The Little Mermaid (1989) Dir. John Musker & Ron Clements

King Triton's Gifts with a Sad Backstory

In The Little Mermaid sequels, King Triton gave Queen Athena and Melody, his beloved wife and precious granddaughter a gift: A music box and a locket. Although the gifts are different, they're both a lot alike in more ways than one.

However, just shortly after he gave them their gifts tragedy struck that tore the royal family apart: Queen Athena's death by pirates and Melody was forced to away from the sea in fear of Morgana. Both times, cruel fate had intervened that resulted in King Triton being separated from his precious loved ones and now the gifts had become a sad reminder of what he had lost.

It was too painful for him to keep them and as a result... he threw them into the ocean to be lost forever.

Until years later, they were found again and once they were, it changed everything and in the end, reunited the royal family once more and healed the sea king's heart.

anti ariel arguements bug me because.. they always boil down to she's just adumb kid who needs to face consquecnes.. and not a victim of angry biggoted father.

. imagine your dad coming to your bedroom and destroying...all your toys/ collectables/ artwork/ all your stuff and just ruinning it.. in a violent rage. or.. he's a bigot and he's angry at you for being gay (the guy who made this movie songs was a gay man btw as well as the orginal guy who made tlm story)

imagine you can't feel safe at home bec of your dads temper.. and then being labeled as the...stupid kid who ran off to the drug dealer down thestreet that should have known better.. and stayed home with your hotheaded father.. who cares if you felt safe.

nah mate triton was a bad dad and that seems to fly right over peoples head that loving your kid doesnt mean you can't be abusive.. and that he was the adult who overreacted and scared off his daughter.. .. ariel was a kid.. who wouldn't feel safe at home.. who didn't feel understood at home. who's dad didnt try to understand her or listen to a word she said. . triton loving his kid doesn't make his abusive behaivor okay nd knowing so many people put ariel down for running away from an abusive house grinds my gears.

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The Little Mermaid (1989)

The covers of each of the books in the twelve-book Little Mermaid novel series that was released in 1994. Here is a link to a site with summaries for each book summary

1993 the little mermaid stickers

The Little Mermaid (1989): Ariel and Eric

Romance in Film Gif Meme: (2/10) Favorite Endings

The Love of a Father

So, the other day, I decided to watch “The Little Mermaid” for the first time in years. While I was watching it, I noticed something.

When Ursula turns Ariel into a human, she does so rather cruelly. At the bottom of the ocean, where Ariel has to escape before she DROWNS.

Yeah, it is a miracle she survived that. When she does reach the surface, Ariel is…well…in her birthday suit. Completely vulnerable and can barely walk.

In my mind, this reflects Ursula’s care, or lack thereof, for Ariel. As viewers know, Ursula only cares for the crown and trident. Ariel is just a means to an end. The only reason she even looks twice at the princess is because she sees the girl as vulnerable. So, Ursula’s magic makes Ariel vulnerable.

Triton, on the other hand, cares deeply for his daughter. One might argue that his goal throughout the entire movie is to keep Ariel safe. She’s precious to him. At the concert at the movie’s beginning, Triton shows only fondness for his youngest. Ironically, when he suspects that Ariel is in love, Triton moves away from the stereotypical overprotective dad and rejoices that his daughter has found someone. 

All he wants is for Ariel to be safe and happy. When he turns her into a human, his magic reflects that. She can walk this time around, since she’s already had practice. However, Ariel isn’t alone this time (I am not including Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle since, let’s be honest, they couldn’t really help her much once she was on land). Prince Eric is right there on the shore, right where he can help her. Plus, the part I tend to focus on most, is the dress Triton gives Ariel.

It’s beautiful. Not only does it reflect the sea she came from, it’s cut in such a way that it won’t hinder her movement. Triton’s taking no chances of his daughter tripping. The gown, as a whole, is fit for a princess and reflects how much he cherishes her.

Even the way that Triton and Ursula’s magic interact with Ariel reflect on them! Ursula’s green magic is clawing, cloying, taking from Ariel. It frightens her.

In direct contrast, Triton’s magic is gently and sweeps up to Ariel like a gentle wave. It only gives and Ariel is ecstatic.

All in all, I applaud the Disney crew’s attention to detail and symbolism. They did a fantastic job illustrating Triton’s fatherly love for his daughter and contrasting it with Ursula’s deceptive cruelty.

Ariels Wedding 🌈💕