Why Does Ariel Have So Many Sisters?

Ariel, the beloved protagonist from Disney's The Little Mermaid, has many sisters because she is a member of the royal family under the sea. This large family dynamic is a storytelling device that emphasizes themes of individuality and the search for identity. In the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, Ariel is the youngest of six sisters. However, Disney's adaptation expands this family to serve a range of narrative and thematic purposes.

A Disney Grandiose Flair

The world of Disney's The Little Mermaid is deep and vast, much like the ocean itself. Disney, known for its grandiose and imaginative storytelling, chose to expand Ariel's family to enhance character development and world-building.

Reinforcing Royal Status

Ariel is the quintessential princess with long flowing hair, a beautiful singing voice, and a curious nature that drives the plot. Surrounding her with a bevy of sisters subtly underlines the regal image of King Triton and his kingdom. Large families historically suggest a certain level of wealth and prestige, very fitting for a royal family under the sea.

Character Contrast

Each of Ariel's sisters—Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Attina, Adella, and Alana—have distinct personalities and designs. They serve as foils to Ariel's character, highlighting her unique qualities such as her rebellious spirit and fascination with the human world. The more sisters there are, the more pronounced Ariel's individuality becomes.

Highlighting Underwater World Diversity

Having multiple characters as siblings allows animators and storytellers to showcase a diverse range of sea-inspired hues and motifs. This adds richness and depth to the underwater world and helps establish its unique culture.

Expanding the Universe

With more characters, Disney can explore their relationships, backstories, and individual arcs, potentially leading to spin-offs, sequels, merchandise, and theme park attractions. The more characters you have, the more you can expand the storytelling universe.

Reflecting on Family Dynamics

Ariel's relationship with her sisters reflects common themes of sibling dynamics, including rivalry, camaraderie, and the struggles of finding one's place within a larger family. This humanizes Ariel and makes the story more relatable to audiences.

Shaping Ariel's Decision-Making

Being the youngest of seven, Ariel's longing to distinguish herself might fuel her adventurous spirit. She seeks to carve her own path amidst a crowd of siblings, making her a character that fits the Disney formula perfectly.

Covering the Bases for Musical Harmonies

It's a musical, after all! The number of sisters is not just a narrative choice but also serves to create a visually and audibly pleasing harmony in their introductory song.

In short, Ariel's expansive family serves the dual purpose of enriching the world-building of the story while also providing narrative depth and character distinction. Whether it's about creating a visually splendid royal family or setting Ariel apart as the unique mermaid with aspirations above her station, her sisters are an integral part of the vibrant undersea picture that Disney has painted.