More Mermaids

[beeinmybonnet]

A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse (1901)
Would you look at that? Just... Wow.
I’m not a big fan of classical “real” art – mostly because it seems to me, in my humble opinion, far too pretentious for little me – but I do love the pre-Raphaelites, and especially John William Waterhouse. I mean, just look at this painting. He’s beyond brilliant.

I have a humongous wall picture of this in my room, that’s how much I love this painting. I think it’s because of its softness and air of innocence; the mermaid looks so young and guileless, almost non-sexual for all her sensuality. And then there is the design on the fin. It’s gorgeous. The smooth transition from skin to scales, how it follows the shapes of her body, covering her hips while showing the convex curve of her belly and the heart-shape of the small of her back. That, ladies and gentlemen, is both arousing and alluring, without becoming vulgar for even a moment.

I am so stealing that for my own merfolk design. ♥


Also, just almost off-topic: I know the original voice casting is always the one you should prefer, but I’ve found that I like the Swedish dub version of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” a lot more than the English American one. I think it’s because the Swedish voice actress has such a commanding presence, and an amazing voice.

I still adhere to my opinion that Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a story about a MTF transsexual.

Comments

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

There's never actually been a proper discussion, since it's not one of the set texts, but I would tend to see Ursula as the evil mother figure, who is trying to make the daughter suffer for lusting after the father. But then I am talking about Freud again, and I really wish I could stop doing that, because he freaks me out a little.

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

... What? I assume this is a whole other theory, and not meant to be compatibly with my MtF theory? And though I suppose I will regret it, mind telling me why you think so?

I always thought Urusla came across as a bit behind-the-scenes character. According to my ~fancy~ theory, Ariel's first meeting with Ursula represents Ariel making a deal with herself/himself; she decides to pretend to be a woman to become close to Eric. Ursula as Vanessa represents Ariel's inner insecurities and self-doubt, possibly even paranoia, and how she imagines Eric might find a better, more "proper" woman than her/him. The fight with Ursula in the Grand Finale represents Ariel's breakdown, when she confesses everything (surprise!fin and "I wanted to tell you...!") and Eric proves to her/him that he does not care about Ariel's physical sex because he loves Ariel anyway; i.e. he kills the self-doubt, as personified by Ursula.

Did that make any sense at all? Did I unwittingly offend anyone?

(Apologies for awkward use of pronouns. I'm not sure what to use in this case. :/)