Anxieties or Projections?

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This week’s reading had so many interesting aspects to it, but the one I wanted to focus on was the part where it’s stated that Mermaids can, “shed the nonhuman portion of their bodies and infiltrate the human world. And the shores and banks where we come across them, like the vessels on which we cross their waters, are thresholds between our world and theirs” (xi). I wanted to focus on this part of the reading because, as we have mentioned in class already, humans are scared of the unknown. But what I like about this quote is that it puts that fear into perspective. I want to bring attention to the word “infiltrate” because of the way it makes Mermaids out to be a kind of spy, or someone or something that has sinister intentions…Kind of like humans, no? I think it’s ironic to use the word “infiltrate” when humans have done and continue to do things like this already. I don’t think humans are necessarily scared of Mermaids themselves, but are afraid that they might do to us what we would do to them. I say this because of the idea that Mermaids are part of us; they are part human, meaning they have the capacity to think and act as we do.

I love the idea of saying that humans are projecting onto mermaids, which we have mentioned in class, suggesting that we are scared of them because they are a reflection of ourselves. But it is fascinating to think about the concept that humans are technically just scared of themselves. Especially when it comes to Mermaids, when the text we read this week stated, “like the vessels on which we cross their waters” (xi), I think it’s very hypocritical. I say this because we, as humans, were terrified at the idea of Mermaids coming onto our lands, but we infiltrate their waters every day. Whether it be through boats, submarines, or even just scuba diving, we are in their home all the time. So the idea that Mermaids are scary because of their ability to “look like us” is hypocritical and even hilarious when you think about how many places make silicone/hyper-realistic Mermaid tales. I know that “back in the day” was different, but I still feel that humans projected their hated attributes onto Mermaids to better deal with themselves.

Also, I thought it would be cool to show you all a picture of the Mermaid Mural/Mosaic in my restaurant that I had mentioned on Thursday!

ALSO ALSO, a song I wanted to mention that I hope some people already know that I think is cool and fits our class is Mermaid Song by ConcernedApe. It is from a game called Stardew Valley, and I always love when this song comes on!

Week 2, Mermaids between Fear and Desire

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The introduction of Merpeople: A Human History made me think about many ideas, especially how it connects the question of human nature with the figure of the mermaid. I have usually thought of mermaids as half human and half fish, but I had never tried to study humanity itself through this image. While reading this part, I began to think again about the process of human evolution. We usually explain human history as starting from ape-like ancestors. But if we go further back and imagine the very first ancestors of humans, can we really say that humans and animals are completely different? Today, science has developed so much that we can compare humans and animals in many ways. In the past, however, when science was not developed, the meaning of mermaids may have been much more serious.

In societies where religion had strong power, people probably emphasized the special value of humans by saying that they were created by God. If humans were seen as the chosen beings of God, then the idea of mermaids, creatures that were half human and half animal, would have caused fear. Why did people imagine them as part fish? I think it was because the ocean was considered the most unknown and mysterious place, and fish were the main living creatures there. To people in the past, mermaids could represent the fear of the deep sea. Religion and society may have used this fear as a tool to teach lessons and control people’s actions.

As time passed and science grew, belief in the real existence of mermaids became weaker. But in the modern world, the meaning of the mermaid changed from something scary to something attractive. I think this shows a movement from fear to desire. This reminds me of Cohen’s Monster Theory, which I studied recently. One of his ideas is that monsters can represent attraction and desire. In this way, the use of mermaids today in advertising, branding, or company logos seems to come from this change. What was once a frightening monster has now become a symbol of beauty and charm. Therefore, the mermaid reflects how human imagination turns fear into fascination.

The Illusion of Control in Nature & Lore

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Man is not an animal, at least so the stories of man tell us. The hybridity of a human with an animal in stories is often depicted as unnatural and threatening. Outside the interspecies dating element, it challenges the belief instilled in humans of a superiority on Earth compared to the other creatures that inhabit it. Reinforced within mermaid lore, the animal hybridity with humans is to be avoided or at least conquered to support this human superiority. In the introduction section of The Penguin Book of Mermaids, it is often in stories of mermaids that the human society is characterized as the ideal—being far removed the wilds of nature. This concept is a denial of humans’ own position as an animal on Earth and their part in nature, not a ruler of it.

A line from the reading that caught my attention about the distinction of animal from man is, in referencing mer-marriages, “when the wife is instead an ‘animal bride’ transformed fully into a human, the marriage fails because her domestication as a human wife and mother does not succeed in eradicating her ties with her water kin, or her desire to be in her own skin and element” (xix). To be part of the human society described in mermaid myth means to leave the natural world behind, to deny the animalistic parts of our nature that religion and social norms forbid. Any desire to stay connected to this natural world outside of society will only lead to disappointment, so it is best to avoid those who embrace the parts of themselves outside the alleged morality and ideals of man.

Mermaid Engagement Photo, credit: Del Sol Photography

Attraction to this animal nature in others, that is personified in the mermaid, is not a transgression against the society on its own. Only when this desire is not reformed into human societal ways does the human admit their subservience to nature’s power. Part of humans’ development over thousands of years is to block humanity from the power of nature, but with that protection comes obligations of compliance and denial of what some think as animalistic behavior. The chaos humans interpret from their environment frames their idea that the nature of humans is capable of control over all things, that their order will withstand the power of the natural world.

How Aquatic Humanoids Challenge Our Boundaries as Humans

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After reading “Introduction: The Stories We Tell about Mermaids and other Water Spirits”, one of the things that stood out to me when reading is when the authors said the following: “There is something deeply unsettling about a being whose form merges the human with the nonhuman. Whether they dwell in flesh or salt water, aquatic humanoids raise questions about what it is to be human and what lies beyond a human centered world” (xi).

It uneases us when aquatic humanoids, real or imagined, suspend between the human and the nonhuman. Through their very suspense, stranger like entities challenge us to reconsider the very concept of human existence. By expressing characteristics of the familiar-human faces, voices, gestures-and the aquatic traits such as scales, fins, or tails, they destabilize fixed categories such as nature and culture, human and animal, and land and sea. This ambiguity becomes crucial for there is, in fact, no way to confront the limitations of a human-centered worldview.

Aquatic creatures in tales or movies often confuse our sense of belonging and difference. By defining themselves against the opposites of civilization versus wilderness, body versus environment, and self versus other, humans create these distinctions. A mermaid or sea spirit dismantles these distinctions by existing in both realms and refusing to be neatly categorized. In this manner, with their existence, they point to our dependency on simplifications that might oversimplify the genuine complexity of being. If something can be both human and not human, then what marks the boundary of humanism itself? This question settles with immense power in an age of ecological crisis, wherein human survival is interdependent with the nonhuman world.

The image of the sea only further intensifies the presence of aquatic humanoids. Unlike the somewhat steadfast land, the ocean represents fluidity, instability, and unknowability. It diminishes the idea that humans are always in control. Aquatic humanoids living in that represents uncertainty in itself. They embody the notion of a lure into the abyss and a refusal of human-centered control. Their hybridity conveys distinctive meanings: that identity and existence require relationships that breach perceived barriers-between bodies, species, and environments.

In a wider sense, these aquatic humanoids are not just mythical creatures of fascinating creatures, they also remind us to realize the limits we have as humans.

These aquatic humanoids remind us that we humans are not the center of everything and that contemplating a life full of possibilities beyond ourselves is a consideration of a more intertwined and interdependent world.

Monster V. Human

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As I was reading the introduction of The Penguin Book of Mermaids, something that stood out to me was the idea that humans “are strangely drawn to the other who is in part a mirror image of us and appears within reach, even if mentally ungraspable” (pg xi). There is this push and pull between humans and the unknown – where we are drawn but also fear what we cannot understand. While mermaids and other hybrid creatures have some sort of human element within them, there is also this otherness that accompanies the human aspect of the creature. Why, in turn, are humans engrossed in something that also repels them? 

As humans, we crave order and organization but mermaids and other “monsters” allow us to explore the messy and untouched aspects of our identities. Living in a society that champions heteronormativity, humans often want to stay within the norm for fear of rejection if they deviate from what is supposedly normal and lose their social status. However, hybrid creatures give us insight into what could be if the limits of social norms and expectations were lifted. Specifically, mermaids can tap into the desires and lust that humans are too afraid to explore in real life. This is particularly relevant for women since society frequently looks down on women who explore their sexuality or sexual desires due to it not being seen as “ladylike.” Therefore, mermaids scare us because they may represent this element of humanity that is repressed as a response of societal norms. These creatures permit us to envision a being that is ungoverned by the stresses of society, a version of us in a primal form that is untarnished by expectations. Who are we without the rules of society governing our lives or religion telling us what is right or wrong? It is this anxiety that produces our fear of hybrid creatures, such as the mermaid, because we haven’t lived in a world without guidelines on how to be. Yet, we are fascinated and continue to come back to these creatures because humans are curious by nature – we crave to explore the unknown and the other. Subsequently, mermaids and other hybrids provide the perfect canvas to explore the messy bits of humanity that we don’t want to confront in the real world.

The Secret Life of the Mer-Wife

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In this week’s reading, the concept of a “mer-wife” piqued my attention, because here we have the mermaid crossing into the human realm—the mermaid’s double life, as we have seen in many TV series or movies. These stories, the mermaid must decide between her life in the sea and life as a human; she can’t “have it all.” For the name of love, without any knowledge of the human realm outside her partner, she chooses to give up her life and marry the man she has just met. The Penguin Book of Mermaids describes the concept of the mer-wife to the desire of men: “These tales speak to the discrepancy between men’s longing for a woman unfettered by social mores and their attempt to control her by domesticating her.” (xviii). To men, the mer-wife is their perfect fantasy of an ‘untamable’ woman ‘domesticated’ by their masculinity.

I think it is interesting that once a mermaid has decided to live the ‘human’ life, they are ‘domesticated’, similar to how we describe a pet. In these stories, the mermaid giving up her life for one that will forever be controlled by the perspective of the man she marries is slightly disturbing. The concept feels disturbing because she has not developed her own thoughts and is essentially childlike. The mer-wife has a very innocent, naive perspective on the human world. Men desire an unattainable woman, and desire to be the one to teach her how to ‘live’. Similar to how a parent teaches their child how to navigate society. There is this weird undertone of infantilization towards the ‘mer-wife”.

This concept reminds me of a story told in Merpeople: A Human History about two women who found a mermaid and showed her the path of God, and saved her, essentially ‘domesticating’ her to live in the realm we humans deem ‘acceptable’. The idea that once again the ‘other’ can be conditioned and molded into living in our society. Men and women are domesticating the mermaid in the patriarchal society.

In the realm of feminism, to have women and men neglect the mermaid of choice showcases similar issues we have today. Not allowing the mermaid to choose to live both lives or have a life of her own, because a woman cannot “have it all,” demonstrates feminist issues still occurring today. The mer-wife showcases the constraints women are forced into in a patriarchal society.

Mermaids and the Environment

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When I first think of mermaids I think of fantasy, danger or beauty, not the environment. However, after reading “Introduction: The Stories We Tell About Mermaids and Other Water Spirts” (Penguin) I noticed that mermaid stories are deeply tied to water and our relationship with the natural world. Mermaids are more than just a mythical being. I think they symbolize the way humans view nature as both beautiful and essential to life but also as threatening.

On pages xiv-xv the reading explains that the stories of water spirits reflect “Our fascination with and fear of female bodies and of water and our dread of predators or poisonous creatures that live in or near water” but also our dependence on water for survival. Water gives us life but it can also take it away. I think this connects to the way mermaids are portrayed. Beautiful, fascinating, but also dangerous. Just like the ocean, mermaids attract people while still having the power or capabilities to destroy them. 

This reading also showed that mermaids are global. They appeared in stories from Europe, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas. On page xv, it points out that these mermaid myths were spread through colonization and trade. I think this shows how universal water is. All cultures develop different versions of mermaids or water spirits but they all share the same experience that water is something stronger than we can control. 

One line that stood out to me on page xx is “Water spirits, like water, are powerful, unpredictable, and inspiring- that is, both terrifying and wonderful”. This explains why mermaids act as a symbol to remind us of water’s beauty and mystery but also of its dangers. Today, oceans are threatened by pollution and climate change. I think mermaids could become an image for environmental awareness and show that it’s our responsibility to protect it. Overall, I enjoyed this reading and it made me see mermaids as not just a fantasy creature but as a reflection of humans relationship with water. 

Week 3: The Relationship between Man and Mermaid

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Mermaids. Often described as beautiful, majestic, half woman – half fish hybrids, roaming the deep waters of the ocean and visiting land for a glimpse of mankind. The myths surrounding hybrid sea monsters have existed for centuries upon centuries – and yet, I have begun to see as we dive deeper into the immense history of these wonderful beings, there seems to be similar patterns regarding storytelling that have remained stable since the dawn of human to mermaid relationships.

One particular example I want to focus on is discussed in the Penguin Book of Mermaids: Introduction, in regards to the romantic relationship between mermaid and man. Of course, the same as many others, I know of many tales in which the hopeless romantic mermaid falls in love with her mysterious Human male counterpart, and typically, by the end of the story, has given up her life in the sea to be with him. As mentioned in the book, there is a trend in which mermaids come to shore expected to be “domesticated” to fit the idea of a perfect wife and mother. The mermaid is seen as wild and carefree, something the human male must correct to integrate her with his society. This directly correlates with the misogynistic viewpoints and stereotypes we still see today. Correlating with what we have discussed in class, the church used mermaids as a scare tactic – something for men to be cautious of. In other words – the dangers of women and their femininity. Why is it that the mermaid is expected to conform to the human male society and not reversed?

I do not know any mainstream or popular stories in which a merman falls in love with an onshore woman, ready to give up his life at sea for her. The story is deeply rooted into our society’s misogynistic and patriarchal beliefs centered around how women should act and behave in the company or relationships of men. This aspect of mermaids and sea monsters in general (including selkies) is something I never imagined spending so much focus and attention on, yet the representation of mermaids as “objects” vs a being is something I am very interested in diving deeper into.

Week 2 Blog: Merpeople

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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.

Introduction

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Hello everyone! My name is Janette Rodriguez. I was born and raised in San Diego. I’m currently a senior here at SDSU, having only transferred from Mesa College last year. I’m majoring in English & Comparative Literature. I’ve always been passionate about the art of storytelling, language, and the diverse experiences one can encounter and learn about through literature. Like many of us, I too have hopes of becoming a professor and a published author. My goal after graduation is to purse my masters degree and further my academic growth.

Some of my hobbies include reading, journaling/scrapbooking, watching films, collecting vinyl, making silly videos with my friends, and film photography. I’m particularly fond of reading sci-fi and dystopian novels the most, but I will honestly read anything recommended.


I’m especially excited to explore the history of mermaids and how they contribute to the changing attitudes about the environment. I look forward to learning from and with all of you!