Final Exam - Self Reliance

Little Mermaid - Part of Your World

Transcendentalists believed one should work to be reliant on themselves instead of those around them or the government. Arial demonstrated free thought and self reliance through the entire film, because not only did she collect items that came from the human world, but she also desired to come in contact with humans, both of which were frowned upon. When Triton tells her no, she continues to think and live the way she wanted, she decided no to follow her fathers wishes and be self reliant. In Emerson's "Self Reliance", he says "Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." (Emerson, Self Reliance. 8) Arial believes this to be true, because normally a person would trust that their father knows what is good for them, but she continues to think the way she feels. Self reliance, free thought, and confidence go hand in hand, because you need to trust that just because other people do not agree with what you think, doesn't mean you're wrong. As Emerson said, "To be great is to be misunderstood." (Emerson, Self Reliance. 61) Transcendentalist believed you should live with the intent to live, not with the intent to please the people around you.

"The Little Mermaid-Part Of Your World" Youtube. Disney. 1989. June 29, 2007.