Scene 1: A Whole New World

The setting is the new world of college at the University of Texas at Austin. Justina is away from home. The mood is a blend of excitement, curiousity, and fear--freedom.

Ariel: With the help of Ursula the Sea Witch, I finally became human. The catch was that I had to trade my beautiful, singing voice for a pair of legs. After my transformation, I headed to the surface. The human world was so different--scary but exciting. It satisfied my curiousity--and I got to see the man I loved.

Justina: For my remaining years of high school, I worked really hard in my classes and studied for my SATs so that I could get into either Rice University or the University of Texas at Austin. I then chose to attend UT Austin and entered a whole new realm. So this is what the freedom I desired for felt like!

Ariel: Although I was having so much fun exploring the new world of humans, I really missed home. I missed my family. I only wished my father would understand. It was hard for me to deal with huge conflicts on my own.

Justina: The feeling of this new freedom is overwhelming, but very good at the same time. Because I still have such a grudge against my father, I don't want his help. I want to prove myself that I am independent and responsible. I do miss having my parents and the rest of my http://justina.pbwiki.com/Observations">family around somewhat, and I wish it was easy for me to call them when I became a little homesick or having trouble.

Scene 2: Resolution

The setting is back at Justina and her family's home in Houston. The mood is depicted by understanding, relief, and warmer tones.

Ariel: Being on my own made me realize how much my family and home meant to me. After a series of conflicts in which all occur because Ursula tries to screw me over, the real conflict comes when my father has to sign away his kingship to Ursula. It was all my fault. But not matter what, he sacrificed himself for me.

King Triton: I would gladly give my life to save any one of my kids. Although handing over my trident and my throne to Ursula was one of the most horrible events in my life, it had to be done to save my Ariel. I was so glad to have her back. Her being gone on her own without me scared me so much.

Justina: The physical distance between my dad and I was actually bringing us closer together. It's incredible how something so miniscule could totally change things. I started to feel like he was letting me go---letting me be free and independent. I feel that he has done a 180 turn.

Justina's dad: As Justina was proving herself to be responsible and independent, I began to let her go. I realized that she's not a little kid anymore--even though she will always be my little girl. I reanalyzed my life and my relationships with my kids. All my years of the "iron fist" resulted in their resentment of me. I never grew up with a father, and I would never want them to experience the same thing. I wanted to be in their lives.

With Justina's new-found freedom, she becomes much happier--not only for herself but for her relationship with her dad. She realizes that a relationship is a lot of give-and-take, especially with her father.

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Ariel in Carriage image accredited to Ultimate Disney

Ariel and King Triton image accredited to OU Student Web