The 1989 Little Mermaid exhibits a trait shared by many of the classic Disney Princess movies. Ariel must be exceptional to be the main character; she must outshine the other female characters– her sisters, and certainly the female villain. Belle must be contrasted against Gaston’s three admirers. Cinderella must be contrasted against her stepsisters and stepmother, even Tiana, in 2009 The Princess and the Frog must stand out against her silly blond best friend.
I’m not sure what this trope means– the systematic elimination of competition from stories centering on young women– and Hans Christen Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, though removed by time and genre, is no exception. His little mermaid is “the prettiest of them all” (108) and separated by her quiet and thoughtful nature, and her disinterest in collecting shipwreck treasures.
However, I was struck by a key role given to her sisters, and associated young women.
When the little mermaid loses track of her prince after rescuing him from the shipwreck, her sisters come to her aid;
“At length she could resist no longer, and opened her heart to one of her sisters, from whom all the others immediately learned her secret, though they told it to no one else, except to a couple of other mermaids, who divulged it to nobody, except to their most intimate friends. One of these happened to know who the prince was.” (116)
Besides being comedy gold, complete with subversions of expectations, tone shifts, and a rule of three– this passage struck me as surprisingly respectful to the institution of gossip as a critical information network among women. Although it could have been treated as inconsequential, or used as a parable warning against the dangers of secrets or gossip– it is a key vector in the plot, connecting the little mermaid to her lost love.
Wonderful focus on gossip in this text. I like to see you start here and then develop an argument about why this focus matters… as I think it does. What does it tell us about monsters, women, storytelling, etc.?
Gale I love that you focus on this. I was actually thinking of you as I read the gossip train happening in this story. I like your point: “the institution of gossip as a critical information network among women”. I love that you constitute gossip as an institution, because for women who had no ability for an outside life it was an institution. One of the few things keeping their lives, well, interesting. You’re right, it may be the first respectful form of gossip we have seen yet. One that does not bring bad news but actually helps the story in a positive way.
HELLO GALE!!! Thank you for bringing up such a comedic but powerful part of the story. Gossip is typically look down upon as silly exchanges between women who have “nothing better to talk about”, but really it’s an important tool of communication for women that keeps us informed about the outside world. When you think about it, the Salem Witch Trials started because of gossip! It isn’t to be looked over.
Hi Gale!
I found that quote in the text so funny and I like that you made it your focus on your post. Gossiping, while can be viewed negatively, is truly a huge form on connection between people. Especially for the girls in the story who are limited to the underwater entertainment.
The connection with similar interests can form into nice relationships within each other, creating a safe space for discussion. I think that’s really important in a community.
HELLO GALE!!! Thank you for bringing up such a comedic but powerful part of the story. Gossip is typically look down upon as silly exchanges between women who have “nothing better to talk about”, but really it’s an important tool of communication for women that keeps us informed about the outside world. When you think about it, the Salem Witch Trials started because of gossip! It isn’t to be looked over.
EDIT: I juast realized I posted without my name, oops!