VP, on "Lullaby"

Commentary: In Disney's The Little Mermaid, the main conflict is between Ariel and her father, King Triton. Some scholars have made the conflict about gender, arguing that Triton is like the patriarchal society oppressing a strong woman. I completely disagree. When I watch The Little Mermaid, the love that I see from King Triton to his daughter is overwhelming. At the beginning of the movie, he warns her against going to the surface, which she blatantly ignores, and it is implied that she has done the same thing countless times before. Finding out Ariel is in love, Triton is excited and proud. Although when he discovers that her love is for a human, he becomes upset. Ariel, too, shows great love for her father when given the decision to become human: her main concern is that she will never see her father or sisters again. When she disappears to the surface, Triton won't let the kingdom sleep until she is found. He is not angry; he is concerned for the safety of his daughter. Near the climax, even though she defied him, Triton sacrifices himself so that Ariel will not become a polyp. At the very end, Triton realizes his daughter is grown and in love, and so he grants her legs. The song I chose to go along with this fan video is “Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)” by Billy Joel. Joel has publicly stated that “Lullaby” was inspired by, and written for his daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. The song is rich in ocean language, such as “emerald bay” and “like a boat upon the ocean”, which fits into the imagery of the sea in The Little Mermaid. I find especially moving the lyrics that say “Wherever you may go/No matter where you are/I never will be far away”. These words exemplify the emotions at the end of Disney's The Little Mermaid, when Triton gives Ariel legs, effectively separating them forever; but they will always be together because of the love that they share. This video is not about Patriarchy or feminism, but about the unique love between father and daughter that Disney has captured in The Little Mermaid.