MIgratIon

By Yasmeena Sulaiman

In light of the release of Disney’s live-action remake of their classic animated film, The Little Mermaid (dir. Marshall, 1989), I want to revisit the original film in a different context. Many people love the animated movie to this day and, having watched it again as an adult, I believe the magic of the story has endured. When the topic of The Little Mermaid comes up, it usually revolves around conversations on identity, female empowerment, transformation, happily-ever-after, and coming-of-age themes. However, I want to look at the theme of migration in the film, as I think there is compelling evidence to suggest that the narrative can be viewed in such a light.

For those who may not be familiar with the story, or those who may need a refresher, The Little Mermaid follows the tale of Ariel, a young mermaid and the daughter of the mighty King Triton, ruler of the seas. Forbidden from making contact with the human world, the rebellious Ariel frequently explores shipwrecks and collects trinkets, which she then stores in a hidden cavern. When Ariel comes across the ship of Prince Eric, who loves the ocean and relishes being out at sea, she is immediately infatuated with him. After saving him from drowning when a terrible storm causes his ship to wreck, she sings him back to consciousness and he becomes enthralled by the voice of his saviour, but is unable to recall her face. When King Triton discovers what Ariel has done, he destroys her cavern full of trinkets to force her to understand that there must not be be no contact between her and the human world. Devastated, she turns to the wicked sea witch Ursula, who ensnares her into a terrible bargain: Ariel must give up her voice in exchange for three days as a human. If she can obtain a true love’s kiss by the third day, Ariel will remain a human forever and regain her voice. Ultimately, Ariel and Eric defeat Ursula. King Triton grants Ariel her human legs, and they live happily ever after.

The stark differentiation between the human and ocean worlds is the most obvious reference to how The Little Mermaid can be viewed as a story about migration. King Triton has strict rules prohibiting contact between the surface and ocean worlds, between humans and the merfolk. Despite these restrictions,

Ariel is passionate and curious about humans, and regardless of King Triton’s attempts to exercise his power, even he cannot prevent the two to differentiate between the two is also telling. A fear of the unknown dominates King Triton’s rhetoric about humans, for he views their treatment of the sea creatures as a direct reflection of their world and values. He makes extreme generalisations about the culture and beliefs of humans. The same can be said about the humans, who mythologise the merpeople and view them with trepidation, as told by the sailors in the film’s opening song. This parallels our own tendencies to “other” different races, cultures, and countries, relying on fear-driven conclusions to navigate our worldviews. It is not until the two worlds interact that a clearer understanding of each other can be achieved. It takes the kindred spirits of Ariel and Eric, both fascinated with one another’s worlds, to bridge them with acceptance and love. worlds from interacting. This contact is like that between our cities, countries, and people; the boundaries between these can feel impenetrable, but there are always fissures to be found. In our modern society, globalisation has connected us all in ways we could never have imagined, not only through social media, but even in the clothes and trinkets we buy and the media we import: crossover is inevitable. The language used

The film goes out of its way to highlight Ariel’s love for all things human. She gleans so much about humans in finding their trinkets on the ocean floor, falling in love with a world she knows only through wreckage. Although she has never directly interacted with humanity before, her appreciation for their creations helps her believe that their world cannot be the evil, horrible place her father claims it to be. Ariel’s values of empathy and curiosity are beautiful lessons to breathe in. Sometimes, exercising such values can take more strength than the inherent distrust and paranoia displayed by Triton. Through saving Prince Eric, Ariel permanently breaks the boundaries between their worlds, as she is no longer an archaeologist or voyeur but can now join the human world through him.

Thrust into the human world as a mute young woman with shaky legs, Ariel approaches her task with the same reckless passion with which she scavenges shipwrecks. Her disbelief that she could become a human makes her affection for their world all the more charming, as it comes from a place of purity and wonder. She is steadfast in her dream of becoming part of this world and making her migration permanent. Eric does not recognise her without her voice, but his court takes her in as an assumed shipwreck survivor.

Ariel’s lack of knowledge of the customs of the humans becomes immediately apparent during a meal, as she mistakenly uses a fork as a brush, and a tobacco pipe as a musical instrument. Realising that Scuttle (a seagull and her informant on all things human) has misinformed her, Ariel is embarrassed. But Eric and his court are enormously kind about her faux pas, finding humour in the situation. Ariel adapts to her surroundings through observations and mistakes, diving headfirst into the human world as Eric shows her around his home. In one sequence, Ariel leads Eric around his village, enabling her to look at, and touch, anything she desires. Her naivety means she is unabashed in joining the townsfolk in their dancing, not at all discouraged by her lack of experience. Ariel is vibrant and joyous, and Eric is utterly enamoured by how she interacts with the world and its inhabitants. Despite being from two different worlds, they have fun together and can connect without verbal communication.

The film’s finale sees Ariel losing the bargain and turning back into a mermaid. Triton intervenes and offers up his crown and soul in exchange for Ariel’s safety and release from Ursula. Eric intervenes whilst holding his breath to throw a harpoon at Ursula and help Ariel stop her. Eric and Ariel save one another and they eventually defeat Ursula. Eric delivers the final blow, steering a ship into Ursula and impaling her. His willingness to risk his life to protect Ariel gains him the trust of King Triton, who bestows upon Ariel a bargain-less pair of legs. Triton’s change of heart is bittersweet, as he knows he is losing his daughter, but understands that this loss will assist her in finding happiness.. He sees the authenticity of Ariel’s passion and love for the human world, and Eric proves that he is just as devoted to her and her world, as well as being able to take care of the most precious piece of Triton’s heart.

One of the film’s final shots shows the merfolk and humans together celebrating the marriage of Ariel and Eric, and thus the union between their worlds. It implies that land and sea are no longer hostile towards one another, but connected through love and acceptance. Eric and Ariel cannot be with one another without their two worlds interacting and making contact. Although a straightforward and not very complex story, the characters and themes of The Little Mermaid are nuanced and timeless. The film is enjoyed by people at many stages of life because it is a wholesome reminder of the most valuable and important lessons we have learned as a civilisation: connection, love, passion, curiosity, excitement, and acceptance can transcend barriers between worlds and are invaluable for the type of migration Ariel takes part in—the kind that involves a willing and deliberate immersion of oneself in a new environment.