The story reinforces the theme of creating one’s identity in spite of societal expectations. By being true to herself, Mulan is able to bring honor to her family by breaking free of the restrictions set by traditions. She gains the acceptance of her fellow soldiers, the emperor, the country, but most importantly of herself. Mulan questioning of her own identity leads her on a journey under the guise of a man thinking this would enable her to shine. This was doomed to fail since it was under the pretense of a lie. Even after saving her companions, they ostracized her upon discovering her true identity. When she saves the emperor at the end, she did it as neither girl nor boy, but as herself. While today’s society has progressed greatly since ancient China, people are still fixated on gender identity. People debate and argue as to what defines gender. Lost among this rhetoric is what defines the individual. A person is not great because they are specified by society as a man or a woman; greatness happens when the individual stands apart above everyone else. 

While widely accepted as a Disney Princess even by the Disney Corporation, Mulan is not actually a princess. Her parents are neither King or Queen nor does she marry a prince. It is by her virtue alone that makes her a Disney Princess. Disney’s Mulan is a classic tale where a young female protagonist breaks traditional norms by joining the Chinese army in place of her father who is too old and weak to fight. She has to set her own path to bring honor to her family risking her life should she be found to be a girl. A fate not as deplorable as a life unled bounded by tradition and gender roles. That is why Mulan would rather pick up a sword than be the most beautiful bride in the world. The theme of individualism centers around the hero’s belief that her female identity should not confine her to achieving honor only through marriage. Mulan has to be true to herself and create her own path to honor instead of adhering to traditional norms of a woman in ancient China. 

Finding oneself can be very difficult when society already has expectations of individuals. Mulan stares at her reflection in the waters and asks herself, “Why is my reflections someone I don’t know?” (Disney 48) While she recognizes her own physical appearance in the waters, it is what is inside that is different. The reflection in the water sympbolizes the traditional woman meaning daughter, wife, girl. This is something that she does not agree with completely because she has her own beliefs as to what a girl can be. Mulan continues to contemplate her own identity and further explores her options. “When will my reflection show who I am inside?” (Disney 49) She has tried to do what society has expected of her. She wants to bring honor to her family the way her parents instructed her to. Ultimately, she fails to meet their expectations. She understands that she cannot continue on the path set forth for her by others, but she must follow her own path.  This idea supports the theme because the journey of self discovery must be taken by oneself. It will be impossible to be true to oneself if all one does is listen to others. If this continues, Mulan’s reflection will never be her own.