Originally posted by Achilles.

Mermaids aren't a race, they're a species.

I don't think I'd say she hated her species, though. She was just so damn curious about humankind and she wanted to be where the people are and ask them questions about why fire burns. Is that so wrong?


Disney meant for her character to be a bit feminist. She represents woman entering society in multiple ways (Ariel literally enters human society, and there's the symbolism of "finding her voice"). Critics like to argue that she only became human for Eric (which is anti-feminist!!1!), but her entire "Part of Your World" sequence was motivated entirely by her interest in human civilization. Ursula made Ariel's humanity conditional on Eric falling in love with her, which is probably some allegory about patriarchal society forcing girls into marriages in order to be enter society.

Originally posted by Achilles.

Mermaids aren't a race, they're a species.

I don't think I'd say she hated her species, though. She was just so damn curious about humankind and she wanted to be where the people are and ask them questions about why fire burns. Is that so wrong?


Disney meant for her character to be a bit feminist. She represents woman entering society in multiple ways (Ariel literally enters human society, and there's the symbolism of "finding her voice"). Critics like to argue that she only became human for Eric (which is anti-feminist!!1!), but her entire "Part of Your World" sequence was motivated entirely by her interest in human civilization. Ursula made Ariel's humanity conditional on Eric falling in love with her, which is probably some allegory about patriarchal society forcing girls into marriages in order to be enter society.

Originally posted by Achilles.

Mermaids aren't a race, they're a species.

I don't think I'd say she hated her species, though. She was just so damn curious about humankind and she wanted to be where the people are and ask them questions about why fire burns. Is that so wrong?


Disney meant for her character to be a bit feminist. She represents woman entering society in multiple ways (Ariel literally enters human society, and there's the symbolism of "finding her voice"). Critics like to argue that she only became human for Eric (which is anti-feminist!!1!), but her entire "Part of Your World" sequence was motivated entirely by her interest in human civilization. Ursula made Ariel's humanity conditional on Eric falling in love with her, which is probably some allegory about patriarchal society forcing girls into marriages in order to be enter society.

Originally posted by Achilles.

Mermaids aren't a race, they're a species.

I don't think I'd say she hated her species, though. She was just so damn curious about humankind and she wanted to be where the people are and ask them questions about why fire burns. Is that so wrong?


Disney meant for her character to be a bit feminist. She represents woman entering society in multiple ways (Ariel literally enters human society, and there's the symbolism of "finding her voice"). Critics like to argue that she only became human for Eric (which is anti-feminist!!1!), but her entire "Part of Your World" sequence was motivated entirely by her interest in human civilization. Ursula made Ariel's humanity conditional on Eric falling in love with her, which is probably some allegory about patriarchal society forcing girls into marriages in order to be enter society.