The Little Mermaid is a beloved Disney movie that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. However, what many people may not know is that the movie is based on a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. In this article, we will explore the original story that inspired the Disney classic and how it differs from the movie.
The Fairy Tale That Inspired The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. The story follows the adventures of a young mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and makes a deal with a sea witch to become human and win his love. However, the deal comes with a steep price, and the mermaid must sacrifice her voice and endure excruciating pain to win the prince’s heart.
Andersen’s fairy tale is a cautionary tale that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of making deals with dark forces. The mermaid’s desire to be with the prince is so strong that she is willing to give up everything she knows and loves to be with him. However, the price she pays for her transformation is steep, and she must endure great physical and emotional pain.
Differences Between the Fairy Tale and the Movie
While The Little Mermaid movie is based on the fairy tale, there are several key differences between the two. For one, the Disney movie has a happy ending, with Ariel and Prince Eric falling in love and living happily ever after. In contrast, the fairy tale has a much darker ending, with the mermaid sacrificing her life for the prince and ultimately turning into sea foam.
Another major difference between the fairy tale and the movie is the portrayal of the sea witch. In the fairy tale, the sea witch is portrayed as a villainous character who is motivated by greed and a desire for power. In the movie, Ursula is a more complex character who is motivated by a desire for revenge against King Triton. This difference in portrayal adds depth to the character and makes her more relatable to the audience.
The portrayal of Ariel is also different in the fairy tale and the movie. In the fairy tale, the mermaid is a more passive character who is willing to endure pain and sacrifice for the prince’s love. In contrast, the movie portrays Ariel as a more independent and proactive character who takes action to pursue her dreams. This difference in portrayal reflects the changing attitudes towards women in society and how they are depicted in media.
Themes Explored in the Fairy Tale
The Little Mermaid fairy tale explores several themes that are not present in the Disney movie. One of the most prominent themes is the danger of making deals with dark forces. The mermaid makes a deal with the sea witch to become human and win the prince’s love, but the deal comes with a steep price. The mermaid must sacrifice her voice and endure excruciating pain to become human, and in the end, she still does not win the prince’s love. This theme highlights the consequences of making deals with unknown entities and the potential dangers that come with it.
Another theme explored in the fairy tale is the idea of sacrifice for love. The mermaid is willing to endure pain and sacrifice her life for the prince’s love, even though he does not return her feelings. This theme is present in the Disney movie as well, but it is not explored to the same extent as it is in the fairy tale. This theme explores the idea of unconditional love and the sacrifices that people are willing to make for it.
The fairy tale also explores the idea of the mermaid’s soul and the afterlife. When mermaids die, they turn into sea foam and cease to exist. The mermaid in the story is aware of this fate and is willing to accept it for the chance to be with the prince. This theme explores the idea of mortality and the afterlife, and how people are willing to accept their fate for the chance at happiness.
In addition, the fairy tale also explores the idea of transformation and the consequences of change. The mermaid transforms into a human to be with the prince, but in doing so, she loses her voice and her identity as a mermaid. The transformation also comes with great pain and suffering, emphasizing the idea that change is not always easy or desirable. This theme explores the idea of transformation and how it can come with both positive and negative consequences.
Conclusion
The Little Mermaid is a beloved Disney movie that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. However, the movie is based on a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of making deals with dark forces. While the Disney movie has a more lighthearted and optimistic tone, the fairy tale has a much darker ending and explores themes that are not present in the movie. Despite the differences between the two, both the fairy tale and the movie have captured the imaginations of audiences around the world and have become beloved classics in their own right.
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