The Ballad of Mulan comprises a folklore narrative epic poem lauding the legendary female warrior, Mulan. She is portrayed as a dedicated daughter who voluntarily takes her sickly father's place in the Khan's army. With no brother to shoulder this responsibility, Mulan.....
The Ballad of Mulan - New Pathways - Class 7 - English
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Back Questions - The Ballad of Mulan | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English
Complete the summary of the poem by filling in suitable words or phrases.
Mulan sat .............… and .............… in her room because she was concerned for her father. The previous night there was an order issued by the .............…. Each of the twelve scrolls carried .............… name. He had been asked to join the army as he did not have a .............…. Mulan decided to take his .............…. She bought a … in the East Market; a .............…in the West Market; a ….............…in the South Market and a .............… in the North Market. After leaving her place, she camped on the bank of the .............…. The next evening she arrived at the .............….
The .............… died in the war but after a ten-year battle, they won. On their return, the King rewarded his soldiers at his .............….
Mulan was not interested in the post of a .............…. All she wished for was .............…. Mulan’s parents went to greet her .............…. Her sister .............…… to welcome her while her brother .............…to prepare for the feast. Mulan took off her .............…and dressed like a woman. Her .............… met her at the door. They were surprised because the brave soldier they had known for twelve years was a .............…..
Mulan sat weaving and sighing in her room because she was concerned for her father. The previous night there was an order issued by the Khan. Each of the twelve scrolls carried her father’s name. He had been asked to join the army as he did not have a grown-up son. Mulan decided to take his place. She bought a spirited horse in the East Market; a saddle in the West Market; a bridle in the South Market and a long whip in the North Market. After leaving her place, she camped on the bank of the Yellow River. The next evening she arrived at the Black Mountain.
The Generals died in the war but after a ten-year battle, they won. On their return, the King rewarded his soldiers at his Splendid Hall.
Mulan was not interested in the post of a minister. All she wished for was to return to her home. Mulan’s parents went to greet her outside the wall. Her sister fixed her rouge to welcome her while her brother whet the knife, quick, quick, for pig and sheep to prepare for the feast. Mulan took off her wartime gown and dressed like a woman. Her comrades met her at the door. They were surprised because the brave soldier they had known for twelve years was a girl.
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This poem is a ‘ballad’. Ballads are poems that narrate a story. It is often of folk origin and intended to be sung. Have you heard any other ballads? Talk about it to your class.
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Unlock now 🔓Words such as ‘tsiek tsiek’ imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. These words are called onomatopoeic words. List to more words like this. For example, splash, knock-knock.
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Unlock now 🔓Extra Questions - The Ballad of Mulan | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English
Tsiek tsiek and again tsiek tsiek,
Mulan weaves, facing the door.
You don’t hear the shuttle’s sound,
You only hear Daughter’s sighs.
They ask Daughter who’s in her heart,
They ask Daughter who’s on her mind.
“No one is in Daughter’s heart,
No one is on Daughter’s mind.
Last night I saw the draft posters,
The Khan is calling many troops,
The army list is in twelve scrolls,
On every scroll there’s Father’s name.
Father has no grown-up son,
Mulan has no elder brother.
I want to buy a saddle and horse,
And serve in the army in Father’s place.”
How does Mulan’s emotional state at the beginning of the stanza impact her decision to enlist in her father’s place?
What reasoning does Mulan give for wanting to take her father’s place in the army? Why do you think she feels it’s important that she’s the one to do it?
What does the repetitive “tsiek tsiek” signify in this context? How does its repetition set the tone for this part of the story?
What is the deeper meaning of the statement “No one is on Daughter’s mind,” and how does it influence her further actions in the story?
Considering societal norms of Mulan’s era, what might be the possible risks and challenges for a girl to go to war in place of her father?
Tsiek tsiek and again tsiek tsiek,
Mulan weaves, facing the door.
You don’t hear the shuttle’s sound,
You only hear Daughter’s sighs.
They ask Daughter who’s in her heart,
They ask Daughter who’s on her mind.
“No one is in Daughter’s heart,
No one is on Daughter’s mind.
Last night I saw the draft posters,
The Khan is calling many troops,
The army list is in twelve scrolls,
On every scroll there’s Father’s name.
Father has no grown-up son,
Mulan has no elder brother.
I want to buy a saddle and horse,
And serve in the army in Father’s place.”
How does Mulan’s emotional state at the beginning of the stanza impact her decision to enlist in her father’s place?
What reasoning does Mulan give for wanting to take her father’s place in the army? Why do you think she feels it’s important that she’s the one to do it?
What does the repetitive “tsiek tsiek” signify in this context? How does its repetition set the tone for this part of the story?
What is the deeper meaning of the statement “No one is on Daughter’s mind,” and how does it influence her further actions in the story?
Considering societal norms of Mulan’s era, what might be the possible risks and challenges for a girl to go to war in place of her father?
Mulan’s emotional state at the beginning of the stanza contributes significantly to her decision to enlist in her father’s place. She seems contemplative and melancholy, hinting towards a sense of responsibility and duty, perhaps weighing on her mind heavily.
Mulan’s reasoning for wanting to take her father’s place in the army is due to her father’s name appearing on every scroll of the army list and the fact that there is no male successor in her family who could take up this responsibility. This underlines a strong sense of duty and regard for her father’s safety and honour.
The repetitive “tsiek tsiek” is likely to be the noise the loom shuttle makes as Mulan weaves. Its repetition marks the monotony and dreariness of her present life, possibly amplifying her internal discomfort and the desire to break free from her existing circumstances.
The statement “No one is on Daughter’s mind,” may convey that Mulan is solely focused on her family’s welfare and not distracted by personal desires or thoughts of love. It could also be read as Mulan not wishing to disclose her true feelings due to their potentially controversial nature.
Given that the societal norms during Mulan’s time positioned men in roles of warfare and women in more domestic settings, a girl going to war in place of her father would be fraught with risks, including the danger of being revealed and possibly punished, the physical demands of war, as well intimidation and threat from enemies.
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In the East Market she buys a spirited horse,
In the West Market she buys a saddle,
In the South Market she buys a bridle,
In the North Market she buys a long whip.
At dawn she takes leave of Father and Mother,
In the evening camps on the Yellow
River’s bank.
She doesn’t hear the sound of Father and
Mother calling,
She only hears the Yellow River’s flowing water
cry tsien tsien.
How does the use of directional markers (East, West, South, North) in the poem enhance your understanding of Mulan’s actions and determination?
Why doesn’t Mulan hear the calling of her parents, but only the sound of the Yellow River? What might this symbolize about her focus or state of mind?
The Yellow River’s flowing water is personified to be crying “tsien tsien”, what can you infer about the mood or atmosphere at this point of the narrative from this metaphor?
How does the poet convey the passage of time in this stanza, and what effects does this technique create?
Considering Mulan’s purchases and her decision to leave her parents, how would you characterize her at this point in the poem? Provide evidence from the poem to support your answer.
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Unlock now 🔓Summary - The Ballad of Mulan | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English
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Themes - The Ballad of Mulan | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English
1. Gender Roles and Identity:
The Ballad strongly critiques traditional gender roles by making the female protagonist imitate a man to participate in the war. This shakes up the conditioned expectations of male valour and female fragility. Additionally, her surprise reveal ......
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Unlock now 🔓Symbols - The Ballad of Mulan | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English
1. Mulan's Horse: The horse is considered a critical symbol, representing not only the journey Mulan undertakes but also her power and independence. The act of buying the horse, the saddle, the bridle, and the whip from different markets can symbolize her careful .......
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Unlock now 🔓Poetic Devices - The Ballad of Mulan | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English
1. Repetition: In the Ballad, Mulan’s weaving is described with the repeated phrase, "tsiek tsiek," to build a rhythmic pattern. The recurring descriptions .....
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