Talk:Ariel/@comment-5911037-20121225212403/@comment-1672596-20130108170125

She (Belle) may have been selfless the first time she took her father's place, but I'd question the second time, since she put the Beast and the other servants in mortal danger thanks to her action, which effectively made her selfish. Now, if she pulled a fourth option (the third obviously being marrying Gaston) and managed to burn the paddywagon, and make off with her father to the Beast's castle while the villagers were distracted trying to put out the fire, then you might have a point about her not being selfish. She and her actions directly resulted in the attack on the Beast's castle, so she was indeed being selfish that time, not even thinking about what would happen as a result, or caring, either.

And regardless of whether she was a mermaid, she still saved Eric. She could have easily just let him drown, or heck, even just stayed just to watch him drown with some amusement (which, had she been selfish, that's exactly what she would have done), but she didn't. And in case you've forgotten, Ariel DID stand up for herself. It was also her movie that resurrected the Disney franchise when it was nearing bankruptcy, so effectively, she was indeed responsible for it.