Throughout the course of time, authors have been inspired by different sources of iconic literature. Whether it be “the Bible” or an American classic, “the Giver,” writers have found their guides through the work of others. The common source of inspiration has caused an upward trend in certain genres, uplifting many along the way. Although authors are influences by different muses, Hans Christian Andersen’s original work, “The Little Mermaid”, has become an afflatus to authors whom created versions close to his work.
The story of “The Littler Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen begins with Ariel, daughter of the Sea King, the youngest of six children. She was the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye amongst the sisters and had “skin as clear …show more content…
The first being that the character derives from a deity genealogy or royalty. In this instance, the young mermaid is in line with the Sea King, being his daughter. The use of some form of unnatural enhancement is also prevalent. The young mermaid is given a water than allows her mermaid tail to morph into human feet. Moreover, unseen innuendos not caught by the average young individual can also be seen. The sexual awakening of the young mermaid is seen through the use of placing a statue of the young prince in her garden, showing her heterosexual desires (Andersen). As Fraser states on page 252 in “Reading and retelling girls across cultures: mermaid tales in Japanese and English,” “Andersen’s mermaid embodies girl consciousness in her free and arrogant refusal of her mermaid body and her demand for the power to enjoy access to the land and an eternal sol from a patriarchal God.” (Fraser,252) Another example of this is seen throughout the relationship the young mermaid the price part-take in. She is mute and behaves as some sort of slave to the prince in order to gain his affection and complete her task at hand. This shows the oppressive nature of the story that can interpreted in a different light through the eyes of young children. Lastly, a common motif in fairytales, especially “The Little Mermaid,” is the exploration of human weakness. The young mermaid knows that the world above is mysterious and requires some caution, perhaps the reason behind the required age of fifteen to head to the shore. She explores her interest in the young prince and carries on with her “love” leading her emotions. As Easterlin states on page 270 in “Hans Christian Andersen’s Fish Out of Water,” “like all children, she doesn’t understand the nature of desire, nor does she understand that everything has costs” (Easterlin,270). The young mermaid
The story of “The Littler Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen begins with Ariel, daughter of the Sea King, the youngest of six children. She was the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye amongst the sisters and had “skin as clear …show more content…
The first being that the character derives from a deity genealogy or royalty. In this instance, the young mermaid is in line with the Sea King, being his daughter. The use of some form of unnatural enhancement is also prevalent. The young mermaid is given a water than allows her mermaid tail to morph into human feet. Moreover, unseen innuendos not caught by the average young individual can also be seen. The sexual awakening of the young mermaid is seen through the use of placing a statue of the young prince in her garden, showing her heterosexual desires (Andersen). As Fraser states on page 252 in “Reading and retelling girls across cultures: mermaid tales in Japanese and English,” “Andersen’s mermaid embodies girl consciousness in her free and arrogant refusal of her mermaid body and her demand for the power to enjoy access to the land and an eternal sol from a patriarchal God.” (Fraser,252) Another example of this is seen throughout the relationship the young mermaid the price part-take in. She is mute and behaves as some sort of slave to the prince in order to gain his affection and complete her task at hand. This shows the oppressive nature of the story that can interpreted in a different light through the eyes of young children. Lastly, a common motif in fairytales, especially “The Little Mermaid,” is the exploration of human weakness. The young mermaid knows that the world above is mysterious and requires some caution, perhaps the reason behind the required age of fifteen to head to the shore. She explores her interest in the young prince and carries on with her “love” leading her emotions. As Easterlin states on page 270 in “Hans Christian Andersen’s Fish Out of Water,” “like all children, she doesn’t understand the nature of desire, nor does she understand that everything has costs” (Easterlin,270). The young mermaid