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. 

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.