I think the introduction and Chapter 1 of Merpeople by Vaughn Scribner was very interesting and provided a new, deeper perspective on the symbol of mermaids. I find it unsurprising that mermaids were originally used to represent women in a negative, sexual light in order to perpetuate and uphold the power dynamic between men and women. Mermaids are seen as seductive, not to be trusted, and monstrous while mermen are seen as powerful leaders, even resembling gods like Posiden. I find it interesting how men felt the need to portray women in such a negative way while trying to repress them, however they did portray them in a way that is meant to be feared, which makes me wonder what they were so fearful of? I also had thoughts about the hybridity of mermaids: woman and fish. I remember from class some early Greek examples of woman hybrids included harpies, woman and bird alongside sirens, woman and fish. I find it interesting that when referencing Greek images, later men decided to expand upon and popularize the fish imagery. In comparison to the bird, the fish is much less free and more full of mystery since it is confined to the ocean which is largely unexplored. It also tends to have more negative connotations since it has to do with the dark depths and “below” land. The bird, on the other hand, is much more free and can fly as high as it wants while also enjoying land. Perhaps they chose the mermaid imagery to emphasize more to reinforce the control on women that they wanted.