Disney's The Little Mermaid has been a big part of our childhood. I mean who hasn't watched that movie at least once in his/her life?
I remember when I was little, I wished that I could be a mermaid with a beautiful voice like Ariel. I would even sing my heart out in public without realizing I was out of tune.
As a kid, Part of Your World by Jodi Benson was my national anthem.
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?
And these few lines from the song stuck with me even up to this day. Every time I go home after a shopping trip or just see my latest haul, I can't help but sing these lines. I feel like I own the world and that I am ready with emergencies or whatnot because I make sure I have "everything" available.
I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty!
But who cares?
No big deal
I want more
And this made me realize - Did Ariel influence me to become the "hoarder" that I am today? Does the song/ movie teach little girls to become materialistic?
But then, if you listen to the song further...
I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'
Walking around on those, what do you call 'em?
Oh, feet
I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'
Walking around on those, what do you call 'em?
Oh, feet
You will realize that no, that is not the case. Instead, the song/ movie teaches us that experience, people and relationships matter more. No amount of material things can replace the emptiness and longing to spend time with our loved ones.
The song also made me realize that it is important that we learn to enjoy our lives. We don't need to just work, work and work. Instead, we must grab the opportunity to travel and explore the world when we can. I think this health crisis has taught us a valuable lesson on seizing opportunities because we will never know what will happen next.
Being quarantined for over a year and literary not going out for months was possible because I held on to my previous experiences and wonderful memories. I really do not mind going out because I do not have many regrets. Though I still feel down from time to time, I just reminisce on our previous trips and travel experiences and that immediately makes me feel better.
If you are a parent, it also important that you spend quality time with your children. It is not enough that you provide all their needs and wants. Your time and attention are more meaningful and it is the best way to show how much you love them.
So, to answer the question -- Ariel is not teaching us to become hoarders. Instead, she inspires us to live our lives fully. Let us dance, walk and be with the people we love. :)
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Before Mulan, I first loved Ariel ☺ Had the, what's that called? Oh, OST. ☺ Haha, on a cassette tape, with lyrics!
ReplyDeleteNow that you've pointed it out, yeah. It was a subconscious suggestion to kids to become hoarders.
ReplyDelete🧜♀️🦞🍴The pandemic did bring into focus how important human relationships and contact are. And, I think I will watch the Little Mermaid today and call all forks dinglehoppers lol. Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteAriel was my absolute favorite movie as a kid. What a neat way to look at the song.
ReplyDeleteI just recently watched The Little Mermaid and that was one of the thoughts I had. She was hoarding so much stuff. You don't think about it as a kid, but as an adult... She definitely was a complete hoarder orrrr I guess you could say that she was a collector. LOL
ReplyDeleteOmg I loved this as a kid. She was a hoarder!
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspectives on the movie. I never would have thought about this! One of my fave Disney movies!
ReplyDeleteLoved how you approached this - both Ariel and the subject of hoarding..
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