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Lauren Syverson
Kendra Parker
English 113- The Wonderful World of Disney
23 April 2015

Essay #4- The Little Mermaid and Rape Culture

One winter evening in December of 2014, I watched my best friend experience

the most traumatic and life changing event of her life. Coming home from the library late
at night, I found her in the corner of her room, sobbing hysterically. This beautiful and
innocent, eighteen year old girl, was raped by her ex boyfriend. With tears streaming
down her face, she kept repeating, I didnt want to do it. Her high moral and Christian
values convicted her as she suffered from self guilt and blaming. Unfortunately, there was
nothing I could say or do to comfort my beautiful friend, to make up for or protect her
from the assault that she experienced. Through her recovery process, I stayed by her side
and witnessed second hand the very real elements that arise from after being raped.
Through this, I realized how real and horrendous rape was and, more importantly, how
my friend was now a number adding to the many other people in the world that have been
through a similar experience. This problem, I then discovered, is much more prevalent
and a bigger issue than I thought. After watching the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid,
I saw similar aspects of the movie that can be a metaphor for different elements of sexual
assault. In the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid, can be a metaphor for rape culture

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The shark attack in the Little Mermaid can represent rape attacks on victims who
are too nave to see the danger in potentially harmful situations. Arielle and Flounder, in
the beginning of the film, are attacked by a shark when exploring a shipwreck. Arielle
and Flounder swim around the shipwreck, curious about life above the ocean floor and
gathers human materials to learn about their way of life. The viewers know that this
adventure is dangerous because of flounder says, lets get out of here, when they first
arrive at the shipwreck. As a sixteen year old mermaid, Arielle is very curious and excited
to learn about new things, but still is at the age where she does not fully evaluate or
understand the consequences for her actions. During their exploration, Arielle skips out
on her musical daybeu debut to the mermaid colony, which her father is king of. Arielles
curiosity and interest in a potentially harmful situation can be a metaphor for a rape
victim who is not aware of a harmful situation and approaches very confidently, with
little hesitation. The shark in this scene can be a metaphor for a rapist who attacks those
who do not follow directions and do not make the right choices.
Arielles Father, King Triton, can represent the demanding control rapists have on
their victims by him putting strict guidelines on Arielles life. King Triton does this by
controlling her actions, who she loves, and suppresses her happiness. In the beginning of
the film, King Triton scolds his daughter for traveling up to the surface of the water and
tells her she is never to go there again. The King controlling her actions and happiness
bans her from exploring and learning new things. After hearing this, hurting Arielle
quickly swims far away to escape the dominating orders her father has constricted her
with. King Triton not only dominates Arielle with his words, but also intimidates her with
his loud and booming voice. Another example of how King Triton is a metaphor of the

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demanding control rapists have on their victims is when he tells her she cannot love Eric.
Arielle secretly goes to the surface without her father knowing and falls in love with
Prince Eric. King Triton tells Arielle, I am going to get through to you, and if this is the
only way, so be it. These examples given by King Triton can be metaphors for the fear
factor that rapists intimidate their victims with and illustrates sexual assultassault in the
Little Mermaid.
Ursulas shell necklace controls her voice, giving her no chance to voice herself
and show Eric who she really is. To gain control over the Sea, Ursula decides to
manipulate Arielle and use her love for Eric as a weapon against the King. Ursula sets a
spell on Arielle to help her to see Eric on land. The spell makes Arielle grow legs and
breath air, but takes away her ability to speak. Arielle goes up to the surface, meets Eric
for the first time, and has dinner with his father. Because Arielle is unable to speak, it
suppresses her ability to show the love of her life who she truly is. After returning to the
ocean, Ursula mocks Arielle saying, you insignificant fool, now I am ruler of the entire
ocean. Like after a rape, victims feel they do not have control over the situation and are
silenced by their rapists. Victims of sexual assault also suffer from the shame and guilt
that comes with being assaulted and can be expressed through Arielles silence in the
movie. By Ursula calling Arielle an insignificant fool, it leaves Arielle feeling like
many victims do after assault.
After evaluating the Little Mermaid in more depth, sexual assault and rape culture
can be used as metaphors for the events and conversations of the film. From the shark
attack, the King, and Ursulas interactions with Arielle, the viewers can conclude that

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rape culture is very present in the film and supports the issue of sexual assault in the
world today.
I really like your paper so far! I think that you have really great ideas and your analysis is
really good! Make sure to include two sources to help support your ideas! Great job so
far!

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The shark
Metaphor for being a rapist
Represents how rapists attack those who are too innocent to see the danger in situations
The father
Metaphor for rapist