If You Fail This Little Mermaid Quiz, Your Childhood Sucked

SO - think you know The Little Mermaid?

Take this quiz and find out! There is more to this movie than just the plot of girl meets boy and tries to convince boy that she is the one. You'll be asked plot questions, character questions and inconsequential little-detail oriented questions, to show that you truly know this movie inside out!

With her fiery hair - and matching nature - Ariel captured the hearts of viewers for generations. From Ariel's fairy-tale romance, to beautiful under-the-sea themes and continuous moments of comedy and "quote-able moments", The Little Mermaid is one of those Disney films that cannot be forgotten. Produced in 1989 (roughly the beginning of the Renaissance-Era), audiences were never able to completely forget Ariel and her friends as the movie was followed by a prequel, sequel and Disney Channel TV show.

If you haven't watched it in awhile - I recommend doing it at the soonest opportunity - and seeing how much of the film you're able to quote (if you watched it a lot as a child, you'll probably be surprised by how much you remember). Let yourself be taken away by Sebastian's "Under the Sea", and let your somewhat cynical side come out with Ursula's several quotable, sass-filled, moments.

Question 1

How are audiences introduced to Triton’s Kingdom?

During Eric’s lesson on who King Triton is, the sailor is animatedly using a fish that he had pulled out of the fishing nets, to wave around animatedly in Grimsby’s face after he had objected to King Triton’s existence. The fish, taking the opportunity of being waved around in the air (and is assumedly still slippery from being in the ocean), wiggles enthusiastically in Grimsby’s face to escape the fishing nets. We see the poor fish breathing a sigh of relief once he is safely back in the ocean, far away from the fishing nets.

Question 2

Why is Sebastian annoyed with Ariel at the beginning of the movie?

King Triton is excited for the concert that is about to occur and discusses the beauty of his daughters’ voices with Sebastian, who is making his way down to the stage to begin conducting the musicians and singers (who are Ariel’s sisters). However while Sebastian enthusiastically praises Ariel in front of King Triton, the minute he heads down to the front of the stage he mutters to himself some frustrations that he has been having with Ariel during the creation and practices for this concert.

Question 3

What is a dinglehopper?

The main conflict between Ariel and her father comes from Ariel’s complete fascination with humans, especially with the artifacts she finds in shipwrecks and collects. While Ariel is enchanted with this world, King Triton is not. As audiences find out later in the film, Triton has completely forbidden association with humans within his kingdom. Regardless of her father’s edict, Ariel collects these objects, and to make matters worse, she goes to the surface to get completely inaccurate names, histories and facts for each article she finds from a seagull. One iconic example is the ‘dinglehopper’.

Question 4

What is the bottom-half of Ursula?

Traditionally the name ‘Mer-people’ leads people to believe that the human/fish combination is the only humanoid hybrid in existence within these magical realms. Yet Disney challenges that belief through the introduction of Ursula, the sea-witch. As audiences learn throughout the movie, she was a part of King Triton’s court - and therefore Kingdom - making her a part of the Mer-folk, and yet she does not have the same humanoid hybrid as the rest of the citizens within Triton’s kingdom.

Question 5

How did King Triton learn that Ariel had gone to the surface again?

After completely missing the concert that was to be her debut -presumably for singing - to the Kingdom, Ariel has to explain to her father why she forgot about her performance. However, from what audiences can see - Ariel does not get much of a say during this argument/explanation with her father - as Triton dominates the discussion by voicing his parental frustration. Yet Ariel does have her own protectors - specifically her fish-friend Flounder - who speaks up for Ariel (rather incoherently, but still) for her with King Triton. But something goes wrong during his defense of her.

Question 6

Why does King Triton not like humans?

The full reason for King Triton’s hatred against humans is not fully given within ‘The Little Mermaid’ (but it is in the prequel ‘The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning’), but he gives a keen audience more than one reason to put the pieces together through his various rants about humans during the film. However if that particular logic is currently eluding you, think about: King Triton is the King of the FISH, and when audiences first meet Eric, he is on a fishing boat.

Question 7

How old is Ariel?

During the first fight Ariel has with her father about going to the surface (right after our introduction to Scuttle, the seagull [ if you can think of this particular dialogue, King Triton comes up with one VERY GOOD REASON why he does not like humans, and doesn’t want Ariel near them]) Ariel uses her age and the argument “I’m XX years old, I’m not a child.” (Yet, when you think about it, the age Ariel uses really isn’t known for portraying great amounts of maturity - Ariel, sadly, can be considered a perfect example of that).

Question 8

What are Ariel’s “thingamabobs” that she mentions in ‘Part of Your World’?

The song I am specifically referencing here is when she is singing in her grotto full of human things, titled on the soundtrack as “Part of Your World”. If you need any help to sing along, here are some of the lyrics: “Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat? Wouldn’t you think that my collections complete? Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl, the girl who has everything.? Look at this trove, treasures untold, how many wonders can one cavern hold?” (As recently noted: the names Ariel has for her gadgets are completely inaccurate)

Question 9

How does Ariel fall in love with Eric?

Unheeding of her father’s previous outburst against her going to the surface, Ariel again, goes to the surface. Unlike last time she hears a loud noise and goes to the surface out of curiosity, rather than to learn information from Scuttle. The noises Ariel hears are actually the fireworks from Prince Eric’s birthday celebration on the ship he was first seen on. Ariel takes advantage of this opportunity and was able to climb up the side of the ship to peer onto the deck through a whole in the railing.

Question 10

What is Eric’s birthday present from Grimsby that he’s not that fond of?

The scene that causes Ariel to fall in love with Eric, his birthday scene, would not be complete without him getting at least ONE present, right? So, in honour of that, Grimsby made sure to have his rather large present for Eric on board to present to him during the festivities. In hindsight, this gift was actually quite thoughtful (and probably quite expensive), but during the film Grimsby’s present seems quite misplaced and even borderline ridiculous; and even Eric is unimpressed with the gift.

Question 11

Why is Eric unwilling to marry?

During his birthday ceremony, and the giving of the gift, Grimsby comments that he had commissioned the statue of Eric as a birthday AND wedding present - indicating his frustration that Eric hadn’t picked a bride. While Eric understands Grimsby’s frustrations, he argues that he isn’t single due to pure choice, but rather due to circumstance. What is perfect about this situation is that Eric doesn’t explain why none of the previous suitors have not made the cut - making the love story between him and Ariel the perfect fairytale.

Question 12

How does Eric learn about Mer people?

‘The Little Mermaid’ opens up to sailors singing while they fish in the middle of the ocean (causing many re-watchers of the movie to question the relationship between Ariel and Eric, since Ariel is a mermaid, but anywhoo). Eric, like the sailors, is enjoying being out to sea and the good weather they are having. While he is enjoying the moment, a sailor mentions that “King Triton must be in a friendly-type mood”, causing Eric to ask who King Triton is, and the sailor to explain it to him.

Question 13

Why did Eric go back onto the boat?

Eric’s birthday celebration was going splendidly, until the good weather suddenly turned into a hurricane, causing the entire crew to scramble into action. Unfortunately, while the crew did their best to save the ship, the storm was too strong for them. Lightening strikes the ship creating a fire that is fuel by both the boards of the ship and the fireworks that were onboard for Eric’s birthday. Additionally the hull of the ship hit rocks - causing the crew to abandon ship - which Eric originally does. Yet one important figure was still on deck, causing Eric to go back.

Question 14

What is the name of Eric’s dog?

Eric’s dog, who appears with him in almost every single scene Eric is present in, is a fluffy, slobbery, excitable mess (quite accurate for a sheepdog). While this particular animal cannot speak, he is quite savvy and was able to immediately recognize Ariel, where Eric could not. Like any sheepdog, Eric’s is loyal to his master - which is showcased through his intense dislike for Ursula’s humanoid form (he could sense that something was wrong) - and is even able to transfer that almost instantly to Ariel (assumedly in return for saving Eric).

Question 15

How could Eric confuse Ariel's looks?

Ariel’s song ‘Part of Your World’ becomes her opener to Eric, as in his half-drowned state, he hears her beautiful voice singing, and sees her face, opening the door for the entire problem within the plot, as Eric decides that he’ll only be able to recognize Ariel again through her voice. While this moment can be seen as the first time these two actually meet - and their love for each other begins - there is one crucial problem with it: and that is what happens to Ariel’s appearance while Eric is looking at her.

Question 16

Which song do these lyrics belong too? “The seaweed is always greener, in somebody else’s lake”

After rescuing Eric, Ariel becomes lovesick. Seen singing absentmindedly around the Palace, her sisters notice and tell their father that she is in love (done harmlessly, as Ariel is the youngest, and the sisters are just as confounded as King Triton). However, Ariel’s sisters are not the only one to notice her love-induced absentmindedness. As she sits on a rock, plucking leaves from an underwater plant playing “he loves me, he loves me not”, Sebastian decides to try and put some sense into her head by singing her a song.

Question 17

How does King Triton discover Ariel’s secret grotto?

King Triton’s hatred for humans is well-known, which obviously would make Sebastian - Triton’s appointed guardian/snitch on Ariel - nervous when he is urgently summoned to the Palace by Triton. Not knowing WHY Triton has summoned him, but assuming that it is because he has noticed Ariel’s strange behaviour and is concerned by it (remember, Triton doesn’t know that Ariel is in love with a human - he thinks its a merman), Sebastian begins to completely unravel in the face of King Triton.

Question 18

What is Ursula’s special garden made from?

Ursula, the sea-witch, is introduced to audiences with in a rather dark/sinister way. Her voice, already low and husky, emerges from a dark hole in a cave somewhere; and what she is saying is rather creepy, unnerving and downright contemptuous of the incorrigible princess Ariel. It becomes obvious to audiences that Ursula has been watching Ariel for some time (we do not know why), however, she begins scheming once she learns that Ariel has fallen in love with a human. At the end of her introductory scene Ursula mentions her garden - which is filled with screaming, writhing THINGS.

Question 19

What is the deadline Ariel has to get Eric to kiss her?

This particular deadline seems to be a favourite of quite a few Disney-based witches/sorcerers and overall magic users, including Ursula. After introducing herself, her work and her abilities to Ariel, Ursula lays out the entire deal to Ariel (including that if Ariel fails, she will forever belong to Ursula - I mean, kudos to Ursula for being 100% honest with the consequences, right?) However, Ursula is REALLY specific with the deadline (think past just the number of days to a specific time OF day) Ariel has to get Eric to kiss her with true love’s kiss.

Question 20

What are the names of Ursula’s eels?

For whatever reason (we’re not really sure), Ursula rarely leaves her underwater lair, and instead gets her two eels/henchmen to do a lot of the swimming around (pun intended) for her. In fact it is through these two that audiences learn that Ursula has been watching Ariel for quite some time (I mean, how did these two eels figure out where Ariel’s secret grotto was? OR that she collected human artifacts?). This is not the only time these two do Ursula’s bidding though, as they continue to do her dirty work throughout the film.

Question 21

What would Ariel have to give up if she were to remain human?

While the deal with Ursula intrinsically JUST involves Ariel’s voice, there were ramifications from the deal that Ariel was not entirely ready to consider (hint: it’s NOT that she would be owned by Ursula for the rest of her life if she was to fail). Ariel’s slight second-guess about this ramification is sadly the FIRST sign audiences have that Ariel is not sure about this deal; I mean, she’s already listened to Ursula’s henchmen and followed them to her lair, had to swim through the creepy, writhing garden, and listened to half of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” by this point.

Question 22

Where does Ursula keep Ariel’s voice?

Aside from the fact that you cannot actually take someone’s voice like how you can take some of their candy (it is not an actual ‘thing’ that can be touched and taken from you), Ursula has to keep the glowing-orb that is Ariel’s voice somewhere. After reciting the the incantation and removing Ariel’s voice, audiences see her magic it into an object that is party of her every-day life, allowing Ursula to make sure that she doesn’t lose it and is able to use it when/if she needs too.

Question 23

Why is Ursula taking Ariel’s voice SO problematic?

(REALLY BIG HINT: I’ve already mentioned part of this in a previous question). Unbeknownst to Ariel, Eric’s mental visualizations of her have morphed, due to the sun in her hair, turning her into a brunette, rather than a redhead, leaving the one defining characteristic of her something that she no longer has: her voice. While Eric’s mental visualizations of Ariel are beautiful, he probably is not 100% sure of what she looks like, even though when he first sees her on the beach, he does recognize her and believes that Ariel is the woman who saved him on the beach.

Question 24

Who gives Ariel her first human outfit?

When Ariel is turned into a human by Ursula, she is not given anything to cover her bottom-half (which Disney sneakily alluded too, but never confirmed - obviously - in her first few human scenes). Ariel is seen on the beach, delighted with her legs and trying to figure them out, while her land and sea friends discuss her situation. However, while two of them discuss the tight deadline Ariel faces, one of them notices her nakedness and decides to help her make a “good” (it was rather ridiculous) impression on the humans she will come in contact with.

Question 25

Where do the Palace staff think Ariel is from?

Since Ariel cannot speak, she cannot discuss where she came from, or how she ended up on the beach dressed in a ripped ship sail. But, luckily for her, the people of Eric’s kingdom are rather intuitive. Taking the fact that she was found on the beach, dressed in a ripped ship sail, cannot speak (assumedly from trauma), and no one else (or anything) is found with her, they were able to make a reasonable assumption as to why she washed up on their shore.

Question 26

How does Ariel embarrass herself at dinner?

While the facts that Scuttle have given her are inaccurate and funny, Ariel doesn’t know any better, and uses the knowledge she acquired (and believes is accurate), to show-off her ease within the human world. Even though Ariel is momentarily embarrassed by the looks she gets after proudly showing off her knowledge, the comedic moment that she creates, by blowing Grimsby's pipe into his face, smooths over the momentary awkwardness and allows her to gain her social footing in the meantime.

Question 27

How does Sebastian cause mayhem while in the castle?

While Ariel’s introduction to the Palace had a few awkward moments, it is nothing in comparison to Sebastian’s entrance into the castle. After being crushed and processed with Ariel’s rag-laundry, he is then catapulted into the Palace kitchen where he runs into a bit of a problem (and honestly, one thing a lot of Disney-fans have had problems with) as Eric’s chef is cooking fish for dinner. While he is horrified at where he has ended up, Sebastian does his best to hide from notice, but is unable to do so.

Question 28

How does Eric learn Ariel’s name?

Without her voice, Ariel is unable to tell Eric anything, even her name. It can be assumed that the two have communicated with simple “yes/no? questions or hand gestures until this point. “This point” being their boat ride in the lagoon; during which Eric mentions that he needs a name to call her, leading him to pitch several name ideas and Ariel refusing each of them (no one thought about asking her to write it down). Ariel’s dislike of the names he has considered so far, cause Eric to momentarily pause, allowing for what to happen?

Question 29

How does Sebastian set the mood for Eric to kiss the girl?

Sebastian was not the first character to come up with the idea of setting a romantic atmosphere for the couple in the boat. Scuttle - who is absolutely tone-deaf and unable to sing or hum at any level - attempts to set the mood first, picking up that Eric and Ariel had reached a communication block. However, Sebastian is thoroughly annoyed with Scuttle’s inability to sing, and uses his experience as concert conductor and organizer, to cover the seagull's awful attempts at singing.

Question 30

What disrupts Ariel and Eric’s kiss?

The mood-making magic that Sebastian created through his soothing singing voice, melodious chorus and beautiful setting (with the help of the surrounding animals) worked - go Sebastian! Thanks to the help of water and land animals, Sebastian was able to create a romantic atmosphere and heighten the already-existing romantic feelings Ariel and Eric have for each other, but have been too nervous/shy to act upon until now. Thanks to the singing and mood lighting - courtesy of firefly’s - Eric finally scrounges up his courage to attempt kissing Ariel.

Question 31

How does Ursula confuse Eric?

After disrupting Eric and Ariel’s almost-kiss through her eels, Ursula realizes that giving Ariel and Eric three days was perhaps too generous; which then pushes her into immediate action of ensuring that Ariel fails in getting Eric to fall in love with her. This is the part of the film where two separate moments make sense: the first is why Ursula wanted Ariel’s voice and kept it close. The second is why Ariel being turned into a brunette via sunlight was more problematic for the plot than originally thought.

Question 32

Who tells Ariel that Eric is not marrying her?

The morning of the third day is a moment that would break any romantics heart: Ariel is awoken by an over-enthusiastic friend, congratulating her on her upcoming wedding (and if you weren’t the audience - who can see everything - you can understand why all of Ariel’s friends thought the wedding was hers: she was the only female in the presence of Eric for two days, and the two obviously like each other). However, when she runs downstairs, she hears Grimsby congratulating Eric and a woman on their engagement.

Question 33

How does Ariel find out that Eric’s fiancé is Ursula?

Ariel’s final day as a human is one that is both heartbreaking and rather informative. After discovering that Eric is engaged and dealing with her heart-break, Ariel learns that Ursula had somehow turned herself into a human and convinced Eric that she was the mysterious woman that he had fallen in love with. But how did she find out? Ursula did have a moment where she revealed herself, and her true intentions, but that was done in the privacy of her own change-room while getting ready for her wedding.

Question 34

What is Ursula’s human name?

Ariel never got the chance to pick a 'human' name, as she could never really speak while she was human; and when she was turned human, she kept her name (and we all sighed in relief). Ursula, however, does not keep her name (perhaps because she wanted to make sure Ariel and her friends didn't suspect it was her? Or perhaps because she never liked it). Ursula's human name is mentioned only once in the movie, specifically during her wedding vows to Eric. Can you guess what it is?

Question 35

How is the spell broken on Eric?

Once Ariel and her friends find out that Eric is marrying Ursula, each member of the group springs into action. Scuttle scrounges up all of the land/sea animals within the area to come and attack Ursula on the wedding boat, while Flounder swims Ariel to the wedding boat (albeit with some difficulty). Once Scuttle’s army reaches the wedding boat, all of the animals are unleashed against Ursula, in an attempt to stop her from marrying Eric. However, it wasn’t until Scuttle tries to get her necklace that the group is presented with the opportunity to break the spell.

Question 36

What does King Triton do to save Ariel?

Even though Ariel broke Ursula’s necklace - and therefore the spell - she had on Eric, Ariel was unable to complete her task of kissing Eric before the sunset on the third day. Since she did not hold up her end of the bargain, Ariel from that moment on, becomes the sole property of Ursula, much to the distress of King Triton and Sebastian, who went in search for the King once he found out Ursula was Eric’s fiancé. Triton tries to save his daughter by attempting to blast the contract Ariel signed; but unfortunately that is not enough.

Question 37

Why can’t King Triton destroy Ariel’s contract?

King Triton - ever the loving father (even with some anger issues) - tries to save his youngest child by attempting to destroy the contract Ariel had signed. The problem is that his all-powerful trident has no effect on the contract, much to Ursula’s delight, and Triton’s distress. After Triton attempts to destroy the contract, Ursula mocks him, mentioning why he cannot destroy it and snidely adding “even with your power”, rubbing salt in the wound of losing his daughter and being powerless to stop it.

Question 38

How were Ursula’s eels killed?

Flotsom and Jetsam have been loyal to Ursula for who knows how long. The two snake-like creatures are seen winding around her several times - indicating their loyalty for her, and her enjoyment of their company and abilities for her - I mean, the eels would not have done all they have for her, and put up with her attitude, if they didn’t feel something for Ursula on some level. But in the final confrontation between Arial, Eric and Ursula, the two eels meet their untimely demise, much to Ursula’s frustration and sadness.

Question 39

How does Ursula die?

The actual fight-scene between Ursula, Eric and Ariel is rather short, but filled with quite a few dynamic moments, one of which is Ursula’s death. After the accidental-murder of her two eels, Ursula goes into a rage, resulting in her magicking herself to epic proportions, and bewitching the sea to trap Ariel in a whirlpool. But this whirlpool does more than just trap Ariel at the bottom, it gives Eric an opportunity to save the love of his life and future father-in-law (although Ariel was probably first priority).

Question 40

How does Ariel get to stay human?

After defeating Ursula the movie comes around full circle: Eric is once again, washed up on the beach from the resulting waves and shipwreck caused by Ursula’s sinking body, and Ariel is stuck in her mermaid form watching him on a rock. The amount of misery and unhappiness that is put into Ariel’s dejected form for this particular scene is palpable, so much so, that she garners sympathy from those who have been the biggest advocates for her staying a mermaid.

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