Why does Scuttle go underwater?

Scuttle, the seagull from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, is known for his silly antics and tendency to get words wrong. However, one of Scuttle’s most intriguing behaviors is his ability to dive underwater to visit Ariel and her aquatic friends. As a seagull, Scuttle would not naturally be able to swim or hold his breath, so his underwater adventures have left many viewers puzzled.

Scuttle’s Role in The Little Mermaid

In The Little Mermaid film, Scuttle serves as a friend, watcher, and informant to Ariel about all things human. He finds human objects that have sunk to the ocean floor and offers Ariel (often inaccurate) information about what the items are used for. Despite meaning well, Scuttle does not actually know much about humans or life on land. Still, Ariel values him as a companion who shares her curiosity for the human world.

Scuttle also acts as a lookout for Ariel, keeping an eye above the waves for danger and activity. He witnesses Ariel saving Prince Eric from the shipwreck at the start of the film. Later, he sees Vanessa (Ursula in disguise) casting a spell to enchant Eric on a nearby beach. On both occasions, Scuttle rushes to inform Ariel of the news underwater.

Finally, Scuttle provides key help later in the film when Ursula takes Ariel’s voice. At Sebastian’s urging, Scuttle distracts Ursula while Eric climbs on board her boat to stop her. Though silly, Scuttle proves himself a brave and loyal friend by directly taking on the powerful sea witch.

Scuttle’s Underwater Capabilities

Scuttle displays the ability to dive down and swim underwater throughout the film. He does not seem encumbered by a lack of gills, feathers unsuited for swimming, or an inability to breathe underwater. Within moments of spotting Ariel saving Eric, Scuttle appears by her side chatting merrily. He also has no issues locating and visiting Ariel in her grotto.

This raises the question – how does Scuttle manage extended periods underwater without any clear aquatic adaptations? Some possibilities include:

• Magic – As a companion of both Ariel and King Triton, perhaps Scuttle benefits from their magical protection and abilities when underwater.
• Cartoon physics – The film does not strictly adhere to real-world limitations, so Scuttle may simply defy physics for comic effect.
• Offscreen explanations – Scuttle may have found ways to hold his breath, prepared underwater air pockets, or gained other capabilities that the film does not show.
• Production oversight – The filmmakers may not have worried about explaining how a seagull can go underwater.

While magic could be a legitimate reason in the film’s universe, there is no clear indication that Scuttle has special powers granted to him. However, the other explanations remain plausible. The film makes no attempt to realistically depict how long Scuttle can remain underwater, how deep he can dive, or how he manages to swim without ever showing signs of fatigue.

Scuttle’s Underwater Adventures

Throughout the film, Scuttle makes several memorable entrances and contributions while underwater. Here are some of his notable underwater scenes:

Informing Ariel About Eric

After witnessing Ariel save Eric from drowning, Scuttle immediately dives down to share the news. He tells her enthusiastically that he saw her “swimming and kissing” with a human. Though Scuttle gets the details wrong, he alerts Ariel to the nearby shipwreck and existence of Prince Eric.

Congratulating Ariel in Her Grotto

Later in the film, Scuttle pops up in Ariel’s grotto to congratulate her on making progress with Eric. He remains just as lively and talkative while surrounded by water, merfolk, and sunken human treasures.

Celebrating with Ariel and Her Sisters

When Ariel’s sisters discover that Ariel is in love with a human prince, they initially react with concern and disappointment. But after some reassurance from Sebastian, the sisters eagerly agree to help Ariel pursue Eric. In celebration, Scuttle joins Ariel, her sisters, and other sea creatures in a joyful underwater dance sequence.

Informing Ariel About Vanessa

After spotting Vanessa using Ariel’s voice to charm Eric, Scuttle hurriedly dives down and pulls a reluctant Sebastian with him to tell Ariel. His news alerts Ariel to the urgent need to stop Vanessa and break Ursula’s spell.

Distracting Ursula

When Ursula transforms into a giant and takes Ariel hostage, Scuttle bravely confronts her directly. He frantically flies around Ursula’s head trying to distract her while Eric climbs onto her boat. Though silly, this act displays Scuttle’s dedication as a friend.

In each of these scenes, Scuttle readily transitions from air to water and interacts normally with the underwater cast. The film makes no attempt to explain how Scuttle achieves this physically. Instead, his ability to dive down at any time serves the story events and adds to the humor.

Scuttle’s Purpose

Rather than getting bogged down by logistics, the film uses Scuttle’s implausible diving ability to fulfill his role in the story. As a messenger and helper to Ariel, Scuttle needs to move flexibly between the worlds of air and sea. His antics add levity between dramatic moments. And his valiant willingness to confront Ursula shows devotion despite his incompetence elsewhere.

If the film relied on detailed realism, Scuttle would have a far more limited part. Every dive would require elaborate preparations and recovery time. Instead, the film makes use of cartoon license to craft entertaining and poignant scenes. We accept Scuttle’s underwater exploits because they advance the story and reflect his personality as a character. In the end, the focus stays rightfully on Ariel and Eric’s romance, with Scuttle contributing humor and loyalty along the way.

Conclusion

Scuttle’s ability to dive freely underwater throughout The Little Mermaid is implausible in realistic terms but serves his purpose in the story. The film does not bog itself down trying to explain how a seagull could swim and breathe as easily as a fish. Instead, it uses cartoon fantasy and willing suspension of disbelief to let Scuttle move between air and sea. This allows him to be present for key events related to Ariel and the human world. While we may wonder how Scuttle manages such feats as viewers, what matters is the story, entertainment, and imagination the film provides. In the end, Scuttle lets us all suspend reality for a little while to enjoy a memorable Disney fairy tale.

In summary, Scuttle plays an important supporting role for Ariel throughout the film. His ability to dive freely into her underwater world allows him to be present for many pivotal story moments. The movie does not bog itself down explaining how this is possible. Instead, it uses Scuttle’s implausible diving skills to advance the plot and contribute humor. While scientifically inaccurate, the imaginative storytelling gives us delightful adventures with one of Disney’s most memorable seagull companions.

Scuttle’s presence underwater provides some much needed comic relief throughout the film. As Ariel’s helpful yet bumbling friend, Scuttle lightens the mood after dramatic moments and reminds viewers not to take the story too seriously. His enthusiasm despite his lack of knowledge shows that good intentions and loyalty matter more than expertise. And his willingness to directly engage powerful villains like Ursula proves he is braver than he seems.

Letting Scuttle move freely between land and sea also allows him to serve as a bridge between worlds. He represents Ariel’s longing to understand humans better and gain access to their world. As a seagull familiar with both realms, Scuttle facilitates Ariel’s desires and curiosity despite their differences. This reflects one of the major themes of the film – overcoming divides between separate worlds to find understanding.

The film contains many fantastical elements, with underwater kingdoms, magic spells, and mystical sea creatures. So Scuttle’s implausible diving ability fits right in with the fairy tale atmosphere. Strict realism would only undermine the sense of wonder, imagination, and whimsy that makes the story special. Embracing fantasy instead of logic helps make the film so delightful and lasting.

Scuttle’s talent for diving also provides fun, kinetic animation for viewers. The scenes of him swooping, swimming, and engaging with underwater characters create exciting motion and energy on screen. They provide active visual elements to balance out scenes of slower dialogue or exposition. Letting Scuttle move effortlessly through the ocean allows for more dynamic and engaging animation.

So while we may logically wonder how Scuttle manages to function so well underwater, the storytellers knew not to get hung up on realistic limits. Rules of biology and physics often need to be stretched in service of imagination, entertainment, and great animation. Suspending disbelief about Scuttle’s capabilities lets us simply sit back and enjoy the ride. In the end, the purpose of great family films like The Little Mermaid is to inspire joy and flights of fancy. Overthinking the plausibility of playful sidekicks like Scuttle would only undermine the fun.

Scuttle’s seemingly impossible diving skills underscore that The Little Mermaid is not meant as a realistic portrayal of underwater life. Instead, it uses marine settings and creatures as the backdrop for telling a lyrical fairy tale. Literal accuracy takes a back seat to imagination, wonder, drama, and humor. The writers knew not to restrict themselves by explaining away all the fantastical elements. Doing so would only detract from the storytelling.

The film makes use of marine environments to create beauty, high stakes, and contrasts between different worlds. But it does not aim for factual reliability when it comes to animal behaviors and abilities. Embracing fantasy allows the film to achieve a magical mood of romance, adventure, and melody. Grounding it too much in reality would likely make The Little Mermaid far less enchanting.

Letting Scuttle dive straight into Ariel’s world shows how flexibility with physics can serve creativity. It enables the uplifting musical number “Under the Sea,” the fun of their underwater dance party, touching moments in her grotto, and Scuttle’s heroics against Ursula. Strict accuracy would preclude such memorable scenes. So overlooking logistics allows for greater storytelling, emotion, and enjoyment.

The willingness to bend realities is part of what makes animation so imaginative and transporting. Films like The Little Mermaid remind us that simply abandoning logic in favor of fantasy can take us to wondrous places. Scuttle’s underwater antics charm us because they feel part of an exciting dream world without limits. Overanalyzing his implausible diving is unnecessary in such a spirited fairy tale.

So in the end, it does not really matter how Scuttle achieves his incredible plunge diving abilities. The point is the delight, amusement, and sense of adventure it brings to the film. The storytellers knew not to undermine all that by fixating on realism and explanations. Instead, they gave us a magical experience beyond the literal. And Scuttle’s underwater escapades will continue entertaining imaginations of all ages for generations to come.