Finally, “Once Upon a Time” has introduced a new folk tale this season! I thought we would be watching Peter Pan forever. But no, they graced us with “The Little Mermaid” in the latest episode. Who didn’t love Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” when they were kids? For many young girls, it was their favorite Disney film. Personally, “Sleeping Beauty” was my top pick, but “The Little Mermaid” was a close second. Unfortunately, Hans Christian Andersen’s original story isn’t as cheerful. Unlike the Disney version, Andersen’s tale doesn’t end with the mermaid marrying her prince. He ends up meeting a neighboring princess and falls in love with her instead. The mermaid has the chance to kill the prince to become a mermaid again, but she spares his life and sacrifices hers. In an attempt at a happier ending, Andersen has her become a “daughter of the air,” meaning she gains a soul and lives on for eternity. Still, it doesn’t quite make up for the tragic ending.
Many believe this tale reflects Andersen’s interest in change and mutability. The mermaid is curious about life outside the water even before she sees the prince. She is willing to give up everything, even her life, to experience the human world. Andersen doesn’t make it easy for her. She loses her tongue in exchange for legs, and each step feels like “stepping on piercing needles and sharp knives.” Andersen himself admitted that this was the only character that truly moved him emotionally as he wrote her story.
So why does he put her through so much pain? He claims it’s for moral reasons. Her love for the prince is secondary to her desire for a soul. After enduring great pain, she gains a soul independently, without the prince’s love. Unlike other mermaid stories of the time, Andersen’s mermaid doesn’t rely on the love of a human to gain an immortal soul. She has autonomy in this matter.
Jack Zipes, in “Hans Christian Andersen: The Misunderstood Storyteller,” points out that “The Little Mermaid” isn’t just about Christian values like obedience and salvation. From a feminist perspective, it’s a story about suppressing a young woman’s sexual curiosity. Jackie Wullschlager, author of “Hans Christian Andersen: The Life of a Storyteller,” agrees that the tale is sentimental, misogynistic, and moralizing. She argues that Andersen appears to enjoy the mermaid’s suffering and presents ideals of female behavior as self-sacrifice, silence, and expiation.
The story can be seen as reflecting the oppressive and painful female ideals of the time, written by a misogynist. Wullschlager compares it to other folk tales like “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow White,” and “Rapunzel,” which also deal with young girls coming to terms with their sexuality. In the end, Andersen’s mermaid rejects physical life to become a pure “daughter of the air,” almost resembling a Madonna figure.
Disney takes a different route with Ariel. She embraces otherness, and the movie celebrates her curiosity rather than silencing it. Ariel is a spunky heroine, unlike Andersen’s mermaid. She sacrifices her voice and fins for the love of a man, but this act can be seen as overcoming xenophobia and celebrating curiosity. Ariel pursues the prince against her father’s wishes, resulting in a mixed marriage, an acceptance of the other.
However, Virginia Borges suggests that the tale is not as feminist as it seems. Ariel initially appears to defy her father and pursue her dream, but the underlying message is less feminist. Borges argues that Ariel’s story is about a young mermaid who gets what she wants by being persistent and silent, needing to channel her sexual desires and suffer for a man before winning him as a prize. The Disney movie confines Ariel in a different way than Andersen did; while Andersen emphasizes chastity, Disney encourages premature sexuality.
This week’s episode of “Once Upon a Time” aligns more with Disney’s version of the tale. It raises the question of which version is worse for young girls: the one with brutally repressed sexuality or the one encouraging sexuality and adult decisions. Growing up, many wanted to be like Ariel, but it’s important to consider the values and desires being promoted. Do you want your young children chasing such adult dreams?
Borges argues that Andersen’s story is more honest, valuing the mermaid’s soul above her sexual capabilities. The Disney version, with its bright colors and catchy tunes, can be seen as more insidious, subtly influencing young audiences.
“The Little Mermaid” resonates because it reflects a universal desire to love and be loved. As the mermaid’s grandmother tells her, only if a human loves you more than anyone else will you gain a soul and share human happiness. This idea of ultimate love is something many desire.
That’s all for today. Tune in next week for more on Behind the Folk Tale! What are your thoughts on this week’s episode of “Once Upon a Time”? Feel free to share below.
