Ashley Rubin 

May 9, 2024

Pressman 

ECL 305 

Reflections of Vanity: From Myth to Modernity

The phenomenon of selfies serves as an example of the continuation of a focus on female beauty and vanity. The article Displays of Vanity on Instagram by Marije Peute and Annemarije Rus explains this cultural obsession with self-image reflection on a broader crisis in understanding the meaning and implications of vanity in the digital age, where platforms like social media have reshaped perceptions of beauty and self-worth. By examining the symbolism of vanity drawn from Christian beliefs, particularly in the portrayal of mermaids in mythology as depicted in the stories Ti Jeanne and Melusine, the continual cultural beliefs of beauty standards can be understood. 

The story Ti Jeanne from the Penguin Book of Mermaids presents ways vanity has been shown through mythical stories. The story originates from the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago and African descent. The story revolves around Ti Jeanne, who in a moment of solitude indulges in the seemingly harmless act of admiring her reflection in the water. However, her actions attract the attention of Maman Dlo, who scolds Ti Jeanne for her vanity. “‘Vanity, vanity, my child,’ said Maman Dlo, who was now fully seven feet erect on her snake body, swaying from side to side. ‘Looking at yourself in the water’s reflection. But beautiful you are, ssssssso beautiful! Mmh, mmh!” (Penguin, 276). Maman Dlo admires Ti Jeanne’s beauty but does not think she has the right to admire it herself. In many stories, mermaids are depicted as creatures obsessed with their beauty, spending amounts of time gazing at themselves in mirrors. The water acts as the mirror in this story, a common symbol of vanity. Ti Jeanne admiring herself is presented as a negative in this tale, implying that vanity is bad for women.  

The story Melusine descends from French writer Jean d’Arras. The story is believed to take place in either Europe or Scotland. Melusine tells the tale of a mysterious woman named Melusine who marries a mortal man, Raymond. Melusine, however, harbors a secret of being a shape-shifting water spirit with a serpent tail. She makes Raymond promise never to intrude upon her privacy on Saturdays, but eventually, he succumbs to curiosity and spies on her leading to him discovering her true form. As a result, Melusine is forced to leave him and their children. When Raymond spies on Melusine she is pictured in a bathtub holding a mirror. Melusine had been taking her one day alone to appreciate herself and her beauty. Vanity is displayed differently in this story compared to the story of Ti Jeanne. The presentation of vanity is less apparent in Melusine’s story, but it is there. Melusine’s transformation into a serpent-like creature on Saturdays and insistence on privacy during that time can be interpreted as a form of vanity or a desire to maintain a certain image or identity. Her transformation suggests a fear of being seen in her true form, indicating a preoccupation with appearance and maintaining a facade of normalcy. This idea and the presentation of her admiring her appearance explain the vanity apparent in the story. 

Selfies play a large role in society today due to the presence of social media which has created new beauty standards. The article Displays of Vanity on Instagram by Marije Peute and Annemarije Rus explains this cultural obsession with self-image reflection. The article explains how selfies have become extremely popular on social media, but there are negative aspects to sharing these photos. Selfies can often be seen as vain or self-indulgent rather than an appreciation of one’s beauty. The article states “Vanity is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as ‘the personal characteristic of being too proud of and interested in yourself, esp. in your appearance or achievements.” The definition of vanity implies that it is a negative thing to appreciate oneself and that it could relate to self-obsession and less consideration for others. This can directly be tied to the themes presented in Ti Jeanne and Melusine. 

The negative connotations associated with vanity are prominently highlighted in Displays of Vanity on Instagram and the tales of Ti Jeanne and Melusine. The symbolism of vanity in mermaids traces back to the teachings of the Christian Church, where vanity is portrayed as a sinful trait. Mermaids in stories often wield objects like mirrors to symbolize their vanity which directly links to the sin of pride, one of the seven deadly sins in the Christian Church. These ancient beliefs have had a lasting impact on how vanity is perceived in society today. These negative associations have influenced societal attitudes towards self-love and self-expression. In both the stories of Melusine and Ti Jeanne, the presence of mirrors serves as a representation of vanity, reinforcing the narrative’s themes. In contemporary culture, selfies have emerged as a modern manifestation of vanity, with the camera itself becoming a symbol of self-admiration and narcissism. The enduring symbolism of vanity in mythology, literature, and modern media underscores the complex interaction between cultural norms, religious beliefs, and individual expression. Presentation and historical background are credited for the current beliefs around vanity. While it might not be all people who believe that selfies and self-love are negative, it is a common belief due to the background of the trait. 

The historical background of vanity in mermaids connects it to human beings, specifically women. Vanity is not only something that comes with negative connotations but also comes with literal consequences. Ti Jeanne’s story results in her being turned into a snake because of her self-admiration. By transforming Ti Jeanne into a mermaid/snake, the story draws a parallel between her actions and the archetype of the vain mermaid, suggesting that her preoccupation with her appearance aligns her with mermaids. This compares to modern-day society through hate comments on social media. When human beings display vanity on social media the punishment can be hateful comments on the post or behind an individual’s back. Once again, this consequence derives from the historical context of vanity. Many people post selfies in an attempt to gain validation from others as explained by Marije Peute and Annemarije Rus. While sometimes posting a selfie is met with the validation of positive comments, other times it is met with hate which can hurt an individual’s self-confidence and love even more. The consequences of vanity are also apparent in Melusine’s story. While she was simply trying to take one day of the week to herself to be alone and appreciate her beauty and true self, she was ultimately punished for it. When Raymond breaks his promise and invades her privacy, Melusine is the one who has to leave her life behind. This relates to vanity as it implies that a woman taking time to herself to admire, appreciate, and relish in her beauty is something that needs to be punished. Selfies are simply the modern-day portrayal of vanity and its consequences can be directly related to past myths of female vanity. 

Perceptions of beauty and how it should be displayed have always been taught through a form of media. Beginning with literature and mythical tales, Melusine and Ti Jeanne display that beauty should not be flaunted or appreciated by women themselves. Shifting into the digital age, social media posts dictate how much beauty should be shared with the public. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have become modern-day canvases where individuals showcase their idealized versions of beauty to an audience. However, this digital era has brought forth new pressures surrounding beauty standards. Influencers and celebrities often set unrealistic beauty standards, leading to feelings of inadequacy among those who perceive themselves as falling short. The relentless pursuit of perfection can perpetuate harmful beauty ideals, creating a culture of comparison and self-doubt. While social media offers a platform for self-expression and creativity, it also poses challenges in navigating the fine line between empowerment and exploitation in the pursuit of beauty. When those who fit the beauty standards share selfies they are often praised for their confidence and looks. On the other hand, when those who might not fit the ideal beauty standards of today’s society post selfies they are criticized and labeled as vain. The study conducted in Displays of Vanity on Instagram proves these feelings that women are experiencing. “Marije considers herself vain in certain respects, loving beautiful clothing and receiving validation from others, which she considers a human need. However, she denounces a striving for ‘perfection’. She takes only a few selfies,” (Peute et Rus, 17). This quote explains how vanity and selfies relate to one another and beauty standards. The subject of the study believes that she is not completely vain because she only takes “a few selfies”. This implies that those who share more photos of themselves online are extremely vain and seeking validation from others. This can cause harm to the younger generations beginning to use social media. Rather than being a form of self-expression and appreciation, sharing selfies on social media has become something that is seen to be only for validation and a feeling of vanity. 

The portrayal of beauty has navigated diverse mediums from ancient literature to modern-day social media. The narratives of Melusine and Ti Jeanne underscored societal expectations dictating how beauty should be perceived and displayed, emphasizing modesty and reservation while also implying that vanity is unfavorable. However, the emergence of digital platforms has ushered in a new era where users have unprecedented control over their self-image and presentation of beauty. Amidst the opportunities for self-expression, social media has also intensified the pressures of conformity and perfection, creating unrealistic standards that can weaken self-esteem and mental well-being. Vanity is still the common factor in shaming women for their expression of beauty beginning in these mythical tales and continuing to modern-day society. The negative perceptions of women expressing their beauty have been blamed on the beliefs of the Christian Church that appointed vanity as a sin. Ultimately, the evolution of beauty through media underscores the enduring search for acceptance and validation, reminding us of the profound complexities inherent in the human experience.

Works Cited 

Bacchilega, Cristina, and Marie Alohalani Brown. The Penguin Book of Mermaids. Penguin Books, 2019. 

Peute, Marije, and Annemarije Rus. “Displays of Vanity on Instagram: A Reflection on the Making of Instaworthy.” Etnofoor, vol. 33, no. 1, 2021, pp. 11–20. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/27034456. Accessed 7 May 2024.