Category Archives: Midterm Close Reading Assignment

Midterm – Close Reading

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Karina Garcia

Jessica Pressman

ECL 305

31 March 2024

‘The Little Mermaid’

The Little Mermaid’s determination to convert from mermaid to human reflects the similar qualities that should be expected to be found in humans, which slowly erases the barrier that differentiates who and what is human and nonhuman. Andersen conveys the message of determination by presenting the obstacles that were put before the Little Mermaid as she was trying to convert her fishtail into a pair of human legs and to obtain an immortal soul, thus making her a powerful sea creature who allows humanistic traits like determination to guide her life decisions. This is significant as it develops equality for nonhumans by not only showing the trait of determination but by also showing the humanistic traits they possess that humans are only expected to have. 

One of the first circumstances in which the Little Mermaid begins her longing is when she states, “I will venture everything to win him and to obtain an immortal soul… I will go to the sea-witch, who has always frightened me hitherto, but now, perhaps, she can advise and help me.” (Andersen, 119). There is already her initial longing of wanting to join the prince again as he is all that she thinks about in her days, but she seeks to go to the extent of the sea witch for solutions. Although the sea witch had “frightened” her, the Little Mermaid was able to put aside all her fear and commit to going to the sea witch as she knew that the sea witch would be the answer to all her problems. In this small passage there is a slight revealing of the Little Mermaid’s determination, in which despite the fear she felt from the sea witch she was still going to find her because she knew that in any sort of way she would be reunited with the prince on land. 

As the Little Mermaid had set her mind to finding the sea witch, it was now time to follow through and physically go to her “turf-common” (Andersen, 120). In the area of the sea witch is a dead area in which nothing grew and was lifeless which was the complete opposite compared to the area that the Little Mermaid lived in, and something specific that she had to overcome were polypi which are “half animal, half plant” (Andersen, 120). The Little Mermaid was fearful of passing through this as the polypi made up the trees and bushes and had the ability to grab onto any and everything that passed by them and due to this she grew fear but then reminded herself of her main goal, “…but then she thought of the prince, and of the soul that human beings possessed, and she took courage.” (Andersen, 120). The fear she had about physically reaching the sea witch because of the polypi almost stopped her but she allowed herself a few seconds and overcame this physical obstacle. As the polypi had almost prevented the Little Mermaid from reaching the sea witch, she reminded herself of why she needed to meet with the sea witch and this allowed her sense of bravery to grow more from this obstacle. 

Finally, after the sea witch had warned her about the repercussions of this potion, “…it will hurt you as much as if a sharp sword were thrust through you” (Andersen, 121), it was a huge warning about that the physical pain she will have to endure as long as she’s on land. The Little Mermaid had been forewarned warned and through the language of “sharp sword” it demonstrates the pain from fish tail to legs, and in this section there could’ve been an easy resistance and declined the offer but instead the Little Mermaid’s response to the sea witch was accepting of all that came with this deal, “I do,” said the little mermaid, in a trembling voice, as she thought of the prince and of an immortal soul.” (Andersen, 121). As the Little Mermaid had the choice to pick if she wanted to continue with this deal or not, she had reminded herself again of her own personal goal and knew what exactly she had to endure and also overcome if it meant to be on land. 

Through the Little Mermaid as the main character in this story there was more of a diminution of the barrier that separates human and nonhuman, thus advocating for equality for the nonhuman. The Little Mermaid was able to prove her determination by the challenges that came towards her but never resisted and instead pushed forward with her ultimate goal. Within these challenges as well, she showed other humanistic traits like bravery and courage, and these are traits that can be applied to only human beings and not the non. The Little Mermaid proved herself to hold humanistic traits and to be a powerful sea creature as she willingly left her entire life behind to start completely from scratch as she believed it was her calling. The story of the Little Mermaid is one that continues to show the equality for the nonhuman through the use of her own personal challenges, and everything she overcame to be human while demonstrating humanistic traits. 

Revised Midterm Close Reading

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Thavanh Pais

ECL 305

31 March 2024

The Romance of the Faery Melusine

‘The Faery at the Fountain’

In ‘The Romance of the Faery Melusine,’ the story revolves around a critical encounter between Melusine and Raymond as he visits a hidden fountain. This passage not only progresses the plot, but it also goes into deeper themes and character dynamics, providing insight into the complexity of the supernatural world and its relationship to human affairs.  In Chapter 3, titled ‘The Faery at the Fountain,’ the depiction of Raymond’s reiterated promise to Melusine symbolizes the delicate balance between trust and curiosity, highlighting the theme of secrecy within their relationship. Through Raymond’s oath to refrain from prying into Melusine’s mysterious absences, the text subtly explores the vulnerability inherent in maintaining secrets, particularly in the context of their intermingling human and supernatural realms. This pivotal moment not only underscores the consequences of transgression but also delves into the intricate dynamics of trust and curiosity within the relationship between Raymond and Melusine.

At the core of the scenario is Raymond’s solemn oath to Melusine, in which he promises, “On my life, I swear that never on that evening or that night will I do anything that might be to your detriment, and that I will, in all goodwill and honor, seek to know nothing about your absence.” This declaration, filled with intensity and gravity, demonstrates the delicate balance of trust and inquiry in their relationship. The repetition of terms like “on my life” and “in all goodwill and honor” emphasize Raymond’s sincerity and seriousness, as well as his deep concern for Melusine. However, it is critical to understand Melusine’s motivations for requesting Raymond’s commitment, as her request is based on her own vulnerabilities. Melusine seeks isolation to reconcile her dual existence and confront the intricacies of her magical nature. Her desire for Raymond’s commitment protects her autonomy and gives her the opportunity to retire into seclusion when necessary, without fear of interference or criticism.

Furthermore, Raymond’s promise not to inquire into Melusine’s absences highlights the idea of secrecy that pervades their encounters. Raymond’s decision to keep his promise sets off a series of events that would eventually change the course of their relationship and the lives of people around them. His commitment to resist the temptation to unravel Melusine’s mysteries underscores the value of integrity and self-control, highlighting the transformative power of moral decisions in shaping one’s destiny. 

Melusine’s reaction to Raymond’s pledge reveals the complexities of her personality as well as the mental struggle she experiences as a result of her magical background. While Melusine appreciates Raymond’s promise to keep her secrets, she is painfully aware of the dangers of disclosing her true identity. The exchange between Raymond and Melusine at the fountain is a microcosm of the larger themes woven throughout the story, capturing the tension between intimacy and autonomy and illuminating the complexities of navigating interpersonal relationships in a world fraught with secrecy and uncertainty. A thorough assessment of their contact reveals the nuances of trust and curiosity, as well as the great emotional resonance of their bond. The fountain is loaded with symbolic importance as a place of encounter and revelation, and emerges as a focal point for exploring the complexities of human connection and the transformative power of love.

Her request for Raymond’s promise could be interpreted as a means of creating a safe space for introspection and self-discovery, away from the pressures and distractions of the outside world. Melusine’s need for seclusion may be related to her desire for independence and self-reliance. Melusine, despite her emotional connection to Raymond and desire to engage in a relationship with him, is likely to value her independence and autonomy as a siren Her request for Raymond’s pledge allows her to assert her boundaries and autonomy in their relationship, ensuring that she has control over her own time and space.

In conclusion, “The Romance of the Faery Melusine” weaves a captivating narrative that explores a variety of themes and character dynamics, with the pivotal encounter between Melusine and Raymond at the hidden fountain in Chapter 3 standing out as the centerpiece. This scene not only progresses the plot but also explores deeper topics, including the difficult balance between trust and curiosity, as well as the theme of concealment in their relationship. Raymond’s solemn commitment to keep from inquiring into Melusine’s strange absences emphasizes the implications of transgression and digs into the complex dynamics of trust and curiosity between them. Equally important is Melusine’s appeal for Raymond’s pledge, which reflects her yearning for autonomy and independence. Her need for isolation is clear, as she seeks a safe haven for introspection and self-discovery away from the constraints and judgments of the outside world. The discussion between them by the fountain captures the tension between intimacy and autonomy, providing a powerful depiction of the complexity of negotiating human relationships in the midst of concealment and ambiguity.

“The Great Old Hunter” and Evil Nature

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Humanity’s connection to the natural world has always been complicated. On the one hand, people make significant efforts to protect and regenerate natural ecosystems and resources. On the other hand, several of humankind’s advances toward technological progress and solidifying its spot on top of the food chain have resulted in the displacement and extinction of hundreds of species throughout humankind’s comparatively brief rule over Earth. It may seem that a steady population increase and a strong dependence on an industrialized lifestyle are the primary reasons humans have had such a negative influence on the environment. Still, it might be more significant than that. In a chapter of The Romance of the Faery Melusine titled “The Great Old Hunter,” a depiction of man’s ideals implies that humanity’s connection with nature is influenced by a desire to demonstrate supremacy.

The story points out that, in the time of the Great Hunter, Aimery, humans and nature lived close together. The chapter describes nature as a sort of hidden threat, stating, “In hamlets and villages wild animals in their lairs could watch unseen all that went on around human dwellings” (Lebey and Knight 11). The wording in this sentence gives off the impression that humanity was surrounded by nature in an almost malevolent way. This notion of impending violence is further supported by the next sentence, “Foxes and wolves knew just when to raid” (Lebey and Knight 11). In this section of the story, humans feel more like the wildlife, while animals seem to be the hunters. It shows us that humans were fearful of their bestial neighbors. In describing the aftermath of one of these canine raids, the author makes a direct reference to the Devil, writing, “A strange wild smell, something like sulphur, hung in the frozen air, stinging the nostrils, as in a room where a fire, smoking before going out, has left a scorched smell like He of the cloven hoof” (Lebey and Knight 11). Cloven hooves are found in animals like sheep, deer, and goats. The personal pronoun “He” infers that these cloven hooves belong to a human, as any other reference to nature is met with the pronouns “they,” “them,” and “it”. All this suggests that this simile is an easily understood comparison between nature and the Devil. This just further proves that humanity was scared of nature, and it helps justify their rationale for hunting.

The forest itself is described as “…stretched beyond, menacing and dangerous, full of the unknown, concealing the surprising and the supernatural” (Lebey and Knight 11). Describing the forest as “stretched beyond” gives the audience a good idea of how surrounded early humans felt. The word “beyond” suggests that the forest’s reach had no visible end. It’s hard not to imagine a raft in the middle of an endless ocean. Both the hypothetical raft and the aforementioned hamlets and villages are stranded, encircled by a not-so-obvious danger. The audience knows that the forest is dangerous because the first two paragraphs describe the animals who come from the woods to terrorize people – but also because the text uses the words “menacing and dangerous” to personify the woods. Writing that the forest is “full of the unknown” is important, as the word “unknown” will be repeated later in the text to explain what drives Man to be brave. To say that the forest conceals “the supernatural” indicates that not only is nature frightening to humankind, but it is almost incomprehensible – it doesn’t follow humanity’s rules; therefore, it is mystical and fantastical.

The story then shows us that humanity is able to defeat these evils – the story says, “…evil reigned only if heroes failed to confront its dangers” (Lebey and Knight 12). This sentence reveals a lot of information to the audience about humanity’s values. Saying that “evil reigned” strengthens the prior implications of mankind’s stranded identity. To reign over something is to predominantly rule something. The idea of nature (AKA evil) predominantly ruling over the world is an alien concept to modern humans, as the tables seemingly turned millennia ago. The text continues, stating, “It seemed that the one existed to give rise to the other,” (Lebey and Knight 12). The nonspecific nature of this sentence fragment is purposeful. Its obvious implication is that evil exists to make humans stronger, but it also implies that the existence of humans makes the surrounding evil more powerful. This one fragment opens up the possibility of an infinite cycle where humanity and nature progressively become more and more impactful on each other. With melting ice caps and other adverse effects of climate change, it’s safe to say that this relationship between man and the natural world is still in effect. The sentence ends by saying, “for humans do not show their mettle if left to themselves.” (Lebey and Knight 12). A rough translation into simpler terms would be that humans do not show their tenacity if there is no evil to brave against. 

The word “unknown” returns in the sentence, “In those days men identified with things that could lead them further into the unknown;” (Lebey and Knight 12). The last time the word “unknown” was used, it described the “menacing and dangerous” essence of the forest. Using a phrase as vague as “the unknown” in this sentence works great; it describes that humanity has an instinctual fascination with things it does not understand, as well as further exploring humanity’s association with forests and nature in particular. The story continues with, “they sought in all directions the extension of their physical and spiritual power” (Lebey and Knight 12). It seems humans have always been determined to take over everything, as demonstrated by the phrase “in all directions.” The sentence mentions both physical and spiritual power, and this is like saying violence and understanding. The order in the wording is crucial to understanding the implicit attitude humans have towards the unknown – destroy first, understand later. Since nature is akin to evil in this story, it would be fair to think that these early humans would try to defeat nature before they try to observe and reason with it.

All this is not to say that Man never tried to understand nature; in the next paragraph, the narrator says, “Man developed without dissociating or abstracting himself from the world,” (Lebey and Knight 12). When one dissociates or abstracts oneself, one removes oneself from one’s own existence and lets go of any attachments that are associated with one’s sense of identity. This remark demonstrates to the audience that whatever information that humans have accumulated about nature has been done so on a level that is ultimately trivial. If one wants to have a complete understanding of anything, one must put oneself in that thing’s position and make an effort to see the world from the perspective of that thing. In the absence of the dissociation and abstraction processes, no attempt is made to fully understand anything. 

Finally, the narrator discusses hunting, saying, “Hunting, so different from our own… maintained the extension of human power” (Lebey and Knight 12). To get better at killing something, one must learn its behaviors and use them to one’s advantage. This is the “spiritual” power mentioned before. Through hunting, people can demonstrate their spiritual power through the act of tracking and the use of animal calls. The kill itself is the obvious demonstration of the physical power humans crave. This sentence paints hunting as a necessary activity for humans to partake in to maintain balance in the natural world – but it seems like hunting is necessary to keep human beings secure in themselves, which is a lot less valiant than the former.

In conclusion, “The Great Old Hunter” illuminates the intricate dance between humanity and the natural world, revealing a timeless struggle for supremacy. The text suggests that humans understand nature as evil, but humanity’s view of the wild seems to be a lot more positive in the contemporary era. If the ideals presented by the text were widespread, then this could explain why humans still tend to negatively impact the natural world. But it’s important to remember that the relationship between Man and nature is complex and changes over time. Stories from the past like this one teach about how people thought and felt in earlier times, but they also make us consider how humans think and act now when it comes to the environment. In order to try to solve the environmental problems of today, it’s important to understand how complicated our relationship with nature is and work toward a peaceful union that respects both humans and the environment. Understanding where we fit in the environment as a whole is important, should we want to face the difficulties of the future with knowledge and kindness.

Midterm Close Reading: Melusine

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River McCaughey
Professor Pressman
ECL 305
3 March 2024
Melusine: The Great Old Hunter (Pages 11 &12)

The original story of Melusine was composed by French writer Jean d’Arras at the end of the 14th century. This particular adaptation was written by Andre Lebey in the late 19th century, and translated from French to English by Gareth Knight. This means the story has gone through two separate interpretations. Therefore, it must be considered that any beliefs related to the current culture of either Knight or Lebey may show through the text. The other influential values that are projected into this text are of the time when the story was written, during the Feudal times in Western Europe. What we see after reading is that Lebey has strong opinions on the difference between his world in Western Europe, and the society that existed 500 years prior. Andre Lebey wrote his version of Melusine in the late 19th century. This is significant because Western Europe, where Lebey lived, was going through the peak of the Industrial Revolution. During this time, many people moved to cities as farming required fewer hands to support large populations. Jobs shifted from small-scale agricultural work to large-scale factories. The development of capitalism was in full swing, and income levels were starting to spread apart between classes. As people moved to dense cities far from nature, I believe that Lebey sought to explore why this happened, and what it meant for the wellbeing of humanity. In the first two pages of Chapter 1, The Great Old Hunter, of his adaptation of Melusine, Andre Lebey invites readers to consider how Feudal Europe sprouted humans’ eventual disconnect from the natural environment. He employed healthy amounts of nature imagery to display the juxtaposition between Feudal and Industrial Europe. I believe that this juxtaposition was a way for him to highlight that humanity is better off when it’s closer to nature.
Lebey describes the village as people who “lived close to nature in those days, even in towns” (Lebey 11). Lebey seems to be deliberately describing the scene as something different from the way the world he lives in now. Without explicitly saying it, he suggests that life in the industrial world is somehow far from nature. This early in the story, it’s difficult to say whether he is reminiscing in some way on how he wishes it could have stayed, or if Lebey is glad that the world doesn’t have to struggle against the forces of nature as it did in the 14th century. Lebey also refers to the hunter as “legendary”, which suggests that the people of his time praise hunters. During the 14th century, hunters were much more common as a way to get food. By the time Lebey wrote his adaptation of Melusine, the world had already shifted away from the hunter as a way to get food. Agriculture was the main source of food and hunting was transitioning into a sport. Shortly after, Lebey describes the forest as “menacing and dangerous, full of the unknown, concealing the surprising and unnatural” (Lebey 11). By suggesting that the nature surrounding the village is dark and scary, Lebey conveys that the villagers see the natural environment outside the walled society as fearful. With the description of the village as having fields “right up to the walls” (Lebey 11) readers can conclude that there is already some disconnect from the natural world through physical man-made separation. The fear of nature combined with the resources to separate nature from man is what Lebey argues caused society to isolate itself from the natural environment.
On the next page, Lebey begins to elaborate on this juxtaposition between the industrial world that he lives in and that of the 14th century. After discussing the feared creatures of the forest, Lebey points out that “evil reigned only if heroes failed to confront its dangers” (Lebey 12). This is where readers first see his inclination to present nature as a place that needs to be visited. He goes on to say, “Humans do not show their mettle if left to themselves” (Lebey 12). Here, Lebey is explicitly revealing that humans are not as resilient if they do not confront the dangers of nature. Lebey next gives an example of a haw that holds the “Code of Love.” Lebey is suggesting that if humans do not have contact with nature, then they will not only be left without resilience, but they will be unknowing about the secrets of the world. In this part of the chapter, readers are shown the possibility that there is a purpose for the human connection to nature.
Shortly after in the story, it becomes clear that Lebey is reminiscing on the way that the past may have been before the Industrial Revolution. Through the imagery of nature, Lebey explains how “Man developed without dissociating or abstracting himself from the world” (Lebey 12). The author is implying that the Industrial Revolution caused humans to become dissociated from the natural environment. He also reinforces the point that man is further from nature by juxtaposing the hunting back then as “so different from our own, more justifiable because more difficult and necessary” (Lebey 12). By contrasting hunting in the 14th century to hunting of his time, Lebey suggests there is no need for hunting anymore, and there isn’t any reason to do it with the development of inventions like the seed drill. Lebey is continuously uses the imagery of nature to romanticize it in a way that calls for readers to see that the way life is in cities away from nature is not in fact better for society.
The way that Lebey describes the natural world in these first two pages of The Great Old Hunter is heavily influenced by the language used in classic fairy tales. By writing in this way, he creates a sort of desire for the reader to behold the society that they cannot live in. I believe that Lebey also utilized this story to highlight the beginning of “Man’s” separation from the natural world. The image that Lebey paints through his text is of a small town, walled off. Next to it is the natural world where the fearful yet omniscient creatures reside. By emphasizing the early separation of Man and nature, Lebey is pointing at where he believes humanity went wrong.
Through his imagery of nature, Lebey conveys to readers of the Industrial Revolution that life before Man was separated from nature was better than it is now. He juxtaposes the lifestyles without explicitly explaining the way that the world he lives in is. The romanticization of nature and the secrets it may hold are how Lebey draws his audience to realize how nature is not only something to be feared but should be cherished. He hopes people will understand nature as important for humanity, and that the feudal times acted as a liminal space between nature and Man with the construction of walls keeping society from the outside world.

The Little Mermaid Reading Response

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Sophia Raya

ECL 305

Professor Pressman

March 3rd, 2024 

The Search for a Soul

In many stories involving mermaids and other aquatic creatures, the mermaid’s monstrous nature is highlighted by their lack of a soul and aversion to Christianity. During the 19th century, many people were concerned about the welfare of their souls and were still largely devoted to Christianity. In Hans Christan Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, the little mermaid yearns to have an immortal soul and will do anything in her power to obtain one. She decides to leave her watery home behind and rises onto land in search of a soul. As the story progresses, the little mermaid eventually transforms into an air spirit that inhabits the sky and will be eligible to obtain a soul in three hundred years. Within the structure of the text,  Andersen uses each section of the story to represent three different planes on the vertical scale: the aquatic plane, the terrestrial plane, and the aerial plane. This vertical ascension maps onto the biblical ascension of the soul to heaven. As the little mermaid travels through these different planes, she comes one step closer to obtaining a soul. 

Andersen begins the tale of the little mermaid in the depths of the ocean, far below any human development. This introduction is purposeful and places emphasis on where the initial physical setting occurs, and shows the placement of the mermaid world beneath that of the human world.  “Many church steeples need to be piled upon one another to reach the bottom to the surface. It is there where the sea folks dwell…” (Andersen, pg. 108). The use of church steeples as a unit of measurement adds a Christian layer to the setting, and the direction of these church steeples is purposeful as well. Instead of going from the surface of the ocean to the bottom of the sea, they are heading upwards. This upward motion paired with the steeples suggests that as one moves further away from the bottom of the ocean, they are getting closer to God which mirrors a soul’s upward motion to heaven. In some literary texts involving mermaids, the area below humanity’s domain is considered to be hell or the underworld. It is here in this place furthest from God’s reach where the little mermaid first inquires about obtaining an immortal soul. The little mermaid’s grandmother reveals that the only way to gain an immortal soul is to forfeit her life beneath the ocean and have a human fall in love with her (Andersen pg. 118-119). This information reveals that the direction that the little mermaid needs to go in order to obtain her soul is up which reflects in her transition from the aquatic plane to the terrestrial plane. 

When the little mermaid reaches the prince’s castle and undergoes a painful transformation to become human, she finally has the potential to gain a soul but she is not guaranteed it. In finally meeting the prince, there are only two directions she can potentially move to. If she wins the love of the prince and becomes his queen, she would be able to secure a soul and eventually move upwards to heaven when she died. If she didn’t win his affection, she would melt into sea foam where she would go down the vertical plane and forfeit any chance of eternal life. With these two options facing her, she attempts to win the princes favor and exists as a human being on land for some unspecified time. The prince and the little mermaid form a bond together and on one occasion, he takes her to the top of a mountain where they could see clouds rolling beneath them (Andersen, pg. 124). In this event, the little mermaid is still connected to the earth but she is also located in the sky due to how high up they are in the mountain, inhabiting both planes. At this point in the story, her potential for a soul is high due to the princes favor, and she is in arms reach of the heavens. As the story progresses, the prince and the little mermaid never go back to that high point together which marks the downturn of her probability of obtaining a soul through matrimony. 

The little mermaid’s transition from the terrestrial plane to the aerial plane did not go as smoothly as one would have hoped. Because she was unable to secure the princes love and by extension her immortal soul, she is faced with the choice of either killing the prince and remaining on the terrestrial plane, or sacrificing herself and dissolving into foam, leaving behind all possibilities of entering heaven. Because her love for the prince overpowers her desire to exist as a human, she decides to jump overboard and go back down to the aquatic plane, which would be akin to descending into hell. After this scene occurs on page 129, there is a large blank space before the scene continues, which is a point of transition for both the little mermaid and the text itself. This pause is purposeful and jolts the reader out of the story and may cause them to ponder the direction that their own soul is heading towards. After this space occurs, the little mermaid rises out of the water and slowly ascends high into the air like a soul going to heaven. It is here where she finally enters the aerial plane and becomes an aerial spirit. As an aerial spirit, it is here where her form more closely resembles a soul. In the Christian religion, souls are intangible and have no physical form despite being connected to the body. Once the body dies the soul is judged and may rise into heaven or descend into hell depending on the outcome of the soul’s judgment. This judgment depends on a number of factors including how closely one follows Christian values. One of these values includes loving one’s neighbor and doing good unto others. As an aerial spirit, the little mermaid has an actual shot at entering heaven by spreading good deeds across the world and following Christian teachings for the next three hundred years (Andersen pg. 130).  Despite the increased length of time it will take the little mermaid to gain a soul, her spot in heaven is essentially guaranteed. As an aerial spirit, the terrestrial plane and the aerial plane blend into one, there are no harsh boundaries that separate the two. As long as she continues to perform good deeds, she will not run the risk of losing her spot in heaven. Near the end of the story, the little mermaid mentions gliding into heaven (Andersen pg. 130). By using the phrase gliding, it implies that heaven is in the same plane as them. Because she’s an aerial spirit, she is already at the highest level vertically and doesn’t need to rise any higher to reach the Kingdom of God. 

Just as the soul ascends upward, so does the little mermaid herself also rise to the heavens. Despite some setbacks, the little mermaid rises into the aerial plane from the terrestrial and aquatic planes beneath her. Each vertical plane builds upon the previous one in both a textual sense and as a place where the little mermaid has learned to inhabit and explore. As she goes up through the ocean, terrestrial, and aerial planes, she displays care towards others and embodies Christian values which help to gain her a position in heaven in the future. 

Works Cited:

Andersen, Hans Christian. “The Little Mermaid.” The Penguin Book of Mermaids, edited by Christina Bacchilega and Marie Alohalani Brown, Penguin Books, 2019, pp 107-130.

Midterm: Close Read Essay

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Carina Virto

ECL 305

Professor Pressman

03, March 2024

How to get into Heaven: Womens’ Edition 

Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid is a religious, Christian,  how-to in terms of being accepted in the kingdom of Heaven. The story centers on a young mermaid, at the coming of age, who sacrifices everything, including her life, in order to win the affections of a mortal man, and consequently a soul. In Christian norms, it is traditional for a woman to marry a man, become a mother, and serve her husband and family to the fullest extent. Religion plays a substantial role in how those who follow its faith behave in society. In The Little Mermaid the emphasis placed on a woman marrying a man, or devoting her life to God, serves as a Chrstian allegory for the low value women possess on their own, further perpetuating harmful gender roles and overall treatment of women in society.

The little mermaid gives up her princess life, natural form, and family and chooses to undergo mutilation to her natural form, risking her life, and the loss of her voice for the chance to gain the affections of her male interest and an immortal soul. At the age of 15, the little mermaid was able to swim up to the surface of the ocean and view the human world above. One of her many visits to the surface sparked a deep, romantic, interest in a prince whose ship sank and that she had saved. Ultimately, her love interest furthered her fascination with the human world, inclining her to ask her grandmother about the life cycle of humans. Through this conversation, the little mermaid learns that humans possess an immortal soul that grants them ascension into “… favored regions, that [merpeople] shall never be privileged to see. (Anderson, 118)” These supposed regions are a direct reference to the Kingdom of Heaven in Christianity. In the Christian religion it is humans who may ascend into Heaven, not animals, spirits of nature, sinners, or non-believers. In this case, the little mermaid is still in the form not of man, therefore it is vital that she does something in order to change herself to gain the opportunity to ascend in her afterlife. Her grandmother then goes on to detail how the only way to acquire an immortal soul is to be loved by a human “so dearly that you were more to him than either father or mother–”. This caveat is an obvious ode to the idea that if a Christian woman wishes to gain access to the kingdom of heaven, she must follow through with her expected role as a woman in this society: to be wed to a man. If she fails to do so, her duties will have not been fulfilled as God intended. This ideology screams the notion that women are second class citizens to men, and were simply put on this earth to appease a man. This type of theme has been spun many times, especially in Genesis 2:18 which reads, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” Eve was then created from one of the ribs of Adam, made solely for his benefit. Eve was not created when Adam was, but instead she was created to perfectly suit Adam’s needs and along with his own personal timeline, and for no other reason. Therefore it would seem that a woman’s sole purpose is to find their own Adams and contort themselves by whatever means possible to be able to serve him, as it was why she was created in the first place. To fail at this duty is to defy God’s intentions and to be denied access to Heaven.  With these ideologies in mind, the little mermaid eventually finds herself making a trade with a sea witch. The sea witch agrees to help the little mermaid for the price of  “the best of all [she] possesses in exchange for [the] valuable potion. (122)” These attributes include her tail, which shall be split into two and will condemn her to excruciating pain every time she walks, but not when she dances, and her voice. After learning the price of her desire to become human, the little mermaid asks, “But if you take away my voice– what have I left?” To which the sea witch replies, “Your lovely form– your buoyant carriage, and your expressive eyes.” The entire exchange not only expresses to the reader the sacrifices women are expected to make in order to be loved by a man and appease God’s intention for her, but it degrades her to simply a vessel of a person. The little mermaid will be a dancing monkey with no voice or value, just her body and beauty to give to her potential husband. She will not be able to express herself through words, because womens’ emotions cease to matter, she will not be able to feel comfortable unless entertaining her male counterpart as she has no other duty, and she will not be able to continue on physically living if she is denied by him. This degradation of women further reinforces the hierarchical gender roles perpetuated in Christianity, which is highly damaging to the perceived female value among society. 

Although the little mermaid is ultimately rejected by her love interest, all is not lost as there will always be another man to be devoted to– God. After the little mermaid turns into seafoam, having failed to capture the unrequited love of her love interest, Anderson writes an extension of the story to explain what other option a woman has if she is to fail her Christian duty of marrying a man: devoting your life to God. As the little mermaid floats as seafoam she then transforms and her body begins to rise out of the foam and high into the sky. When she inquires those around her where she may be they respond, “Amongst the daughters of the air!” (129). The daughters of the air also lacked an immortal soul but could “obtain one by their good deeds.” The little mermaid learns that after three hundred years of good deeds she may obtain an immortal soul after all. The daughters of the air are essentially aerial spirits, in which no human being can see. In Christianity there are a group of women who devote themselves to the Lord, abstain from sin, and are hardly seen by the public: Nuns. It would seem that Anderson is telling his readers that if you pursue your duty of deviating yourself to a man in holy matrimony and come out unsuccessful, after one try of course, you may then switch your course to instead serve God himself for the rest of your lifetime. The spirits then go on to confirm that indeed “[they] shall glide into the Kingdom of Heaven, after the lapse of three hundred years.” It is customary that Christains act in good deeds and abstain from sinning in order to be deemed worthy of a Heavenly afterlife, therefore it would make sense that this route was the next best thing for the little mermaid to pursue. Despite the idea that the little mermaid is still getting her immortal soul after all, the idea that she herself still needs to endure three hundred years as a daughter of the air in order to be granted access into heaven whereas men simply have to abstain from sin, is a clear representation of the pedestal men stand on in which women reside below. It is important to note that there are no “sons of the air” but that they are daughters, women. This sort of path is not necessary for the man, just as it was not necessary for Adam to require a purpose to be created. 

Men were created by God as a representation of his love and to spread love, whereas women were created as an afterthought, so that men would not live alone. It is clear, through the depiction of the little mermaid’s life, that according to Christainty, the widest followed religion in the world, that women lack value if she is not to be serving a man or serving the Lord. Notions of this substance attack the value of a woman and her importance as a human being, and give society an excuse to treat them as less than. Moreover, it is imperative to dissect texts like these to avoid being misled into thinking that if you are a woman then you’re insubordinate or that if you are a man that you may treat her as such. Literature is powerful in its ability to spread ideologies and influence society, therefore stories like these need not be blindly accepted as truths, but rather critically analyzed to understand societal biases against women and unveiling the absurdity gender roles confine them to in their pursuit for happiness.  

Works Cited

Anderson, Hans Christian. “The Little Mermaid.” The Penguin Book of Mermaids, ‎Penguin Classics , Westminster, London, 2019, pp. 107–129. 

“God Made Eve and Ordained Marriage .” The Elegant Farmer, www.elegantfarmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/God-Made-Eve-and-Ordained-Marriage.pdf. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

Midterm (The Reel Deal, as they say)

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Giselle Lee Hosler

March 3rd, 2024

ECL 305

Prof Pressman

Many different cultures have different mermaid mythology, representing their relationships with themselves and nature. Oannes the fish man in particular represents the developing relationship between humanity and nature, through his contributions of developing the civilized society of Babylonia. Throughout the text, Oannes continuously shows society concepts such as science, architecture, the arts, etc., manmade concepts that aren’t found in nature. Therefore, there is a positive connection between humanity and nature, given how much Oannes seems to want it to succeed, because humans are a part of nature, even if some of their concepts are not. 

To begin, Oannes is presented as a being that isn’t quite human. “(According to the account of Apollodorus) the whole body of the animal was like that of a fish; and had under a fish’s head another head, and also feet below, similar to those of a man, subjoined to the fish’s tail. His voice, too, and language was articulate and human; and a representation of him is preserved even to this day.” (Penguin Book, 4) While he has human characteristics, he isn’t quite human. Yet, he isn’t quite all a monster in the sense of being completely divorced from humanity. His physical appearance blends in the natural world, and humanity, by allowing both of them to coexist within him. Not to mention, both the human parts of him and the fish parts of him meld together in harmony, a subtle nod to humanity’s place alongside nature.

Perhaps it is this sort of ethereal and uncanny balance that allows for the people of Babylonia to trust him with the information he gives them regarding humans. The text says that “This Being, in the day-time, used to converse with men, but took no food at that season…” (4) The time of day being mentioned is important, because it shows that there is a pattern. Day-time, being that when the sun is out. The sun has the archetype of knowledge, and enlightenment, which is very relevant to Oannes’s character and his actions. It frames this creature as intelligent, easy to trust (as he presents himself in broad daylight for everyone to see), and above all, not hostile. 

His actions are then described as benevolent in nature- his teaching of civilization to the humans. “…and he gave them an insight into letters, and sciences, and every kind of art. He taught them to construct houses, to found temples, to compile laws, and explained to them the principles of geometrical knowledge…” (4) Oannes has all of this knowledge at his disposal, which he seems to readily give to the human population of Babylonia. Knowledge that is relevant to many developed civilizations, societies that have to coexist with each other. This knowledge would elevate these people out of nature, and yet he gives it to them. Houses, laws, temples, geometry, these are not natural concepts- they are manmade. 

It doesn’t just stop at human concepts- Oannes also teaches them lessons from nature itself. “He made them distinguish the seeds of the earth, and showed them how to collect fruits.” (4) These lessons are the humans learning directly from nature, to be able to survive within it. Oannes having this knowledge despite being a creature of water shows his connection towards nature. He is all-encompassing, representing not just the realm of water, but also the realm of land. And through his knowledge and human characteristics, Oannes represents humanity, as well. Therefore, his connection to humanity seems more positive and well meaning. 

Oannes’s role for humanity is to act as a sort of guide, leading them into higher development and evolution. “In short, he instructed them in everything which could tend to soften manners and humanize mankind.” (4) What does a fish monster man need to humanize mankind before, if it would go against nature? Oannes seems very aware of the balance needed to maintain nature, as well as the information necessary to elevate humans into society. He must believe that these things are not mutually exclusive, therefore it justifies why he teaches humanity about the things necessary for more societal living. 

This is the final part of the text, which reestablishes Oannes’s connection to nature, and affirms his other-ness. “When the sun set it was the custom of this Being to plunge again into the sea, and abide all night in the deep; for he was amphibious.” (4) This is a reminder of what sets Oannes apart, as well as provides the mysterious vibe of nature. Oannes leaves humanity to go and reunite with nature, which is also where he presumably lives, eats, sleeps, and gathers his own information. Not to mention, it is the opposite of day-time, which has elements of knowledge. When the sun goes down, the knowledge ends, and plunges the world into darkness. Things become unknown to people. This can be interpreted as Oannes plunging into the unknown to discover more, or returning to whence he came. 

Throughout the whole text, Oannes is seen as nothing but benevolent, never seeming to punish, lie, or betray mankind as he leads them from simple life into the complex. While one could argue that Oannes is leading humanity away from nature through the introduction of manmade concepts of law, government and religion, it would be as simple as ignoring the thought placed in his actions. Why would he teach the humans all of these concepts which would have to borrow from nature if he intended for them to be detached from it?

Oannes taught humanity how to balance both themselves and nature while also elevating humanity above nature. It feels like a positive relationship, given how he interacts with humans. He could have taught them that nature was something to be feared, left alone, something terrifying and dangerous and not to be mingled with. Yet he has taught them that they can exist alongside it. They’re already doing so with him- Oannes is a representation of nature, and especially of nature and humanity being a part of one another. He wanted the people to succeed in becoming more in sync with nature. 

It’s definitely important to show that the people of the past had a positive relationship with nature, given how we as a collective take from it to survive. Without it, we would be nowhere, which is what Oannes proves. Without him, the people of Babylonia wouldn’t have developed beyond whatever they had without him (which was without science, art, culture, houses, temples and laws). Part of the text implies that Oannes had tamed the people of Babylonia, yes, but it can also be seen as them evolving away from their old roles. Being able to work with nature allowed for more development amongst humanity. Working alongside nature, being guided from it, is the only way humanity can continue to flourish. 

These things matter, because humanity NOW only has this one planet, with all its natural beauty and wonder, and it’s being squandered and ruined. In the past, we could live within nature, take only what we needed to survive and be happy with the result. We learned from nature, learned what to eat, how to eat it, how to grow things from it. It may have been Oannes who taught the people of Babylonia specifically, but his presence can only mean that it was Nature guiding humanity. Without it, mankind, humanity, what have you, would be lost and underdeveloped. Not to mention, we can still learn from nature itself. What Oannes taught was merely just the building block.

Close Reading Assignment: Melusine

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Thavanh Pais

ECL 305

3/03/2024

The Romance of the Faery Melusine

‘The Faery at the Fountain’

In ‘The Romance of the Faery Melusine,’ the story revolves around a critical encounter between Melusine and Raymond as she visits a hidden fountain. This passage not only progresses the plot, but it also goes into deeper themes and character dynamics, providing insight into the complexity of the supernatural world and its relationship to human affairs.  In Chapter 3, titled ‘The Faery at the Fountain,’ the depiction of Raymond’s reiterated promise to Melusine symbolizes the delicate balance between trust and curiosity, highlighting the theme of secrecy within their relationship. Through Raymond’s oath to refrain from prying into Melusine’s mysterious absences, the text subtly explores the vulnerability inherent in maintaining secrets, particularly in the context of their intermingling human and supernatural realms. This pivotal moment not only underscores the consequences of transgression, but also serves as a place of broader societal anxieties surrounding gender roles and familial expectations.

Towards the end of the chapter, Raymond reaffirms his commitment to Melusine, pledging, “On my life, I swear that never on that evening or that night will I do anything that might be to your detriment, and that I will, in all goodwill and honor, seek to know nothing about your absence.” This declaration, placed at the heart of the story, represents the delicate balance of trust and curiosity in their relationship.

The author’s phrasing in this line is critical for grasping the intricacies of Raymond’s promise. The repetition of terms like “on my life” and “in all goodwill and honor” emphasizes the solemnity and gravity of Raymond’s promise, while also highlighting the intensity of his concern for Melusine’s well-being. In this sense, the author’s phrase not only adds to our comprehension of Raymond’s character, but it also emphasizes the value of trust and integrity in interpersonal interactions. Through a careful examination of these linguistic choices, we can determine the level of Raymond’s devotion to Melusine and the significance of his vow in their relationship.

Furthermore, Raymond’s promise not to inquire into Melusine’s strange absences highlights the idea of secrecy that pervades their encounters. Raymond not only exhibits his trust in Melusine by acknowledging the presence of her secrets and declaring his desire to respect her boundaries, but he also tackles the vulnerability that comes with keeping such secrets. This sensitivity is heightened by the magical factors at play, as Melusine’s supernatural nature adds another degree of intricacy to their connection. The presence of magic in their relationship adds a layer of uncertainty and risk, as Raymond wrestles with the ramifications of Melusine’s supernatural nature and the mysteries it entails. The magical factors in play heighten the stakes of their connection, as Raymond navigates the complexities of loving someone whose identity is veiled in mystery and whose nature is bound by concealment.

Examining the passage’s broader societal implications reveals echoes of contemporary concerns about gender roles and home obligations. Melusine and Raymond’s relationship follows traditional gender norms, with Melusine embodying the archetype of the enigmatic, enticing woman whose secrets must be kept at all costs. This picture reflects firmly held societal expectations about women’s behavior and the preservation of their virtue. Raymond’s promise to comply with Melusine’s request can be read as a symbol of patriarchal notions of care and guardianship, in which women are frequently reduced to the role of passive beneficiaries of masculine compassion. The language used in Raymond’s pledge, with its focus on safety and honor, supports this view by emphasizing the power dynamics at work in their relationship.

Melusine’s reaction to Raymond’s commitment reveals the complexities of her character and the psychological turmoil she experiences as a result of her magical nature. Melusine appreciates Raymond’s vow to safeguard her secrets, but she is also well aware of the dangers of divulging her true identity. Her reluctance to truly trust Raymond stems not just from a fear of betrayal, but also from a profound sense of loneliness and otherness that comes with her exceptional existence. This internal conflict deepens and enriches Melusine’s character, underlining the psychological toll of living a covert and dishonest life. Melusine’s fear may also derive from centuries of societal conditioning, in which women were frequently ostracized or prosecuted for breaking from social norms. Thus, her apprehension about exposing her actual self reflects a larger struggle for acceptance and belonging in a culture that fears and misunderstands the supernatural.

Finally, the consequences of transgression are prominent in this section, serving as a warning about the hazards of surrendering to curiosity and crossing boundaries. Raymond’s promise to Melusine is more than just a gesture of goodwill; it marks a watershed moment in his life, a moral reckoning that forces him to confront the consequences of his actions. Raymond’s desire to unravel Melusine’s mysteries exemplifies a fundamental human impulse: the intrinsic curiosity that drives us to seek out the unknown. Nonetheless, his determination to keep his promise demonstrates the value of integrity and self-control in the face of temptation. Also the consequences of transgression transcend beyond Raymond’s personal relationship with Melusine; they resonate throughout the story, affecting the course of events that follow. Raymond’s decision to keep his pledge sets off a series of events that will eventually decide the fate of their relationship and the lives of others around them. In this way, the repercussions of transgression serve as a potent reminder of the interconnectivity of our acts and the impact they can have on ourselves and others.

In the intricate weave of “The Romance of the Faery Melusine,” Chapter 3, titled “The Faery at the Fountain,” is a profound investigation of trust, curiosity, and concealment in the magical realm. Through a detailed investigation of Raymond’s promise to Melusine, we uncover levels of complexity that go beyond the storyline, diving into deeper cultural fears about gender roles and familial expectations. As we explore the complexities of Raymond and Melusine’s relationship, we are reminded of language and narrative’s enormous ability to explain the human experience. The delicate interplay between trust and curiosity highlights the complexities of human dynamics, while the issue of concealment deepens our understanding of vulnerability and the consequences of transgression. Beyond the story, this attentive reading challenges us to consider the lasting relevance of issues like trust, secrecy, and vulnerability in our own lives. Through the prism of Raymond and Melusine’s journey, we are urged to evaluate the influence of our actions on ourselves and others, as well as the value of integrity and self-control when faced with temptation.

CRA Odysseus and the Sirens

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Odysseus and the Sirens

The tale of Odysseus and the Sirens portrays a message that is still relevant today. Through Ulysses’ encounter with the Sirens, the tale illustrates the human relationship between desire and self-control, arguing that pursuing your desires and curiosities with lack of self-discipline may come with consequences in order to persuade the audience to be weary of temptation and reconsider giving in. A close reading will be conducted on the following text to support this argument, “In flowery meads the sportive Sirens play, Touch the soft lyre, and tine the vocal lay; Me, me alone, with fetters firmly bound, The gods allow to hear the dangerous sound. Hear and obey; if freedom I demand, Be every fetter strain’d, be added band to band. While yet I speak the winged galley flies, And lo! the Siren shores like mists arise. Sunk were at once the winds; the air above, And waves below, at once forgot to move; Some demon calm’d the air and smooth’d the deep, Hush’d the loud winds, and charm’d the waves to sleep.” (Penguin 10,11)           

The passage begins with describing the Sirens as being “sportive” or lighthearted beings that play soothing music in flowery meadows, depicting them as being quite the opposite of evil and rather innocent and peaceful. The next line immediately changes tone where the peaceful scene of flowery meadows abruptly switches to Ulysses himself alone being “fettered” or shackled firmly in exchange for the Gods to allow him to discover the “dangerous” sound, highlighting Ulysses’ strong desire to hear the Siren’s music which even the Gods acknowledge as perilous.

Next, Ulysses commands his men, that if he demands to be freed from his shackles, to instead tighten them and add more restraints. The reasoning behind this is the men know that the Siren’s song influences them to act irrational, the Siren’s influence on other objects is described later in the excerpt. Ulysses knows that when he hears the “dangerous” sound he will lack self-control that can potentially be fatal; forcing him to rely more on physical restraints than his own words.

The remaining text displays the scene when the “galley” or ship “flies” through the waterway and when the men finally encounter the Sirens. The word “flies” in the text indicates the ship was moving at an incredibly fast pace suggesting there were high and powerful winds at this exact place and time. When the men are met with the Sirens, the weather is described as calm, forgetting, sunk, quiet, and sleeping. These adjectives personify nature by giving it descriptions as “forgot to move” and “charm’d the waves to sleep” emphasizing the strength of merely the Sirens’ presence. The description of the Sirens written as, “Some demon calm’d the air and smooth’d the deep, Hush’d the loud winds, and charm’d the waves to sleep” solidifies their image that these beings have no good intentions, which no “demon” has. Beings that were earlier described as playing in the flowery meadows is now described as unhuman evil entities that possess power strong enough to alter the forces of nature. Yet, Ulysses knew what he and his men were up against and still, his eagerness to satisfy his curiosities was greater than his fear of facing death.

 Although this story suggests that the mortals, Ulysses and his men, outsmarted these powerful demons, they had received the advice to restrain Ulysses and plug their ears with wax to avoid the Siren’s melody, from the goddess Circe. It is almost certain that without the help from the goddess, this voyage would have been the end for them. However, even though the end of this chapter of Homer’s Odyssey is positive, it can leave the audience skeptical to pursue their own curiosities and to think twice about surrendering to temptation, probably because they wouldn’t be as fortunate to receive advice from a god like Ulysses did.

Diving even deeper, although this story was composed in the 8th century B.C. it has been translated, passed down through generations, and depicted in several artworks possibly to impose religious influence on the audience. Aside from its mention of gods (Circe) and demons (Sirens), it reveals Ulysses’ temptation to seek out knowledge which is a prominent theme in religious stories including the Christian story of Adam and Eve and the Greek mythology of Prometheus stealing God’s fire for humankind, both resulting in serious consequences or punishments. Sirens having the reputation of singing ethereal songs filled with knowledge and accompanied by death could’ve discouraged the audience at the time from pursuing advanced knowledge (possibly science) in general. Why is this important? Throughout history religion has played a major role and even had its place of power in some governments, with the obtaining of advanced knowledge, works of nature once credited to God could now be given a logical explanation, ruling God out as a factor.

Obviously in today’s world, religion is not as “hardcore” as it was before. Now that we live in a society of advanced technology and logic, we rarely if not at all attribute works of nature or unknown explanations to God, and our hunger for knowledge is only expanding. One could argue that a prominent topic throughout the world now are natural resources and with our advanced technology we have learned to use these natural resources to our advantage in forms of paper, oil, lithium, coal, etc. When influencing natural forces was depicted as an unhuman power in Ulysses and the Sirens, society now seems to slightly possess the ability to do that as shown through the exploitation of natural resources. However, the desire and temptation to harvest these resources for our advantage may result in consequences in the form of pollution having a detrimental affect on climate change which poses a severe risk to all living organisms. Except unlike Ulysses, we don’t have a Circe to grant us some lifesaving wisdom.

Works Cited:

Odysseus and the Sirens, The Penguin Book of Mermaids, Penguin Books, 2019