The Little Mermaid: Transformation

Resource for Grades 9-12

The Little Mermaid: Transformation

Media Type:
Video

Running Time: 4m 11s
Size: 24.3 MB



Resource Produced by:

WNET

Collection Developed by:

WNET

Collection Credits

Collection Funded by:


This video from Great Performances: The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet features the Little Mermaid as she meets with the Sea Witch and makes her fateful decision to become human. This scene vividly evokes the violence and pain the Little Mermaid endures as she is transformed, all for the love of the prince.

Supplemental Media Available:

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen (Document)

open Discussion Questions

Before the Video

  • What do you know about the story of the Little Mermaid? Did you read the story or watch the animated film as a child? If so, what are your memories of it? How did the film compare with the original story?
  • Read the passage from the text describing the Little Mermaid’s transformation from sea creature to human. Explain why this passage is meaningful to the story. What does this passage tell the reader about the Little Mermaid character?

During the Video

  • Think about how this version of The Little Mermaid is different from what you already know about the story.

After the Video

  • Describe the movements of the dancer portraying the Little Mermaid in the video. Explain why the character’s movements were meaningful to the story. How does she tell the story without a word?
  • Compare the ballet with the passage in the original text. Did you connect with the text or the ballet? Why?

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