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Snow White is depicted as a timid, young girl, nave towards the dangers that threaten her. Once her evil stepmother sends a huntsman to kill Snow White her fate is in the hands of a man, much like the power in the world at that time. Since Snow White was made there has been many changes in the way women are treated, they have much more power and autonomy, and this is visible in Mulan. Instead of following the rules of society Mulan opposes and challenges them. .
It is hard to imagine Snow White resisting society's regulations. Snow White represents the submissive women before the feminist revolution and agrees to keep the house, cook, make beds, wash, sew and keep everything neat and tidy. She illustrated that the place for women was in the house, instilled in the domestic expectations of domesticity for women in society. Mulan does none of the kind. She instead charges off to join the army in the place of her father and takes her life in her own hands, rather than sitting around dreaming of romance. In this sense Mulan is a true liberated heroine, she is independent of anyone else, and makes decisions on her own.
Mulan is far more complex than most Disney heroines; she has personal flaws, which make her easier to relate to than other characters. These flaws are ones such as outspokenness and hubris, which could cost her honour and the future of her family, given the restraints of Chinese culture. Mulan also achieves nearly everything on her own. Although Mushu (a dragon sent to help Mulan) provides her with self-confidence and companionship he is no fairy godmother. All these things argue that Mulan's character does subvert the traditional idea of a heroine but there are also arguments that she still identifies with male authority instead of seeking her own empowerment. This can be recognised at the end when Mulan is offered a place in the emperor's council, but refuses and instead decides to return home.