Today, the wildly popular 1989 Disney film ensures that most people think of the tale of “The Little Mermaid” as one of triumph, a story of colorful underwater band scenes, daring ocean adventures, and happily ever afters. But the literary fairy tale that loosely inspired the classic movie is a haunting narrative that frequently leaves its readers unsettled, even melancholy. It is often a big surprise to read Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” if you don’t know how different it really is.
Andersen’s mermaid wants to be part of the human world, but unlike her Disney counterpart, she fails to meet the terms of the sea witch’s bargain and dies. Though this conclusion is a far cry from the happy ending most expect, it is in line with traditional folkloric tales of mermaids. The heart of the mermaid’s story is always longing: longing for love, longing for a human soul, longing to be part of a world that seems forever closed to her. Many other creators have taken a crack at revising the mermaid’s tale of longing, ranging from Hayao Miyazaki’s anime Ponyo to Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué’s literary fairy tale “Undine,” with varied tones and takeaways.
Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman do a deep dive into “The Little Mermaid” fairy tale to discuss folkloric and literary tales that inspired the story and what, if anything, it has to do with Andersen’s troubled and complicated life. They also explore how the story has been retold in contemporary times, including but also moving beyond Disney.
The lecture includes prompts for audience interaction.
Cleto and Warman are former instructors of folklore and literature at Ohio State University and co-founders of the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic.
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