Remembering The Little Mermaid made me realized that Ursula was actually a good, if not great, Villain. It is not just because the unspoken, though obvious, trap for Ariel and Triton, but because she told the truth, most of it, the trick was how she told it. She admitted what she was, a witch, and what she wanted, her voice, and that there were consequences should Ariel failed to fulfil her side of the contract. Still the stupid little mermaid fell for it because she did not have a real mother or female-figure to follow. Also, because she is sixteen, with a crush on a cute prince and a nagging for adventure, and she is mad with her dad for breaking the statue of her crush.
So, when it comes to men, and not just mermen, the only clue and advice come from Ursula, because she is the only one willing to give any type of information about human men. Thinking about what Ursula said about men, for the time and space where the story is taking place, let me tell you, unfortunately, it is the best advice. What she said is truth, just a little unexplained for a person with no clue about real human relationships.
“You'll have your looks, your pretty face
And don't underestimate the importance of body language”
One word, patriarchy.
You see, patriarchal societies always want a submissive pretty thing to have as wife for the power-focus male who wants to be a leader. The best way to sell her contract to Ariel is to convince her that she is getting the best part of the bargain and that men would only care about physical appearance thus she will get what she wants because she is pretty. Unfortunately that was truth before as it is now. Times are changing and now there is more than a pretty face and a nice body, even nice and pretty is changing definition depending on time and place.
“The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Yet on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all dear, what is idle babble for?”
More unfortunate truth, even in not-so-old days women were left as not citizens and their vote was not counted because of their social status, which was only measure depending on the male head of family. Since the man is the one with the vote, he is also with the voice for the house and women with no voice, metaphorically or literally, were better because they’d not argue with whatever decision was made by the men.
“Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can”
This one is still true in many modern societies and relationships. There have been many relationships which failed because of lack of communication. Men are used to just “suck it up and take it like a man” kind of attitude since they are kids and any kind of open feelings communication is usually seen not manly. The stereotype is women talk to much, and men usually just ignore them.
“But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a lady who's withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man”
Yup, the cute, quiet, submissive, young woman gets the man. Even Ursula adopts that charade of coy when she is bewitching the prince.
“Come on you poor unfortunate soul”
Of course, the cherry on top.
By appealing to Ariel’s feelings of distress for her first teenage crush, she appears compassionate. Any outsider can see what Ursula is truly doing, however, a teenager, with her first crush/love, and corresponding mood swings is too oblivious to any malice from someone offering help.
The lack of mother figure and no communication in the family, from either the sisters or the parent, brings a disaster to the sea. Can you imagine how much easier could’ve been to just communicate and come to a solution or compromise? I mean, at the end it is Triton himself who sees that Ariel really loves the prince and gives Ariel the legs that she wanted.
So, when it comes to men, and not just mermen, the only clue and advice come from Ursula, because she is the only one willing to give any type of information about human men. Thinking about what Ursula said about men, for the time and space where the story is taking place, let me tell you, unfortunately, it is the best advice. What she said is truth, just a little unexplained for a person with no clue about real human relationships.
“You'll have your looks, your pretty face
And don't underestimate the importance of body language”
One word, patriarchy.
You see, patriarchal societies always want a submissive pretty thing to have as wife for the power-focus male who wants to be a leader. The best way to sell her contract to Ariel is to convince her that she is getting the best part of the bargain and that men would only care about physical appearance thus she will get what she wants because she is pretty. Unfortunately that was truth before as it is now. Times are changing and now there is more than a pretty face and a nice body, even nice and pretty is changing definition depending on time and place.
“The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Yet on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all dear, what is idle babble for?”
More unfortunate truth, even in not-so-old days women were left as not citizens and their vote was not counted because of their social status, which was only measure depending on the male head of family. Since the man is the one with the vote, he is also with the voice for the house and women with no voice, metaphorically or literally, were better because they’d not argue with whatever decision was made by the men.
“Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can”
This one is still true in many modern societies and relationships. There have been many relationships which failed because of lack of communication. Men are used to just “suck it up and take it like a man” kind of attitude since they are kids and any kind of open feelings communication is usually seen not manly. The stereotype is women talk to much, and men usually just ignore them.
“But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a lady who's withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man”
Yup, the cute, quiet, submissive, young woman gets the man. Even Ursula adopts that charade of coy when she is bewitching the prince.
“Come on you poor unfortunate soul”
Of course, the cherry on top.
By appealing to Ariel’s feelings of distress for her first teenage crush, she appears compassionate. Any outsider can see what Ursula is truly doing, however, a teenager, with her first crush/love, and corresponding mood swings is too oblivious to any malice from someone offering help.
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