PAPER

Alicia Kjergaard

Professor Dempster

World Literature

12 December 2013

The Little Mermaid

            The Little Mermaid is known for being a beloved Disney story adored by young girls across America. This happy ending version that the world has come to love is not the original, which has hopeful elements but is primarily dark in tone. The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Andersen, deals with mortality versus immortality and the power of love and sacrifice. The little mermaid, wishing to have an eternal soul, makes a deal with the sea witch. In exchange for her voice, she is given legs. Every time the little mermaid takes a step, it feels as though knives are slicing through the soles of her feet. She must gain the love of the prince and marry him before he marries another. If the little mermaid does not succeed in getting the prince’s love, she will dissolve into the sea. Shortly before the prince and his wife are about to consummate their marriage, the little mermaid’s sisters bring a knife. In a last attempt to save the little mermaid her sisters cut off their hair and made a second deal with the sea witch: If the little mermaid kills the prince, she will gain an eternal soul. The little mermaid truly loves the prince and is unable to kill him. In the end, however, she does gain an immortal soul because of her great effort in attaining one. She has become a daughter of the air. Through good deeds, the little mermaid will eventually be able to rise into the kingdom of God. The little mermaid shows great courage, sacrifice, and loyalty in her handling of the situation with the prince even though the ending is less than optimal when held to today’s standards.

This story closely reflects the experiences of Hans Andersen: Growing up in Odense, Denmark, a poor community, Andersen desired to take his inheritance and forge a new life for himself in the world of art. Lady inmates at the Odense Hospital told Andersen folk-tales which became the starting point for his later work. He began his work between two worlds, between the oral narrative tradition and the new blossoming culture of books and authors. When Andersen left his home in 1819 as a fourteen year old boy, he made an attempt to become successful in the world of theater (Odense had been one of a few cities with a theater). This attempt proved to be in vain and Andersen was sent to school to see if something couldn't be mad out of him. He faired unsuccessful in the world to which he thought he belonged but was not yet accepted in the world to which he was being thrown. This experience mirrors the little mermaid as she does not feel that she fits in with her ocean world and desires to be accepted by the human world. As Andersen learns from his push into the academic world and develops the skills needed to successfully author his tales, the little mermaid develops her character through her difficult time on earth, heartbreak, and death.

During the 1800s, Denmark underwent major territorial changes which were offset by the increasing prosperity throughout the country. Agriculture became the country’s focus and emigration became prominent as other European countries struggled for food. This time period had a spirit of innovation which also furthered their agricultural endeavors. The country did not have religious freedom until the Constitution of 1849 and The Little Mermaid was written in 1836. The little mermaid's desire to leave home and chase after an immortal soul reflects this lack of religious freedom as well as the trend in emigration to Denmark in a time of prosperity.

            Another mermaid tail can be found in the ever popular Arabian Nights. The theme which ties these two stories is loyalty. The little mermaid is loyal or true to herself and to the prince while the mermaid in “Abdullah the Fisherman and Abdullah the Merman” is loyal to Allah.  Abdullah the Fisherman comes upon trouble feeding his family. The local baker sees his trouble and offers Abdullah an endless loan of bread and silver pieces until Abdullah's luck turns around and he is able to repay the loan. Abdullah quickly becomes too ashamed to see the baker because he is still not catching fish at sea. One day, Abdullah catches what appears to be a human. He discovers that this man is a merman. This merman looks exactly like a human with the exception of being able to breath under water. The merman offers to help Abdullah by bringing him, in exchange for a basket full of fruit, pearls and jewels with which he can repay the baker. When the king saw the riches of Abdullah, he made him a Wazir in order to ensure that Abdullah's new-found wealth would stay within the kingdom. One day, as Abdullah is walking back from the shore, he notices that the baker is not in his shop. When he questions a neighbor, Abdullah discovers that the baker is sick. The baker was afraid to remain in business after Abdullah of the land had been initially accused of thievery by the king. When Abdullah of the land relays these concerns to the King, the baker is made the King's second Wazir. "Quoth the King, "What is his name?"; and quoth the fisherman "His name is Abdullah the Baker; and my name is Abdullah of the Land and that of my friend the Merman Abdullah of the Sea." Rejoined the King, "And my name also is Abdullah; and the servants of Allah are all brethren. So send and fetch thy friend the baker, that I may make him my Wazir of the left.” The merman asks that Abdullah of the Land make the journey to Allah's grave and give his salutations and ask that the merman be spared from the Fire. The merman then convinces Abdullah to use an ointment, which gives him the ability to also breathe underwater, so that he may thank Abdullah the Fisherman with a meal in his underwater home. When Abdullah of the land reveals that humans grieve and cry over their dead, the merman suddenly takes back his gift and exclaims that he cannot trust a people who do not rejoice when Allah takes what is his. Though the story ends abruptly, it reiterates the focus of merpeople - the afterlife and the pleasing of Allah.

            In conclusion, both stories share the theme of remaining loyal to that which is important. They both bring to their stories a stronger sense of reality which is not found in the watered-down Disney version. Life is difficult – deciding what is important and remaining loyal is important. Much of our culture in America today has veered from valuing loyalty. Social media and technology have  trained us to want the next and best thing. It is good to revisit traditional tales such as The Little Mermaid to remind ourselves of the character traits that make us better people.