Do you like The Little Mermaid...?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

I finally figured out a working concept for a love story I've been trying to rewrite since I was, like, 16...and it kinda accidentally-on-purpose vaguely resembles the story of the Little Mermaid. ^^ So I figured I'd try and gauge what people like about the old fairy tale, and see if I might try to enhance that resemblance anywhere.

So, if you like The Little Mermaid, what aspect of it do you appreciate the most? The sad ending of the original tale? The sweet ending of the Disney version(s)? The symbolism of the mermaid/Ariel, and her longing...?

I'm not much of a fairy tale fan myself (I like the fairy tale 'aesthetic', but I don't actually care much for the stories themselves), however...I guess if I had to pick something, I think the idea of having to adapt and transform yourself to fit into the world of the one you love is kind of interesting. It's definitely one of those universal themes that makes for a good "timeless" story.

[Skyy]

Being honest I love both versions but I prefer the Grimm fairy tale one. My personal preference is darker stuff but both stories have good aspects. I love about the Grimm fairy tales that it doesn't try to be kid friendly and is gruesome but still has the overlaying theme. With the Disney interpretation they kept the same theme but changed it to be more kid friendly.

[NickRowler]

Knowing the history of the original story, I think it's more interesting as it being a gay unrequited love allegory.

As for the Disney film. The animation is good and the songs are iconic. But I don't much care for the story.

[BoomerZ]

I think the Disney version is fantastic. The story is universal about wanting to be something you're not, to be with someone. The original ending was very dark, and not a Grimm story at all as she becomes something higher for choosing that path. But you can work the story however you want. Disney needed a happen ending, so they made a happy ending.

[LunarScyphozoa]

Grimm fairy tale one

Not to be that guy or anything, but The Little Mermaid was written by Hans Christian Anderson, not either of the Grimm brothers.
The Disney version is fine, I don’t have many strong opinions on it. Don’t care too much for the story, not a big fan of the art of it (most Disney movies from the same era are gorgeous, so idk what isn’t clicking), but Ursula cancels all of that out.
The original is still my favorite though, I love the atmosphere of it if you can call it that, and the fact that a story written in the 19th century based around a metaphor for being queer ends with a promise that the hero will get a happy ending, maybe not anytime soon, maybe not for centuries, but she will one day always makes me emotional.
Also, mandatory Ponyo mention. It barely counts as an adaptation, but it’s so good, dammit!

[cherrystark]

Tbh The Little Mermaid isn't my favorite. It's a tragedy. I love fairytale retellings/adaptations and even when it's reworked to have a happy ending, it always feels super contrived because the author tends to lean hard into the feminist girl boss angle. But if you want to tell a story about a mermaid falling in love with a human, tell your own story. I have a story where a guy rescues a mermaid from a traveling circus freak show. There's some fate mates in there but he decides to break up with her because neither of them can sacrifice their entire life to go live with the other. It's sad and beautiful. I have another Little Mermaid inspired WIP where the mermaid and the prince are enemies. I'm not stuck sticking to the fairytale story structure so it makes it more fun to write.

[Tubacabra]

I'd just like to point out that The Little Mermaid was written as Hans Christian Anderson's attempt to steal another man's wife. Not kosher, imo.

So, to answer your question, I like neither one.

[Aeneas1]

The original story is far superior to that Disney tosh. I admit I was brought up on Disney's versions of stories before being brought to the light of knowledge and truth, and having read the Little Mermaid, I think the Christian symbolism in the original is removed in Disney's version. Believe me, there are far more faithful adaptations out there, notable ones being the 1975 film and the film the Russians made in the 1960s. Admittedly, Disney's is not the first to create an animal companion for the heroine - the '75 film got there first. PS. Andersen wasn’t gay, he was bi and that’s not the same thing.

[kyupol]

Yes because she looks like my OC.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

I have a story where a guy rescues a mermaid from a traveling circus freak show. There's some fate mates in there but he decides to break up with her because neither of them can sacrifice their entire life to go live with the other. It's sad and beautiful. I have another Little Mermaid inspired WIP where the mermaid and the prince are enemies. I'm not stuck sticking to the fairytale story structure so it makes it more fun to write.

Those both sound pretty interesting....you really can't go wrong with switching roles and motivations around. ^^

The story I'm working on is more like a complete inversion; the "mermaid" and "prince" get together without too much hassle and spend most of the story as a couple; it's only near the end that the "mermaid" discovers that her presence is actually threatening the life of her "prince", and has to sacrifice their relationship (and her existence) in order to save him.

So yeah, it's hardly beholden to the real tale(s)...but I wouldn't mind adding more mutated concepts as I continue to flesh out the story. For example, just the other day I added a character that basically fused Disney's Ursula and Triton into one: the "mermaid's" father, who claims that all those rumors about curses and whatnot are just made-up stories; he assures her that it's perfectly safe for her and her boyfriend to stay together until it's way too late...because he's a possessive bastard who just wants to get back at her for leaving home. ^^; Simple, but effective. And a lot of fun; I can't wait to design him~

[simplykit]

I wanna marry Ariel when i grow up and have sebastian sing under the sea and kiss the girl to our mermaid kids everyday !!! does that answer your question?

but first i have to come up with a plan to get rid of that pretty boy prince something, mind control works, so ill take not of that weakness