The Little Mermaid and Propps Narratives

In this paper, I will be discussing some elements of the movie The Little Mermaid. I will examine the plot and story, cause and effect relationships, and elements found in the film that are in agreement with Russian linguist Vladmir Propp’s approach to film criticism.

The protagonist in the Disney film The Little Mermaid is Arial, a curious young woman mermaid that longs to know more about the human world above water. The plot of the film tells us that her Father, King Triton (the sea king), is the primary caregiver of Ariel. Although there is reference made to when her mother was around, we assume that she died. Even though we don’t actually see or hear that fact, we come to that conclusion because of the way that the characters portray her.
The plot includes Ariel visiting her “sea cave” of human treasures that she has collected. Her prized possession is a life-sized statue of human Prince Eric, whom she had rescued when his ship was caught in a storm. Although Arie...