When reading Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid I couldn’t help but notice the recurring use of the the color red. Aerial plants red flowers and “a bright red weeping willow” in her garden (Anderson 109). The sunsets are described as having “red and violet clouds” (Anderson 111) and the storm seen by Aerial’s sister had “red flashes of lightning” (Anderson 112). One consistency between the use of red is its relation to the human world. The flora, sun, and sky are all key components of life above water. This is a stark contrast to the atmosphere of Aerial’s world, which is described as having a perpetual “blue tint” (Anderson 109). Anderson uses these colors to highlight the difference between Aerial’s life underwater and the human world she longs to be a part of.
While Anderson’s use of blue and red helps contrast the human world from ocean life, I believe he also intended to use these colors to carry a symbolic meaning that foreshadows Aerial’s fate. Blue is cool-toned and, in literature, often associated with calmness or even isolation. It is the complete opposite of red, which is warm and typically suggests passion and danger. By consistently linking red with elements of life on land, Anderson emphasizes the allure of the unknown and hints at the challenges Aerial will soon face. Aerial is drawn to red because that is how “the sun [appears] to her” (Anderson 109). She is often observing the sun as she attempts to get glimpses of the prince’s life. This makes her transformation into sea foam all the more symbolic as Anderson writes, “the sun now rose out of the sea; its beams threw a kindly warmth upon the cold foam” (Anderson 129). Despite her physical dissolution into sea foam, there is a sense of tenderness and compassion in the sun’s rays— almost an acceptance. Aerial willingly sacrificed herself for the prince. Therefore, I believe Anderson’s decision to describe the sun as red was intentional, as it foreshadows the passion Aerial has for the prince and the imminent transformation she will undergo.
Hi Elise,
I also noticed the multiple times red and blues were mentioned in this story, but I did not connect them as you so eloquently pointed out. It does make sense when you think of these colors as symbolically and I almost want to take it one step further and tie a connection to religion. I feel that there was many hints of Christian values throughout the story and when you think of the color red you think of Hell. With all of those ideas in mind, plus the fact that Ariel basically made a deal with the devil, the sea witch, in order to obtain something against nature, or God’s will, it makes sense that the only thing she meets up there where red resides is her demise. Blue is calm, safe, and a natural color, like the ocean where this young mermaid naturally belonged. One could argue this story was also a way to push the idea that when you go against God’s will you don’t always get what you sought out for. I’m not sure if that’s exactly what Anderson had in mind but I really do think this notion becomes compelling when you close read the color symbolism you mentioned. Great post; you really had my gears turning!
Hi Elise,
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about The Little Mermaid. I didn’t really pick up on the idea of the colors until you mentioned them but after you mentioned them and gave ideas to what they could have possibly meant, I couldn’t agree with you more! If red is always being used to describe the human world, I do think it can mean there is constant danger on land but also the danger she might face as she is there. As the ocean is blue it brings a more calmer feeling, but also shows the safety that the ocean provides to those unknown mythical beings. Reading your response makes me question that another possible meaning for the use of describing the human world as red could be to warn the little mermaid of her possible misplacement in the human world? As she is not human, she has no soul, so what can she possible do in a place she has been told she does not belong in.