This week’s poem “We are Mermaids” by Stephanie Burt was an interesting read. There’s a lot to dissect from the poem, but one main theme I found was human connection to nature. The first stanza makes a clear comparison between humans and the Ocean, it reads, “The salt of the ocean is always the salt of tears, melancholy but at the right dilution, or concentration, life giving.” In this quote, salt serves as a commonality between the Ocean and human tears. Both are bodies of water, and this suggests they both carry sadness that can fruit new opportunities. I found this very interesting, if I had read this quote before this class I would have wondered “how is the Ocean melancholy?” I knew the ocean had power; I see it in the crashing waves when I visit the beach, but I had never associated it with having feelings. Now having the context of this class, I understand the Ocean not only as an archive that holds history but also emotions. Overall, Burt prompts a reevaluation of human relationship to nature to recognize the symmetry between the two.
Literature and the Environment: Mermaids
Professor Jessica Pressman. Spring 2024
Wonderful post and particularly appreciate your ending: “Now having the context of this class, I understand the Ocean not only as an archive that holds history but also emotions. Overall, Burt prompts a reevaluation of human relationship to nature to recognize the symmetry between the two.” Thinking of the ocean as an archive of emotions seems very powerful; can we discuss this in class today?
Hey Kimberly, I really enjoyed reading your response. I totally agree with you in that I could have never understood the Ocean as history or being an archive, but especially having emotions. Something I thought of when I read this was thinking about how sometimes people will say, “the ocean looks angry,” when it is stormy and cloudy with big waves. This also kinda ties back to the story we just read in that the wajinru could conjure up enough energy to start a storm, which Yetu referred to as their frustrations being the source of that energy.
Hi Kimberly! I really enjoyed reading your response and concluded similar ideas myself! The connection between humanity and nature was very apparent to me in this poem and I think you did a great job of finding specific examples. I also agree that I would not have been able to put such a connection together before taking this class. What we have learned throughout the course definitely helps us understand these connections and deeper meanings better!
Hi Kimberly! This is a great analysis. I also discussed the connection between nature and humanity established in the first stanza. I love how you mentioned that the Ocean is an archive of emotions. Just as the Ocean holds history and secrets spanning generations, it also carries the weight of countless human experiences. This resilience of the Ocean is truly something to be admired, and I like that you observe that humanity can learn through the natural world.