show her family in honor of saving China.  She returns home and her father greets her with open arms and is glad that she is home and safe.  General Shang shows up at Mulan's house and apologizes to Mulan and asks to stay for dinner.  It would seem that he grew a bit of a crush on Mulan.  The story continues into the next movie; Mulan II.

The featured Princess this week is Mulan!  Although, she is not a princess or even an official Disney princess in Disney's eyes, she is a heroic character and is looked up to by many.

Pros:
- Strong/Determined:  It takes a strong woman to disguise as a man and head off to war on a whim.  It also takes strength to keep up with this disguise.  She is also very determined to help her father and her country and be a good warrior.
- Confident: She takes risk and is confident in her battle skills even though she is a girl.
- Loyal: She is loyal to her family, especially her father, and her squad of warriors. #squadgoals
- Defies Boundaries:  When she doesn't fit the mold that society has placed on her as a woman she focuses on her own strengths and takes charge of her life no matter what society thinks.

Cons:
- Pushy: She doesn't just let a topic go, she wants her way and will have her voice heard whether it is wanted or not.
- Irresponsible/Disobedient: She does disobey her father and her country's wishes, even if it was for good reason.
- Selfish: She put a lot of determination into being a warrior.  If she had put that same determination into meeting the matchmaker she may have done better at it.  She is determined, but for the things she wants to do, not necessarily what she is expected to do.

Let me know what you think!  Comment Below!