Another theme is the mermaid's connection to the unknown and the deep sea. The deep sea is often seen as a place full of mystery and danger in these novels, and mermaids are part of that. For example, mermaids might be guardians of some ancient and evil power hidden in the ocean depths. They will attack anyone who gets too close to this power. This creates a sense of horror as humans are often portrayed as being curious but ignorant of the real danger.
In 'The Little Mermaid' horror might be found in the mermaid's isolation. She leaves her family and everything she knows behind. In the human world, she's alone and vulnerable. There are so many unknowns for her. And the fact that her fate hinges on the love of a man she barely knows is really quite scary. If he doesn't choose her, she faces a very bleak end. It's not the typical happy fairy - tale situation, but rather has elements that can be considered quite horrifying.
Once upon a time, the little mermaid made a deal with the sea witch. But instead of a beautiful transformation, she was cursed. Her voice became a shrill screech that drove all sea creatures mad. Her new legs were made of jagged bones that cut into the sand as she walked. And every step she took was in agony. She was shunned by humans, and in the end, she was dragged back into the ocean by the vengeful sea witch to live a tortured existence in the darkest depths.
In a far - off land, there was a legend of a mermaid queen. She ruled over an underwater kingdom of darkness. A young adventurer, Tom, decided to explore the underwater caves near the coast. He didn't believe in the mermaid horror stories. But as he entered the caves, he saw a strange glow. It was the mermaid queen. Her eyes were like burning coals. She used her magic to create illusions of his worst fears. Tom was trapped, and as he struggled to escape, she sent her minions, hideous half - fish - half - monster creatures, to chase him. He barely escaped with his life, but the horror of that encounter stayed with him forever.
The Little Mermaid could be regarded as a horror story because of the deal she makes with the sea witch. The witch takes her voice in exchange for legs. Imagine being mute in a strange world, not being able to communicate your thoughts or feelings. Also, the idea of walking on knives (how the legs feel to her) is a very cruel and horror - like aspect of the story. And there's always the threat of failure and losing her life that looms over her throughout the story.
The deal with the sea witch is a major horror element. She has to give up her most precious possession, her voice, and endure the transformation into a half - human form that causes her constant pain. It's like a Faustian bargain in a way.
One well - known mermaid horror novel is 'The Mermaid's Curse'. It tells a story about a mermaid that brings misfortune to a coastal town. People start to disappear and strange things happen around the sea.
To retell it as a horror story, you could start with the mermaid's growing obsession with the prince. Show how it drives her to madness. Then, when she's in the human world, make it seem like everyone is out to get her. The prince could be more of a cold and cruel character, and the mermaid's hope slowly turns into despair as she realizes she may never truly be loved by him. Add some spooky events like strange noises at night and shadows following her.
You could start by making the sea witch more evil. Instead of just taking the mermaid's voice, she could take away her memories or her ability to swim properly. The prince could be a cruel character who toys with the mermaid's feelings. And when the mermaid starts to turn into sea foam, it could be a much more violent and painful process, with her body contorting in agony.
In mermaid horror stories, the mermaid's habitat is a key element. It's usually a place full of danger and the unknown, such as a sunken ship graveyard or a hidden underwater grotto filled with strange and menacing sea creatures. Their physical abilities also play a role. They can swim at incredible speeds, making it impossible for humans to escape. And their allure, which is different from the positive allure in regular mermaid stories, is more of a trap. It's like a false beauty that hides their true, malevolent nature. Humans are often attracted by this false charm, only to find out too late the horror that awaits them.