She persists and shows the reader her will to break free from the ordinary and become a powerful combatant and not a weak housewife. Therefore, by giving this young girl the ability to shape her own destiny in an overwhelmingly opposite world, the author shows that perseverance and willpower can prevail. .
The protagonist goes through a rite of passage during the mountain test sequence when she is left in the wild to fend for herself. The Woman Warrior compares herself to a ghost, "We will be so happy when I come back to the valley, healthy and strong and not a ghost" (Kingston 39). In Asian legends, a ghost is a hollow and incomplete entity that wishes to carry out its mission. Her mission is to become a respected and renowned soldier. The Woman Warrior proves her great determination and daring power as she struggles for her own survival. When her quest is nearing its completion, The Woman Warrior becomes enlightened. Enlightenment in Buddhism is when a person becomes in tune with himself (herself) and his (her) surroundings. In completing her ultimate task, she is whole and she completes herself. She says, "Why can't I go down there now and help them? I"ll run away with the two boys and we"ll hide in the caves" (Kingston 40). This reassures the reader that she is physically stronger than she has ever been. Psychologically, The Woman Warrior demonstrates higher might since she is now able to see higher truths such as the dragon and the age of the old couple. Her quest molds her sturdy personality. However, with her newfound valor, The Woman Warrior enters a paradoxical world where she still feels insecure about herself. Her insecurity is shown through her fear of her period and when she sees a warrior betrayed in the water.
The dragon that The Woman Warrior encounters symbolizes the role women hold in society, it shows the reader how women are powerless against the monstrosities the world throws at them.