Hidden identity
In short: A motif in which a character conceals who they are from the people around them.
Motif
How does it work in the tale?
Ndabaga and Mulan each go to war in their father’s place. Ndabaga explains her decision to the king. Mulan’s companions discover who she is after she returns home. The two scenes differ in who learns the truth and when.
Who is surprised when the disguise ends?
In the Ballad of Mulan, her companions serve alongside her for years. Back home, Mulan puts on her old clothes and surprises them. Readers already know who took her father’s place. The reveal shows how the companions’ understanding changes after years of shared experience.