Before reading Roald Dahl’s version of the Little Red Riding Hood, I could have never pictured this version of the “sweet and innocent” little girl that is typically portraited in media. I loved how she wasn’t given the typical treatment that young girls usually have, instead, she had agency. My jaw physically dropped open when I read that she pulled a “pistol from her knickers”. Flipping the typical script to have Little Red Riding Hood as a cold-blooded killer completely shocked me. Instead of a man rescuing her, or barely being able to slip away from the wolf, she was walking around with a wolf-skin coat and pistol underneath. The imagery of this is incredible. No longer wearing her iconic red hood but instead covered in the skin of the animal that ate her grandmother. I don’t think this tale will elicit the same reactions within every reader. Some may prefer the classic Grimm or Calvino stories, but I think the revenge in this version is so satisfying to read.

I believe both versions of The Little Mermaid—written and the Disney adaptation—attempt to elicit the same feeling toward the main character. Both want us to root for the little mermaid as she tries to be with the prince, be frustrated when things go wrong, and have sympathy for her when she seems to be losing him. In the movie adaptation, Ariel’s persistence, Ursula’s trickery, and the scenes of Ariel crying prompt these feelings. In the written version, these feelings are similarly elicited through the princess’s persistence through the pain she feels when on land and the ultimate loss of the prince. 

Despite the similarities between the two stories, I have different feelings towards each version of the little mermaid. In the written version, the princess is much more passive to me despite her active role as the protagonist. She is not given a name in this version and repeatedly described as quiet, silent, and thoughtful. Even in the beginning, when she could speak, she did not leave a strong impression on me. On the other hand, Ariel is strong, standing up to her father and exploring dangerous ships. Albeit, she does become more passive as she loses her voice.

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.