The Hero's Journey: An Analysis
Western and nonwestern heroes come from different regions of the world; therefore, have different cultural backgrounds. More specifically, western heroes come from the Greco-Roman or Judeo-Christian traditions. Nonwestern heroes come from other parts of the world that would not associate with these traditions. While these heroes might seem to have little in common when it comes to origin, “The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell demonstrates that all heroes have “similar patterns” (Campbell). However by examining the non-western hero, Mulan, in “The Ballad of Mulan” demonstrates how this figure is different than the hero outlined in Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” in the following ways, Mulan does not have any kind of “supernatural aid”, “tests that lead to the final showdown”, or a “life-changing experience for her or many others” (Campbell). “The Ballad of Mulan” comes from the fifth or sixth century. It was written in a time when China was divided between the north and the south (Hamby). If Mulan actually existed, she would have lived during the Northern Wei dynasty. She joined the army and prepared to
…show more content…
In the “Ballad of Mulan”, Mulan seems to just go back to her previous life without the intentions of ever revisiting that part of her life. For example, “I take off my wartime gown And put on my old-time clothes.” (Franklin lines 51-52). By Mulan putting back on her old-time clothes it symbolizes how she is returning to her role as a woman in society. To the outside world, it is almost as if she had never gone to war to begin with. So, “The Hero’s Journey” seems to indicate that there is this huge change within the heroic figure once they have achieved this goal; however, this is not the case in “The Ballad of Mulan” because Mulan doesn’t seem to be changed throughout her
In the “Ballad of Mulan”, Mulan seems to just go back to her previous life without the intentions of ever revisiting that part of her life. For example, “I take off my wartime gown And put on my old-time clothes.” (Franklin lines 51-52). By Mulan putting back on her old-time clothes it symbolizes how she is returning to her role as a woman in society. To the outside world, it is almost as if she had never gone to war to begin with. So, “The Hero’s Journey” seems to indicate that there is this huge change within the heroic figure once they have achieved this goal; however, this is not the case in “The Ballad of Mulan” because Mulan doesn’t seem to be changed throughout her