In Andersen's story, the mermaid is motivated by her desire for an immortal soul, not a desire for love and life on land. When the mermaid saves a drowning human prince, she learns that the love of a human might allow her an immortal soul. The mermaid decides to venture onto land, but her legs come at a price.

What is the real story behind The Little Mermaid?

While the original tale was likely influenced by folklore about mermaids and sirens, scholars have speculated that "The Little Mermaid" was also inspired by the author's own life, as some events in the story parallel his experiences with navigating family pressures, discovering his true identity, and pursuing love.

Was the original Little Mermaid a dark story?

The original story behind The Little Mermaid

In Hans Christian Andersen's original story, things don't end so rosily. In fact, the story is tragic throughout, with Ariel's transformation to human causing her constant agonising pain, before her heart is broken when her prince marries someone else.

What is the original story of the mermaid?

The original story, written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, differs from the Disney version in many ways. For example, in the original story, the mermaid does not have a name, and she does not have a happy ending. She sacrifices herself for the prince, but she dissolves into sea foam instead of becoming a spirit.

Is Little Mermaid a Grimm story?

“Folk tales” are traditional stories, collected and documented by people such as the Brothers GrimmX in Germany, or by the Norwegian team Asbjørnsen and MoeXX who did similar work in Norway. No. It is an original story for children written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published in 1837.

What Happened to Princess Ariel? 32 Mermaid DIYs for LOL OMG

Was Ariel's mother a human?

What is the darkest Disney story?

Although The Hunchback of Notre Dame is already considered Disney's darkest animation for its themes of sin and lust, the original novel by Victor Hugo looms with despair persistently.

Where is the original Little mermaid story based?

In Denmark, there is a little mermaid statue that is meant to represent the heritage of the story. Since Hans Christian Andersen was Danish, it is widely theorized that the fairy tale was set around Denmark.

Which Disney princess has the darkest story?

What is the real version of Little Mermaid?

Although Disney opted to make it a love story, this very much not the plot of the original story as written by Hans Christian Andersen. In fact, in 1837, the author of the Danish tale published Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid), a story that is very different from the one retold by the animation studio.

Was The Little Mermaid originally white?

1. The little mermaid in the book was white. Here is how Hans Christian Andersen described the little mermaid: “They were six lovely girls, but the youngest was the most beautiful of them all.

What happened to Ariel's mom?

Ariel's Mother Had a Brutal Disney Death

Athena took too long to try and escape (going back for a music box she'd gotten for her husband as a gift), and she ends up crushed between the pirate ship and the rocks of the cove. Ariel's mother is far from the only material figure in Disney Animation to die.

Why did Disney change The Little Mermaid story?

Disney rewrites this to allow Ariel and Eric to marry and live a happy life together, making it into a love story and providing a much more satisfying and child-appropriate ending than the tragedy of the fairytale.

Why was The Little Mermaid statue vandalized?

That instance came just a couple of weeks after Russia launched its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Denmark has been a firm supporter of Ukraine in the war. In that instance, police considered the vandalism to be politically motivated, TV2 Kosmopol reported at the time.

Are sirens and mermaids the same thing?

What's the difference between a mermaid and a siren? This isn't a trick question, but a conundrum that can occur when describing certain mythical creatures. Sirens are usually deadly creatures associated with enchanting melodies, whereas mermaids or merpeople are not threatening on the whole.

How do mermaids breathe in water?

Mermaids are especially adapted to breathing under water. They have special sets of lungs that draw oxygen from water. They must have gills like fish. In theory of course.

What are the weaknesses of a mermaid?

Dehydration - Should a merman or mermaid stay out of water for too long, then they will dehydrate. Pollution - Pollution can make merpeople ill. Loss of Objects - If someone takes their object, then the mermaid or mermen will remain bound to that person unless they recover it. Fire - Fire can burn up merpeople.

How does the real story of The Little Mermaid end?

In Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, the title character's story ends much differently. After being given the dagger by her sisters, Ariel is unable to kill Eric and dives into the sea knowing that she will be transformed into sea foam.

What is the dark story of Rapunzel?

The story of "Rapunzel" is based on the tragic life of Saint Barbara, who is thought to have lived in the third century. The true story of Rapunzel is thought to be about a young woman in Italy named Barbara who was so beautiful that her father locked her away in a tower so no men could get to her.

What is the dark and original story of Cinderella?

But do you know what the original story was like? If you thought the story started the same as Disney made it, then you are right! Cinderella's mother dies and then her father marries her evil stepmother, adding her and Cinderella's evil stepsisters to the family. Lucky for Cinderella, her father doesn't die.

What movie almost ruined Disney?

The Black Cauldron (Disney, July 1985)

It had quite a turbulent history and almost killed off Disney animation entirely.

What Disney movie was almost deleted?

Toy Story 2 almost got deleted from Pixar's servers, but a new mom who worked from home saved the film.

What is the scariest movie Disney made?

The Black Cauldron (1985) Of Disney's animated films, The Black Cauldron just might be the scariest (which is probably why it gets less attention than more kid-friendly fare like The Little Mermaid or Frozen).

Why is Ursula not a mermaid?

Betrayed and developing great hate against the human and her father, Ursula decided she no longer wanted to be a mermaid and used her father's trident to transform her fishtail into tentacles, becoming the Sea Witch.