While there are many a siren and water spirit tales, the pattern tends to be the fact that there is a sense of betrayal and or seductive nature to them and after reading the section from Undine, it follows a similar structure to the other ones that have been included in “The Penguin Book of Mermaids.” Despite the common motifs, this specific section has more of an actual emotional complexity which makes the reveal that much more impactful compared to the other tales and this very depth is also explained by the overall atmosphere in which Huldbrand resides in.

Now, that is not to say that the relationship Sir Huldbrand and Undine was completely fabricated without any true intimacy, but should be mentioned that their environment and social status definitely made in impact on their lives. In instance in the tale where it is evident that their relationship was also shaped by their social status and atmosphere is when they are speaking about going their separate ways and Huldbrand is hesitant to do so, “‘remember, even if I wished to desert you, the church, and the spiritual powers, and the emperor, and the empire, would interpose and bring the fugitive back again'” (102). Considering that Huldbrand says this while they their is quite a significant flood going on, this as well could be an indication that he only stayed their and only planned it continue to be there because of the storm that was occurring in the meanwhile. As time goes on and Huldbrand begins to question himself and others, he continues to be a subject of his own environment due to how much he prioritizes what the people would say if they found out as well as the natural disasters that are impeding him from doing what he wants to do, which is to be his true self and leave the shore but once he realizes that he is a victim of his own mentality, it is too late.