MJ#16: Proppian Analysis of The Little Mermaid

A little while back I performed a Jungian analysis on The Little Mermaid.  As a follow up I have now analyzed the story of Ariel as dictated by Vladimir Propp.  I'm surprised at how well the story melds with his structure.

α - alpha - We see Ariel as an adventurous girl who has trouble with keeping up with her responsibilities.

β - beta - Ariel goes off exploring with Flounder in a the remnants of a ship.

γ - gamma - Ariel is forbidden to associate with humans or go to the surface.

δ - delta - Ariel goes to the surface and sees Eric for the first time.  She ends up saving his life.

ε - epsilon - Flotsam and Jetsam discover Ariel's attraction to a human.

ζ - zeta - Flotsam and Jetsam report back to Ursula.

η - eta - Ursula lures Ariel into her lair so that she can initiate her plan to steal her brother's throne.

θ - theta - Ariel falls for Ursula's ploy.  Ursula steals her voice.

A 11 - Ursula casts a spell on Ariel...

B - ...forcing her to leave.  (Humans cannot breathe underwater). - Victimized hero.

↑ - Ariel swims to the surface with the help of Flounder and Sebastian.

D - Eric asks Ariel if she is "the girl."  He recognizes her from when she sang and saved his life.

E - Ariel cannot speak.

F - Eric is disappointed but offers her a place to stay in the palace as well as clothing and food.

G - Ariel travels to the castle of the man she's been searching for.

H - Ariel struggles against Ursula's curse and the time limit restricting her.

J - Eric names Ariel on a romantic evening out.

I - Eric falls in love with Ariel.

K - Ariel is happy to be with Eric and everything seems right in the world.

o - Eric still does not recognize Ariel as the girl that saved him.

L - Ursula comes ashore and claims to be Eric's saviour with Ariel's stolen voice.

M - Ariel must win back her love by revealing Ursula and swimming to the ship where Eric and Ursula's wedding is to take place.

N - With the help of Scuttles, Flounder, and Sebastian, Ariel manages to reveal the witch.

Q - Eric recognizes Ariel as his true saviour.

Ex - Ursula is seen in her true form (Evil Octopus Woman!)

T - Ursula transforms Ariel back into a mermaid.

Pr - Ursula pursues Ariel, using the furies of the ocean against her.

Rs - Eric saves Ariel by spearing Ursula through with a wrecked ship.

U - Ursula is turned into a ghoul or a "poor unfortunate soul."

W - Ariel marries Eric and ascends the throne.  They live "happily ever after."