In this paper, I will be discussing some elements of the movie The Little Mermaid. I will examine the plot and story, cause and effect relationships, and elements found in the film that are in agreement with Russian linguist Vladmir Propp’s approach to film criticism. The protagonist in the Disney film The Little Mermaid is Arial, a curious young woman mermaid that longs to know more about the human world above water. The plot of the film tells us that her Father, King Triton (the sea king), is the primary caregiver of Ariel. Although there is reference made to when her mother was around, we assume that she died.
Even though we don’t actually see or hear that fact, we come to that conclusion because of the way that the characters portray her. The plot includes Ariel visiting her “sea cave” of human treasures that she has collected. Her prized possession is a life-sized statue of human Prince Eric, whom she had rescued when his ship was caught in a storm. Although Ariel has no idea who he is, she finds herself infatuated with him. This intensifying longing to be above water is much to the chagrin of her Father who believes humans to be “barbarians.” After King Triton discovers the sea cave, he destroys her collection in hopes that Ariel will understand the dangers in associating with humans. Instead, though, she ends up defying her father by making a visit to the sea witch, Ursula.
The result of the visit is that Ariel trades her beautiful voice for human legs for 3 days. In that 3 day period, she must get the prince Eric to fall in love with her and kiss her. If she succeeds, she will get her voice back and remain above water. If not, she belongs to Ursula forever. All of the facts above depict the plot and story and the effects of Ariel’s decision-making throughout the course of the movie. The conclusions of Vladmir Propp’s study of narrative structure align beautifully with the story of The Little Mermaid.
The Essay on The Sea Inside: Film Review
The film The Sea Inside tells the real-life story of an incredible man, who despite spending nearly thirty years paralyzed was able to help and touch the lives of so many. Ramon Sampedro spent his life not asking people to pity his terrible condition, but instead asked for their understanding of his want to end his own life. Ramon saw the struggling relationship between his nephew and father. He ...
There are several functions that apply to this movie. First, Propp says that a member of the family leaves home and that the hero is introduced, which Ariel does when she arrives on land and meets Prince Eric. Then, an interdiction is addressed to the hero. (King Triton warns Ariel: 1. ) Not to ever go near the sea witch and 2.
) To stay away from humans. She does both, despite her fathers orders. ) In doing so, the interdiction is violated and the villain (Ursula) enters the tale. After that, The villain (Ursula) attempts to deceive the victim (Ariel) to take possession of the victim’s belongings (Ariel’s voice) by trying to win the confidence of the victim. (After Ariel asks Ursula how she will be able to communicate with the prince and get him to fall in love with her without her voice, Ursula states {in a song} “You ” ll have your looks… your pretty face…
and don’t underestimate the importance of body language… .” ).
Next, the hero and villain join in direct combat (Just as Prince Eric thinks he is falling in love with Ariel, Ursula takes the form of another human woman and steals his heart away by deceiving him into believing that she was the one who saved him in the storm. ) In the end, the villain (Ursula) is defeated (killed in combat) and a difficult task is proposed to the hero. (Actually in this movie, it is the hero’s father who is faced with the difficult decision of letting Ariel stay on land with her true love or remaining in the sea with her family. ) Finally, the hero is given a new appearance.
(Ariel is transformed back into a human and is in a beautiful, sparkly dress to compliment her new human legs. ) The movie displays a basic cause and effect relationship. There is a cause and effect for every event, as mentioned above.
