In The Little Mermaid by Hans Christain Andersen, the high and low design of the stories landscape maps onto the vertical ascension of Christianity associated with hell, purgatory, and heaven. Each ascension correlates to it’s respective vertical plane and leads the mermaid closer towards a heavenly life. This transition from plane to plane involves sacrifice and encompasses the Christian tenet of the body may die but the soul lives on. Within the frame of Christianity and religious life (?) of the little mermaid, sacrificing ones own life in the name of a higher power is noble and elevates your position in the spiritual world. (connect back to religious propoganda)