BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lin, Grace. 2020. Mulan: Before the Sword. New York: Disney Press. ISBN: 978-1368020336.
PLOT SUMMARY
Mulan sets out on a journey with the Jade Rabbit to save him and his sister Xiu from the White Fox’s lethal bite. The only cure for death by hupo poison is to “drink a decoction of Dragon Beard Grass and a freshly picked blossom of the Essence of Heavenly Majesty” (44) before the night of the new moon (47). Having his immortal powers destroyed by hupo poison, Mulan volunteers to help the Jade Rabbit get to Kunlun Mountain to pluck the purple flower from the garden of the Queen Mother of the West, the Queen of all Immortals.
Sure that if Xiu survives, the prophecy of one of the Hua Sisters saving the emperor will come to pass, the White Fox follows Mulan and the Jade Rabbit on their journey, sabotaging and slowing them down with storms, bees, canyons, fog, sea monsters, and good old-fashioned stealing of the Jade Rabbit’s Dragon Beard Grass. The White Fox poses as Daji and almost fools Mulan. Halfway through the journey, however, Daji’s selfishness is exposed when Mulan cries for her help when in peril and Daji does not come. Already displeased with Daji, Mulan realizes she is the White Fox after linking the honey Daji so persistently offers Mulan to Jade Rabbit’s ancient story about the scholar.
With the help of an Immortal on probation, Lu Ting-Pin and his peach wood sword, Mulan and the Jade Rabbit make headway and reach Green Island to replace the lost Dragon Beard Grass stolen by the White Fox. Once there, they realize not a strand of Dragon Beard Grass grows on the island. By intuition and a little help from the Queen Mother herself, Mulan figures out the problem. After reuniting long lost lovers, the island’s peaceful spirit is restored. They pull the Dragon Beard Grass and head to Kunlun Mountain.
After finding and releasing her warrior strength, impaling Daji’s sea beast, and the White Fox herself, Mulan still doubts she is a great warrior and the one that will fulfill the prophecy of saving the emperor. That is another story. This one ends with her identifying the Essence of Heavenly Majesty in the Queen’s expansive garden and serving the life-saving decoction to the Jade Rabbit in the nick of time, as well as saving Xiu.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
After Mulan’s epic journey, it is no wonder she would take her father’s place as a soldier in the Ballad of Mulan or even the Disney movie. Having associated with Immortals and even defeated one makes any human affair look like a piece of cake. Although exposing her supernatural strength, Lin affords Mulan enough doubt about being a “mighty warrior” at the end of Before the Sword that she can step right into her role in the Ballad of Mulan without issue. Mulan acts more out of self-preservation in Lin’s narrative than as someone aware of her strength. Despite her bravery and resolve to get ingredients for the decoction that will save Xiu’s life, at the forefront of her mind is always the fear of bringing dishonor to her family and ancestors by her rash actions.
Mulan is not proper like Xiu, or many of the other girls in her tulou. To Xiu she is daring, to her mother stubborn, disobedient, and clumsy. Although not explicitly stated, the look her father gives Mulan is likely because despite loving her for being different he fears she will not be able to marry as she is not what is expected of Chinese girls in her time period. Despite feeling like a disappointment to her family, Mulan is loved more than the Unwanted Girl, Xianniang. Her family’s love is what keep Mulan from falling into Daji’s temptations and press forward tenaciously despite her obstacles.
Regarding the malice of the White and Red fox demons… Xianniang’s character is worthy of empathy. She is starving for love and acceptance, and, is young enough for Daji to manipulate her so she could use her half-Immortal powers. Xianninang loves her youngest bother Bouyue and begins to regret her decision and resent the White Fox for her heartlessness. Daji personifies the traditional evil incarnate archetype. No motivation is given for the White Fox’s unrelenting cunning nature. Especially after Lin adds to the original Daji’s transgressions another empress’ habit of starting wars for entertainment (Author’s Note), Daji becomes wicked beyond contemporary comprehension. Given the time frame for the novel and the concept of demons as evil beings meant to be shunned in both Western and Chinese culture, it makes sense that Daji would be one-dimensional. By abolishing 10,000 “noxious beasts and demons,” (237) Lu Ting-Pin serves his penance while ridding the world of evil. However, it would have elevated the novel to grant Daji at least one positive human characteristic, instead of revenge driving her intentions to interfere in the Hua sisters prophecy.
Lin’s use of heroic language, adoption of mythology, and her legendary protagonist support traditional values of Chinese culture. So much engulfs this origin story of a Chinese legend, and Lin wastes no time explaining Mulan’s world. In her prologue, within the first sentence Lin lets both native and non-native readers know this is a special setting where beings are able to transform into spiders to strike young maidens with a deadly bite is possible. Readers discover the ancient world of the Eight Mighty Immortals with the same shock, wonder, and grief as Mulan. Before the novel is given a set timeframe of around 1100 BC, after the death of Emperor Zhou (191, Authors Note), readers get a sense of the epic setting beforehand through Jade Rabbit’s stories, keeping track of years in the thousands, and their travel by foot, horseback, ship, and even cloud. Technology is not only absent but unfathomable: Immortals rely on the power of nature for their super powers.
Because of the timeline, Lin’s characters do not meet anyone outside the Chinese culture, but characters both in the ancient world and Mulan’s interact with people (or animals) from other villages and islands. Readers experience a variety of landscapes and hospitalities along their journey to the infinite splendor of Kunlun Mountain.
Mulan: Before the Sword is a pleasure for Disney fans, as well as for those more versed in the traditional Ballad of Mulan. Like an Immortal, Lin unleashes her writing talents paired with her insights into Chinese culture to create an epic for this century. Natives will be glad to read a book that portrays epic characters they have grown up with while non-natives will wonder how much is Lin’s imagination and how much is Chinese mythology and Taoist religious philosophy passed down for thousands of years. Both audiences will be enthralled to find out if Mulan, like Odysseus, will come out a heroine at the end.
AWARDS 2021
Kids’ Book Choice Awards, Nominee
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Kirkus Review: “As usual, Lin artfully develops captivating characters with rich histories. Traditional tales are interspersed throughout the tightly written narrative to gradually reveal a complex web of legends and adventure that seamlessly blend together into one alluring saga.”
From Booklist: “Exciting action, humor, and warm-heartedness course through the narrative for a spirited, uplifting read.”
CONNECTIONS
Visit Grace Lin’s website to browse her other books and activities to go with them, as well as videos from the author.
For reader’s who want to dig deeper: Kwok, Man-Ho. 1991. The Eight Immortals of Taoism: Legends and Fables of Popular Taoism. Reading a summary on the Immortals prior to reading the novel is recommended. YouTube user Hakka Moi does a basic but thorough explanation of the 8 IMMORTALS.
This Britannica article gives historical background regarding Emperor Zhou, concubine Daji, his suicide and fall of the Shang Dynasty in 1046 BC.
Wu, Faye-Lynn. 2019. Mulan: The Legend of the Woman Warrior. A picture book that narrates the Ballad of Mulan, the sequel to Lin’s novel. With own voice author and illustrator.
Keller, Tae. When You Trap A Tiger. 2021 Newberry Medal Winner. Korean folktale. Lily uncovers a family secret that means she may have to fight a magical tiger.
Barnhill, Kelly. 2016. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. 2017 Newbery Medal Winner. “An epic fantasy about a young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, who must unlock the powerful magic buried deep inside her.”
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