Unit - 3 - Supplementary - The Story of Mulan
A.
Choose the best answers.
1.
Mulan goes to the battle instead of her father because _________
a.
she wants to be a soldier. b. she was asked to join the army.
c.
her father is old. d. her brother is sick.
2.
What did Mulan do before leaving the house?
a.
took leave from her mother b. cut off her hair
c.
prayed d. made a dress for war
3.
What is the story about?
a.
winning b. friendship c. women empowerment d. motherhood
4.
The Emperor asked Mulan to stay with him in the palace as his ______
a.
wife. b. royal advisor. c. army general. d. friend.
5.
The Emperor gave Mulan __________
a.
six horses and six swords. b. a death sentence. c. gold. d. six camels
6.
How did people of the village react to Mulan after her return from the battle?
a. cheered her b. mocked herc. punished her d.
scolded her
Answer
:
- Mulan goes to the battle instead of her father because
c. her father is old. - What did Mulan do before
leaving the house?
b. cut off her hair - What is the story about?
c. women empowerment - The Emperor asked Mulan to
stay with him in the palace as his
b. royal advisor. - The Emperor gave Mulan
a. six horses and six swords. - How did people of the village
react to Mulan after her return from the battle?
a. cheered her
B.
Identify the character or speaker of the following lines.
1.
I heard about it in town.
2.
I am your son now.
3.
The General is a woman?
4.
Mulan, stay with me in the palace.
5.
You are too kind sire.
Answer
:
- “I heard about it in town.” – Mulan’s Father
- “I am your son now.” – Mulan
- “The General is a woman?” – A soldier
- “Mulan, stay with me in the palace.” – The Emperor
- “You are too kind sire.” – Mulan
C.
Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.
- What was the Emperor’s order?
The Emperor ordered that one man from each family must join the army. - Where did Mulan’s father hear
about the Emperor’s order?
He heard about it in town. - Why couldn't Mulan’s brother
go to war?
Because he was too young to join the army. - Why did Mulan disguise herself
as a man?
She disguised herself to take her father’s place in the army and serve her country. - How did the soldiers become
sick?
A very bad fever swept through the army, making many soldiers sick. - How would she be punished if found guilty?
She would be sentenced to death if found out to be a woman in disguise. - Why did the Emperor give her
fine gifts?
To honor her bravery and show how much he appreciated her service to China. - How did the soldiers come to know about Mulan’s real
identity?
The army doctor discovered her secret when treating her during her illness.
D.
Answer the following questions in a paragraph.
1.
Sketch the character of Mulan.
Mulan
is a courageous, intelligent, and selfless young woman who risked her life for
her family and country. Despite the dangers, she disguised herself as a man to
take her ailing father’s place in the army. Mulan was brave in battles, wise in
strategy, and earned respect through her performance. Her leadership helped
China win the war. Even after the Emperor offered her a royal post, she humbly
chose to return home. Her character shows strength, sacrifice, humility, and
true patriotism, making her a symbol of empowerment and honor.
2.
Do you agree with Mulan’s decision to go to war? Justify.
Yes, I agree with Mulan’s decision to go to war. She made a bold and brave choice to protect her aging father from the hardships of battle. Her actions demonstrate love for family and loyalty to her country. Though she faced the risk of death, she remained determined and proved her worth. Her decision challenged the traditional roles of women and show
_______________________________________
LESSON PLAN
Lesson Plan: The Story of Mulan
Subject: English
Class: 10th Grade
Duration: 45 minutes
Topic: Supplementary Reading - "The Story of Mulan" (An Extract from Charles Lamb's Tales From Shakespeare)
1. Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the teacher aims to help students:
- Understand the concept of legends and their cultural significance
- Analyze themes of courage, sacrifice, and filial duty through narrative
- Develop comprehension skills through story reading and analysis
- Appreciate the historical and cultural context of ancient China
- Recognize the importance of challenging gender stereotypes
- Understand character development and plot structure in storytelling
- Build vocabulary related to warfare, family relationships, and heroism
2. Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Show respect and care for elderly family members and their limitations
- Demonstrate courage when facing difficult situations in their personal lives
- Challenge unfair stereotypes and stand up for what is right
- Take responsibility for their family's wellbeing when needed
- Show leadership qualities by inspiring others through their actions
- Practice selflessness by putting others' needs before their own
- Maintain integrity and stay true to their values even under pressure
- Appreciate sacrifices made by others for their benefit
3. Introduction (5 minutes)
Engaging Questions:
- "Have you ever heard of someone disguising themselves to help their family? What do you think would motivate someone to do this?"
- "What do you know about ancient China? Can you imagine what life was like for families during wartime?"
- "Do you think age or gender should determine what a person can or cannot do? Why or why not?"
- "Have you ever had to make a difficult choice to protect someone you love? How did it feel?"
- "What qualities do you think make a good leader? Are these qualities different for men and women?"
4. Reading and Understanding (8 minutes)
New Vocabulary with Meanings:
| Word | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Legend | A story from long ago believed to be true or mostly true | The legend of Mulan has inspired people for centuries |
| Carving | Act of cutting a shape or pattern into wood or stone | Her father was carving a piece of wood when she arrived |
| Robe | A long, loose outer garment reaching the ankles | She put on her father's robe to disguise herself |
| Kung Fu | Chinese method of fighting using hands and feet without weapons | Her father trained her in Kung Fu for self-defense |
| Might | Great and impressive power or strength | She swung the sword back and forth with might |
| Bowed | Bending the body forward from waist to show respect | Mulan bowed deeply to the Emperor |
| Filial Duty | Respect and care for one's parents and ancestors | Her actions showed great filial duty |
| Disguise | To change appearance to hide one's identity | She disguised herself as a man to join the army |
| General | High-ranking military officer | Mulan became General of the entire army |
5. Mind Map
THE STORY OF MULAN
|
┌─────────────────┼─────────────────┐
│ │ │
THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION THE OUTCOME
│ │ │
┌────┴────┐ ┌────┴────┐ ┌────┴────┐
│ │ │ │ │ │
War in Father Mulan Disguise Victory Emperor's
China too old takes as male in war Recognition
to fight his place soldier
│ │ │ │
One man per Cuts hair Proves War ends
family must Wears herself China saved
join army robe as brave
Takes leader
sword
CHARACTER TRAITS DISPLAYED:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ • Courage • Sacrifice • Loyalty │
│ • Determination • Leadership │
│ • Filial Duty • Selflessness │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
6. Consolidation and Presentation (8 minutes)
Summary of the Lesson:
"The Story of Mulan" is a timeless Chinese legend that tells the tale of a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her elderly father's place in the army. Set during ancient China's wartime, the story begins when the Emperor declares that one man from each family must join the military.
Mulan, seeing her father's frail condition and her young brother's inability to serve, makes the courageous decision to cut her hair, don male clothing, and join the army in her father's place. Despite the enormous risk—discovery would mean death—she prioritizes her family's wellbeing over her own safety.
Through her exceptional military skills, learned from her father's Kung Fu training, Mulan rises through the ranks to become General of the entire army. Her true identity is discovered only when she falls ill with fever, but by then her leadership has proven so effective that even skeptical soldiers support her.
The story culminates in a decisive victory that ends the war and saves China. The Emperor, recognizing her invaluable service, offers her a position as royal adviser, but Mulan chooses to return home to her family, demonstrating that her actions were motivated by love and duty rather than personal ambition.
The legend explores themes of filial piety, gender roles, courage, sacrifice, and the triumph of merit over prejudice.
7. Reinforcement (5 minutes)
Additional Information:
- Historical Context: The legend of Mulan originates from Chinese folklore and has been told for over 1,500 years, first appearing in the "Ballad of Mulan"
- Cultural Significance: The story reflects Chinese values of filial piety (respect for parents) and loyalty to country
- Gender Themes: Mulan challenges traditional gender roles while still honoring family duty, making her a complex cultural figure
- Military Strategy: The story shows how intelligence and strategy can be more important than physical strength in warfare
- Character Arc: Mulan's journey from daughter to soldier to general to daughter again shows complete character development
- Moral Lessons: The story teaches that true heroism comes from sacrifice for others, not personal glory
- Universal Appeal: Despite its Chinese origins, the themes of family duty, courage, and challenging stereotypes resonate globally
8. Evaluation
a) Lower Order Thinking Question (Knowledge/Comprehension)
Question: "Why did Mulan decide to join the army in place of her father, and what did she do to disguise herself?"
Expected Answer: Mulan joined the army because her father was too old and weak to fight, and her brother was too young. To disguise herself, she cut off her long black hair, put on her father's robe, and took his sword to appear as a male soldier.
b) Middle Order Thinking Question (Application/Analysis)
Question: "Analyze the soldiers' conflicting reactions when they discovered Mulan was a woman. What does this reveal about attitudes toward women in leadership during that time?"
Expected Answer: The soldiers had mixed reactions - some felt betrayed and wanted to punish her, while others defended her because of her successful leadership. This reveals that society had strong prejudices against women in military roles, but Mulan's proven competence forced people to reconsider their biases. It shows that merit and results can sometimes overcome social prejudices.
c) Higher Order Thinking Question (Synthesis/Evaluation)
Question: "Evaluate Mulan's decision to return home instead of accepting the Emperor's offer to become a royal adviser. What does this choice reveal about her character and values? How might this decision inspire people today?"
Expected Answer: Mulan's decision shows she was motivated by love for family rather than personal ambition or power. It reveals her humility, loyalty to family, and understanding of what truly matters in life. This choice can inspire people today to prioritize relationships over career advancement, to remember their roots, and to use their talents to serve others rather than just themselves. It shows that true success is measured by how we help those we love, not by the positions we hold.
9. Remedial Teaching
Strategy for Slow Learners:
- Story Mapping: Use visual timelines to show the sequence of events in chronological order
- Character Cards: Create cards showing Mulan's appearance before and after disguise
- Role-Playing: Act out key scenes like the father-daughter conversation and the identity revelation
- Simplified Language: Break down complex sentences into shorter, clearer statements
- Visual Aids: Use pictures or drawings to illustrate ancient Chinese clothing, weapons, and settings
- Repetitive Reading: Read key passages multiple times with different emphases
- Question Prompts: Provide guided questions for each section to check understanding
- Peer Support: Pair slower learners with stronger readers for collaborative reading
10. Writing Activity (8 minutes)
Writing Task: "Write a letter (150-200 words) from Mulan to her father while she is serving in the army. In your letter, include:
- How she is managing her disguise
- Her experiences as a soldier
- Her feelings about being away from home
- Her hopes for the future
- A message of love and reassurance"
Guidelines:
- Write in first person as Mulan
- Use appropriate tone showing both strength and affection
- Include specific details from the story
- Show understanding of the risks and challenges she faces
- End with a personal message that reflects her character
11. Follow-up Activities
Homework Assignment:
- Research Project: Find information about one real historical figure (male or female) who disguised themselves or broke social rules to serve their country or family. Write a paragraph comparing them to Mulan.
Additional Activities:
-
Creative Writing: Write an alternative ending to the story where Mulan accepts the Emperor's offer to become a royal adviser. What challenges might she face?
-
Art Integration: Create a comic strip (6-8 panels) showing the key events of Mulan's story
-
Interview Activity: Interview family members about times they had to make sacrifices for the family. Compare their experiences to Mulan's story
Extended Learning:
-
Drama Performance: Work in groups to perform a short play based on one scene from the story
-
Cultural Exploration: Research other legends from different cultures that feature brave women who challenged social norms
-
Modern Adaptation: Write a modern version of the Mulan story set in today's world - what would be her challenge and how would she solve it?
-
Values Discussion: Organize a class discussion on "When is it right to break rules for a good cause?"
Assessment Criteria:
- Comprehension of plot and characters (25%)
- Understanding of themes and cultural context (20%)
- Vocabulary usage and language skills (20%)
- Creative writing and expression (20%)
- Participation and engagement (15%)
Resources Needed:
- Map of ancient China
- Pictures of traditional Chinese clothing and weapons
- Audio recording for pronunciation guidance
- Chart paper for group activities
- Props for role-playing (scarves, cardboard swords)
- Reference materials on Chinese culture and history
Cross-Curricular Connections:
- History: Ancient Chinese civilization and military history
- Geography: Location of China and understanding of ancient territories
- Social Studies: Gender roles in different cultures and time periods
- Values Education: Family responsibility, courage, and integrity
