The Little Mermaid

Worksheet Description

The worksheet provided is a tool to explore situational irony within the context of the classic fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” Students are asked to consider the motives and actions of the main character, Ariel, who desires to gain legs. The questions guide them through the narrative to identify what Ariel sacrifices to achieve her goal and the single memory that Prince Eric retains of the girl who saved him. They must then reflect on the cost Ariel pays for her transformation.

In the final question, students must explain why these events are considered situational irony. This question encourages them to think critically about the expectations set up by the story and how the actual outcomes contrast with these expectations, thereby deepening their understanding of situational irony as a literary device. By analyzing Ariel’s actions and their unintended consequences, students gain insight into how irony can add depth and complexity to a story, enhancing its thematic and emotional impact.