Thesis: Non-Western mermaid folk tales and stories use ocean-centric language to emphasize the importance of the ocean to their cultures. By doing this, the people of these cultures have a deeper understanding and a more profound respect for the ocean and all bodies of water than Western societies. 

I plan to use Steve Mentz’s “Deterritorializing Preface” and Eric Pal Rooda’s “The Ocean Reader” to set up the argument for my essay.