MJ#7: The Little Mermaid: A Jungian Analysis

DREAMER--Ariel.  A bubbly, adventurous, outgoing, hopeful, lovestruck lass surrounded by loving friends and family members.

SHADOW--Ursula/Vanessa.  Envious Ursula wallows in her own misery and forces others to do what she wants such as her 'pets' Flotsom and Jetsom.  She is miserable and alone, the complete opposite of the Little Mermaid.  She takes on Ariel's form and voice as Vanessa, linking them even closer.


POSITIVE ANIMUS--Flounder.  Flounder embodies the fear that Ariel doesn't show.  He contrasts to Ariel's 'we'll worry later' attitude.  He helps her on her journey.

NEGATIVE ANIMUS--Triton.  Stern, rash, and close-minded, Triton forces Ariel on her journey through a lack of understanding for Ariel's obsession with the human world.  As royalty, he represents what Ariel is supposed to be.

SELF--Ariel's voice.  Ariel's mighty melodic vocal cords are a force she's always had but doesn't appreciate until she has to earn them back.



DREAMER--Triton.

SHADOW--Eric.  Kind, understanding, willing to accept new things.  Also royalty, but much less stern than the Mer-king.

NEGATIVE ANIMA--Ursula.  As Triton's sister, she successfully destroys his life by tricking his daughter and stealing his crown.  Ursula's cold demeanor brings out Triton's compassionate side.

SELF--The Trident.  The object that commands power over the sea and the mer-people.  As ruler of the ocean, it rightfully embodies Triton's authority and will.  For example, when the Trident is in the hands of Ursula, he withers away into a polyp.



DREAMER--Scuttle.  A scatterbrained seagull that likes to give Ariel 'advice,' obsessed with the human world.  A freelancer.

SHADOW--Sebastian.  Logical, unwilling to break the rules, protecting, smooth, likes to have a plan in mind.  Obsessed with the mer-world.

POSITIVE ANIMA/US--Max (Eric's dog).  Helps Scuttle to gather up the creatures of the sea to fight Vanessa.  Playful and loyal.

SELF--His ruffled up feathers.  Seriously, they're sticking all over the place, just like his personality.  One moment he's offering Ariel a fork as a comb, then he's singing (badly), and then he's undergoing the tremendous task of taking out the most powerful Sea Witch.