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Most people know of Disney's The Little Mermaid but not many know the original author of this amazing tale. Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Little Mermaid in 1837. Compared to Disney's version, Andersen's version was a bit more graphic and less happy ever after.

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In removing some of the elements of Andersen's original story, Disney is pushing forth a false narrative and mirroring a false reality for it's viewers.

Some of the people who watch Disney movies are younger kids who will take what they learn from movies and apply it to real life. However, how can they take the life lessons in this film and apply it to real life when the real world is completely different than the one mentioned in the story?

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By thoroughly examining both Disney's film and Andersen's orignal tale, I will look through the differences and come up with a reasoning behind by certain things were omitted. I believe that Disney removed those elements because it does not align with their trademark of happy ever afters especially since they have a predominately younger audience.

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A reason for the difference in plot could be due to the time difference.

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Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid was written in 1837
Disney's The Little Mermaid came out in 1989

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Due to a whole century difference, a lot of things can change and this applied to stories as well. As the tale is passed on, parts of the tale can be adapted for a specific audience. Disney must've decided to update the original tale so it can align with modern society. In doing so, they purposefully create a utopia and a false reality.

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Going in chronological order, the first difference we see is that Andersen's tale has an essential character, the grandma. This character is absent in Disney's version. The grandma helps fuels the Little Mermaid's ambition in the original tale and is one of the reasons why the mermaid chose to give up her legs.

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The second difference is that in the original tale, there was a specific piece of information that the mermaid's legs felt like she was walking on knives when she had legs. This detail had been completely left out in Disney's adaptation because it may have been deemed too graphic for it's younger audience.
- she cut off her tongue instead of losing her voice

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The third difference is that in Disney's tale, they added something that the original tale did not have. The sea witch, Ursula, actually turned herself into a human being in order to compete with the little mermaid and steal the prince from her. This is an excellent addition to the story and it helps richen the plot, however, I'm confused as to why they added this piece in.
- research why there's an antagonist in fairytale

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This is important because there are lots of stories out there that does the same thing. Fairy tales are not meant to be told one way and everyone has the right to enhance and adapt the fairy tale any way they wish. However, in doing so, they take away from the original message of the tale and make create negative messages and takes away the idea of a fairy tale.

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Currently, some scholars also agree that some fairy tales create a false reality as well as push forward negative and false stereotypes. This can be harmful for children who are using movies and fairytales as a learning resource and guide because they are learning the wrong things.

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Amanda Leduc mentions disabilities in fairy tales and The Little Mermaid is the perfect example of that. The Little Mermaid pushes forward this idea that in order to be beautiful and loved, one has to have an amazing build and body with perfectly working legs. This is harmful to anyone who has abilities because it will make them believe that they do not deserve a happy ending and love which is completely false. Everyone deserved happiness and love despite what they look like, who they are.