Author Archives: Myles Wright

Week 6: Freakshows and Fantasies

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“The Feejee Mermaid Hoax” and “Freakshows and Fantasies” both demonstrate the Western obsession with mermaids and the efforts at “ordering the natural world and its creatures” that continued from the Enlightenment period (Scribner, 129). In Barnum’s autobiography from 1854, he discusses the Feejee Mermaid Hoax, but also outlines a historical account of mermaid sightings and displays. Barnum describes the mermaid as a “fabulous animal”, and yet, continually applies Western beauty standards to the mermaid sightings and displays. He views the mermaid as animal or other, but not enough for them to be free of our judgment.

While almost every recorded mermaid sighting occurred in the British Isles or America, both readings pointed at “the ‘Oriental’ allure of Asia (that) still held sway of the Western masses” (Scribner, 126). In 1758 a mermaid exhibited at the fair of St. Germaine’s in France was described as “female, with ugly negro features. The skin was harsh, the ears very large…” (Penguin, 243). Here, Western beauty standards, and clear racism, is being applied to the mermaid, even though they are viewed as animal or other. However, in London in 1775, a mermaid exhibited was determined to be an “Asiastic mermaid… young female- its eyes a fine light blue- its nose small and handsome- its mouth small- its lips thin- its chin well shaped- its breasts are fair and fall… the belly is round and swelling, but there is no navel…” (Penguin, 243). The mermaid that was suspected to come from the Archipelago seems to meet the Western standard of human beauty.

Also, the detail of the rounded belly lacking a navel points out the ongoing question of how mermaids reproduce. If there is no navel, it must widely differ from the human birthing process. I find it interesting that this detail was included in the 1775 exhibit.

In mermaid sighting and captures from earlier in 1187 and 1430, they both appeared close to human, but were said to not be able to speak, Barnum states “that nothing seem wanting to it (the mermaid) but speech” (Penguin, 242). The mermaids lack of speech seems to be another separating factor between us or other, as well as if the mermaid was even deemed satisfactory.

Week 4: Water Beings of Pacific Islands, Inuit, and North America

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Many of the Indigenous tales from around the world depict water beings in many different ways. Whether the beings are male or female, obliging or obstructive, their appearance closer to human or other, and if they are perceived by the people as benign or malevolent. These cross cultural bodies appear in many different ways. Though in some tales I found similarities.

In “The Tuna (Eel) of Lake Vaihiria”, the young princess Hina is expected to marry the King of Vailhiria, whose physical appearance is that of an “immense eel”. With help from the spirit-like man Maui, the head of the eel provides a coconut tree for her. In Sedna, a mistreated and wronged woman becomes a water spirit with the “head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish”.

In these two tales, the water beings provide for the people through resources such as food and even shelter, though the tales are from different parts of the world, Pacific Islands and Inuit people. The stories may reflect what the people needed most at the time, resources. In the Tuna story, the eel is the malevolent being promised to a beautiful young girl, however, his cut off head provides food for her and her new-found family. This is done through the form of a bountiful coconut tree. In the Sedna story, she is taken advantage by a bird-man, and later betrayed by her father. However, after becoming a powerful sea spirit, she provides food for the Inuit ” who rely on these animals want to maintain a good relationship with Sedna” by keeping her happy with “certain taboos” or traditions. These ancient origin myths might serve as an explanation for environments, resources and knowledge. Though different in many ways, they are also similar.

Week 2/3: Merpeople: A Human History

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In Merpeople: A Human History, Chapter 1, Medieval Monsters, discusses how the mermaid evolved throughout the Medieval period. During this period, the mermaid defined and reflected Western ideas of religion, sex, and power. This chapter specifically focuses on the Christian churches use of the mermaid. The Christian church and its symbols adapted from the ones of pagan, including mermaids. Similarly, the representation and appearance of Jesus was as well. Because many pagan Gods were both male and female “many early Christian images of Jesus appeared androgynous, with Jesus boasting feminine hips, suggestions of breasts and a beautiful face” (36). The image of a male Jesus we recognize today was created in the Middle Ages as the church tried to distance itself from pagan pasts. 

Mermaids became a symbol of the church and evolved from a more hideous creature to an enticing and female creature. Mermaids became overly feminine, for the church women representing lust, weakness, and mens falling from grace, and now so did mermaids. But why would illustrations of mermaids be present in a church? As the book says “What better way to demonstrate the titillations of the flesh than to display an enticing image in the holiest of spaces?” (39). The beautiful, female mermaid served as a warning against flesh and desire in the church, which derived greatly from some of the oldest images of mermaids as sirens or half birds. Still, both were made to remind men “of her ability to steal their souls” (41). Like many symbols, the representation and meaning of them changes depending on who controls them, or obtains the “power”. 

Before reading, I was unaware of the history behind how mermaids were represented, and how we’ve come to know them today. I was even shocked at how the image of Jesus was changed and used, similar to the mermaid. 

Introduction

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Hi! My name is Myles Wright and I am currently a second year at SDSU. I am majoring in English and minoring in Public Health. So far, I have loved my time at SDSU learning about all kinds of literature. I have always loved mermaids and that is what initially drew me to this class. Based off our one class this week, I am already looking forward to all our readings and learning more about the historical backgrounds on mermaids and what they represent in literature. Also working on my essay writing and critical analysis skills.

I am from Atlanta, Georgia, and living in San Diego has been a dream. As well as my love for reading, I love the outdoors, hiking and backpacking, and exploring more of San Diego and California. I love the weather here and the beach, and have made wonderful friends and connections during my time here. I am currently reading the MaddAdam trilogy by Margaret Atwood and loving it so far. I’m looking forward to meeting more of ya’ll and learning more in this course!