The Little Mermaid Research Paper

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Recommended: Analysis of ""The Little Mermaid"

“The Little Mermaid” was originally a fairy tale written in 1837 by Hans Christian Andersen that has since inspired several movies adaptations, once of which being “The Little Mermaid” produced by Disney in 1989. Both the movie and book portray a young mermaid that face the tribulations that comes with growing up and her struggle to obtain what she wants most in life, however the mermaid’s ultimate fate and personality is evidently disparate within these two versions. To begin, in Andersen's original story a mermaid lives in a underwater kingdom with her widowed father, grandmother, and five older sisters where the mermaid learns that she must be fifthteen in order to visit the upper world. Soon enough, the mermaid comes of age and decides …show more content…

Ariel spends her time collecting grotto with her companions, Flounder and Sebastian and constantly visits the surface of the ocean with Scuttle, a seagull who offers her very inaccurate knowledge of human culture. Although, one night Ariel decides to travel up to the top of the ocean with Scuttle to watch the birthday celebration of Prince Eric’s birthday and falls in love. However, when a storm strikes, Ariel comes to Eric’s aid and sings to him while leaving him upon the shore. When Eric awakes, he remembers Ariel’s voice and vows to find the woman who saved him. Ariel, blinded by love, sets out to find him, but her plans are foiled when Ariel’s father Triton, the King of the Sea, finds out. He forbids her plans, but just when Ariel is ready to give up two eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, convince her to visit Ursula, an evil sea witch. Taking their advice, Ariel is tricked into making a deal that results in her turning into a human for three days in exchange for her voice. Within those three days, Ariel must win the love of Prince Eric or she will turn back into a mermaid and forever belong to Ursula. Ariel agrees and eventually is found by the prince on the beach who becomes enamoured with Ariel, but is soon hypnotized by Vanessa, a beautiful woman that Ursula has transformed into. However, Scuttle discovers Vanessa’s true identity and informs Ariel, while Sebastian informs Triton. Assisted by her friends, Ariel stops Ursula plan to marry Prince Eric and regains her voice back. Eric then recognizes Ariel, but is too late to kiss her and she turns back into a mermaid and becomes Ursula’s captor. When Triton attempts to save Ariel, he becomes Ursula’s new prisoner, however Prince Eric intervenes and releases both Triton and Ariel from Ursula’s power. Enraged, Ursula grows to monstrous proportions and

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