In reading “The Little Mermaid”, one might be prompted to feel sympathy and occasional astonishment. The Little Mermaid is a mythical and inhuman creature. She has an otherworldly aura, while at the same time, being a curious young girl. Her struggle to gain mutual feelings of love from the Prince prompts the reader to feel sympathy, maybe even frustration, as she has sacrificed so much while a gloom fate awaits her. Leaving her family, losing her voice, feeling physical pain, and ultimately losing the one she loves, “The Little Mermaid” is filled with tragedy. 

This exists within the Disney adaptation as well, but much less so. Ariel suffers less than her written counterpart, and is able to be with the Prince she sacrificed for. She is followed to land by friends, who are sea creatures reminiscent of home and able to guide her. Musical dance and sing breaks lighten the mood, and Ariel is not shown to be in any physical pain with her newly-gifted legs. She struggles through a brief encounter with Ursula, but it amounts for only a small portion of the movie before she defeats her and is reunited with Prince Eric. 

Both versions of “The Little Mermaid” are easily recognizable and contain many of the same themes, but the Disney version is, unexpectedly, much more lighthearted.

As a child, I could often be found spending my time doing two things: digging for bugs in the garden or reading a book. Being relatively introverted, I enjoyed occupying myself with activities that allowed me to be in my own little world. As I have grown, this has remained the same. While I cannot say I enjoy digging for bugs as much as I once did, reading books and being outside have remained two of my favorite pastimes. 

Throughout my life, I have flip flopped between what I want to do. Teacher, journalist, veterinarian, audiologist; I have spent many years indecisive. Nothing felt truly right. I desired an amalgamation of my two loves, but how could I combine digging for bugs and reading? For a while, I denied these passions. In a world that is dying, why would I study something so painful? I tried to focus on other things, and ignore my desire to go back to what made me happiest. But, as many know, you can only do this for so long. 

The summer leading to my sophomore year, I had a crisis. I did not like what I was studying, and I was setting myself up to be in a career I would not enjoy. I completely changed my set course, and switched into the field I am in now. A true incorporation of my childhood passions and comfort, I have found what I want to do.