The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen sets the blueprint for many inspired mer-tales to come with countless adaptations and retellings. With its vivid imagery, and descriptive details of the colorful world in the deep ocean it’s hard not to get captivated with the world-building. This is the first instance this semester where I get to read in detail about a mermaid’s life underneath the sea, before they start assimilating to life on land. In this famous tale, the little mermaid is not only nameless, but voiceless for most of half of the story. She is infantilized throughout the story, whether it be because of her youth, and or because she has been silenced in trade for a chance of true love and a soul. The prince refers to her as “his little foundling” who dances for him in excruciating pain. He looks down on her again cloaked in affection, loving her “as one loves a dear, good child.” Um, yuck! The infantilization of the little mermaid reflects modern day humans and our view of the natural world. We see nature as things to conquer, as something to contain, as obstacles to subdue, but also simultaneously to look after… almost as if treating nature as a pet. Nature is treated as something separate from ourselves, and The Little Mermaid further supports these ideologies with its themes. The little mermaid similar to Undine and Melusine, does not contain a soul unless wedded to someone who loves them truly. The religious themes continue to be carried in the story, having humans be immortalize because they have a life after death. This implies that there is a heaven for them because of their connection to religion. The little mermaid through actions shows her kindness and good deeds, she literally saves a mortal’s life and decides not to kill him in trade of her own life- yet it still isn’t enough for her to have a soul because of an elemental creature’s disconnect with religion.