Prof. Sameeah Muhammed
FIQWS Fairytales
12/09/13
A Tail of Sacrifice: Forbidden Love and an Immortal Soul in The Little Mermaid
The concept of “love at first sight” may sound romantic, however it’s extremely
unrealistic. In many fairytales, the protagonist meets her prince, her savior, one time
before knowing that he’s the one for her, without any doubts on the matter. In reality
though, one cannot fall in love the instant he or she lays eyes on another. That initial
feeling may be attraction, but it does not go deeper that that. “The Little Mermaid” by
Hans Christian Andersen, differs from this typical pattern of girl meets prince, prince
loves girl, girl and prince marry, and instead introduces a deeper theme of attaining an
immortal soul through true love and going through trials to get it. The concept of
“forbidden love” is very prevalent in this tale. The fact that the little mermaid is willing
to leave a comfortable life behind for one of pain even though she isn’t guaranteed a
happy ending, and that the prince is willing to leave a girl who he feels a connection with,
just so he can find the girl who he mistakenly thinks saved his life, proves that this
relationship is more than on of just attraction. Andersen is suggesting that the “forbidden
love” in this tale, is the path to an immortal soul, as proven by the trials and sacrifices
faced by both the little mermaid and her prince.
In Andersen’s tale, the little mermaid is a very curious creature who longs to
know more about human life on land. After she saves a young prince’s life, the mermaid
goes to visit her old grandmother who knows all about the world above. She then asks her
grandmother what happens to humans when they die to which her grandmother responds
saying that “human beings have a soul that lives on forever, even after their bodies have
returned to dust.” This is as opposed to the merpeople who “cease to exist” because they
“lack an immortal soul.” (Andersen 139) This lack causes the little mermaid to long for a
soul like the ones of the humans so she asks how it would be possible for her to receive
one. However, the only way for her to gain an immortal soul is if “a human loved [her] so
much that [she] meant more to him than his father and mother” and “promise to remain
faithful and true here and in all eternity.” (Andersen 140) For then her human lover
would have given her his soul, but still kept his own. Promising oneself to another
entirely and being willing to do whatever it takes for his or her well being, even
sacrificing things of great importance such as a parental figure, is what creates a bond
strong enough to transform into an immortal soul. (Tatar 37) Andersen is suggesting that
