Legs represent the freedom to move and explore. In particular, Ariel longs to experience life on land and all it offers. She fantasizes about walking and dancing, and she dreams of exploring the human world. However, she is bound to the ocean by her fishtail and cannot swim freely on the surface. Thus, legs become the symbol of her desire for freedom and independence, her chance to break away from her responsibilities and experience life fully.
Humanity and Acceptance
Legs also represent Ariel's desire to become human and to be accepted by the human world. In her underwater life, she feels different and lonely, and she longs to belong to a world where she can be herself. Legs would allow her to walk among humans and to interact with them on equal terms, fulfilling her desire for connection and acceptance.
Love and Sacrifice
In pursuing her desire for legs, Ariel is willing to make significant sacrifices. She risks the wrath of her father and the safety of her home by making a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula. She endures physical and emotional pain in Ursula's transformation spell. These sacrifices demonstrate the strength of her desire for legs and her commitment to gaining the chance to live life.
Duality and Transformation
The acquisition of legs represents Ariel's transformation from a mermaid to a human. This change underscores the theme of duality that runs throughout the story. Ariel's journey involves navigating two different worlds, the underwater world of her family and the human world she desires. Legs become the symbol of this transformation, representing the tension between her merfolk identity and her human desires.
Overall, legs in "The Little Mermaid" carry a wealth of symbolic meaning, embodying freedom, exploration, humanity, acceptance, love, and personal transformation.