Text-Dependent Questions for The Ballad of Mulan – Character Analysis of Mulan (Third Reading)
Thoughts
 What is the main reason Mulan decided to join the
Emperor's troops? What does that tell you about
her character?
 What knowledge helped Mulan endure the
hardships?
 The Emperor wanted to shower gifts on Mulan.
What did Mulan think about his offer?
 According to Mulan, why did the other warriors not
figure out that she was a woman?
Actions
 Why did Mulan buy the horse, saddle, bridle, and
whip from different markets?
 Why is it important that Mulan dressed in armor
before riding out with the troops? Would she have
been allowed to fight as a woman?
 What did Mulan ask the Emperor for? What does
this tell you about her character? What does this tell
you about her feelings?
 How did Mulan react to being home again?
Feelings
 At the beginning of the story, why was Mulan
troubled?
 "She thought she heard her mother calling her
name. But it was only the sound of the river crying."
What does this tell you about how Mulan is feeling?
 "In the darkness she longed to hear Father's voice,
but heard only the neighing of enemy horses far
away." Has her mood changed? How do you know?
 "After ten years, she returned as a great general,
triumphant and victorious." What is Mulan's mood
now?
 How did Mulan’s feelings change throughout the
story?
What Others Thought
 How did Mulan gain the respect of the warriors,
Emperor, and people?
 Why did the Emperor summon Mulan to the palace?
 How did the Emperor respond to Mulan’s request?
 How did the people in the village react to Mulan’s
return home?
 How did her parents feel about Mulan’s
accomplishments? What about her brother and
sister?
 What do we remember about Mulan?