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Close Reading: The Little Mermaid

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Daniella Sanchez
Professor Pressman
ENG 305
3 March 2024  

The Little Mermaid and Coming of Age 

       In The Little Mermaid, the passage of girlhood to womanhood that the unnamed mermaid experiences when having eight oyster shells pinned to her tail on page 113 reflects the strict expectations and limitations held for young adult women of the Victorian era; The elements of attire and theme of pain suggest the hardships and deceptions of becoming a woman, teaching the difficulties of discovering one’s identity and societal expectations during the influential stages of maturity.  

       At the time the little mermaid turns fifteen, her time to broaden her horizons and witness the outside world in all its beauty has come. Her grandmother prepares her granddaughter for the event by dressing her in special attire, essential for a coming-of-age ceremony. The first item is placed on her head, a heavy wreath of lilies with pearls on each leaf: a laurel, as known in Victorian times, is meant for good luck, as the main character is about to embark on a new journey of self-discovery. Though her journey is as heavy as her wreath with pain and heartbreak, the little mermaid is seen victorious at the end of the story, signifying her newfound maturity as a woman.  

      In the language of flowers, white lilies represent not only innocence and purity but a sign of love towards the recipient by the one it’s given from. This shows the love and hope of purity (meaning that it is expected of the main character to remain with pure thoughts and actions, which is later shown hiding secrets from her sisters and running away) that the little mermaid’s grandmother has for her grandchild. Last, Victorians had the belief that pearls represented tears; The pearls in the little mermaid’s wreath give a foreshadowing of the tears she must hold back after realizing her hopes of marrying the prince are destroyed. However, the pearls in her wreath are also a representation of her transformation into a woman; Pearls are formed due to an irritant that is uncomfortable for the oyster, reflecting the pain that becoming a woman takes.  

        The last piece of attire, eight large oyster shells are attached to the little mermaid’s tail, she immediately lets her grandmother know that the decoration hurt her but is responded with the phrase, ‘pride must suffer,’ or as most women know, ‘beauty is pain.’  The analogy of the oyster shells and corsets is important to understand as in Victorian times, a young woman would start wearing corsets at the age of fifteen. What do corsets do? Besides hurting and misshaping the ribcage and organs its purpose was to restrain women, laced tightly this would restrict breathing leading to fainting. Because of this, women had to walk slowly, as if meant to not let them walk fast or run. The oyster shells and corsets represent being tied down, not wanting to let a woman come outside the box she has been placed in, hence the little mermaid mentioning the attire being heavy and expressing wanting to take it off as soon as possible. This symbolizes the desire of freedom to explore and learn new things after being molded to be what society expects of a refined and noble young woman who is soon to be wed off. Which in Victorian history, the ages of eighteen and twenty-six were the average age of marriage for women, this makes sense as to why the little mermaid ran away from home.  

        To conclude, the little mermaid now being seen from this new perspective is a young woman who has been protected and is suddenly being thrown into a new world of femininity filled with expectations that clearly, she wasn’t happy with following. Hans Christian Andersen gave a voice to young women who felt the same way as his little mermaid did and dreamed of liberating themselves from the strict society of the Victorian era. Through the portrayal of her attire and feelings towards the obstacles that she finds in her journey, not only does it bring light to a hardship of centuries but also opens a door for young women to relate to her situation and find consolation and motivation to break free.  

 Work Cited

 Bacchilega, Cristina, and Marie Alohalani Brown. “The Little Mermaid.” The Penguin Book of Mermaids, Cristina Bacchilega, 2019, pp. 113–130. 

Odysseus and His Relatable Acceptance

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Rigo De Leon

ECL 305

Professor Pressman

March 3rd, 2024

For many people, writing is an outlet to convey emotions and gives writers the opportunity to combine their subconscious thoughts with their creativity. Reading stories that were written centuries ago gives readers the opportunity to see what the writer was going through at the time through the wording of their sentences, the imagery they choose to provide, and messages they leave for readers. By studying “Odysseus and the Sirens” which is a chapter in Homer’s “Odyssey”, Odysseus becomes infatuated with the siren song, and professes that he will tie himself to his ship, and be the only one in his crew to refrain from protecting his ears. Odysseus speaks in the form of a poem, which gives the reader a much better understanding of what he is going through, and also gives the reader the opportunity to relate to him by the way he conveys his feelings. As he is facing death, this passage hints at the idea that Odysseus is overcome with existential wonder that he shares with humanity as he enters the opening moments of the experience he has been longing for for years. The demonic imagery induces fear in Odysseus, but this is counteracted by the calming personification of the ocean, which leaves Odysseus with a relatable feeling of acceptance to whatever his fate may be.

The conflicting imagery in this passage is extremely important because it gives an idea as to how unsure Odysseus is made to feel in that moment. His initial reaction to meeting the Sirens makes him recall how the “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.” (43). The text makes it clear that through all the impending chaos, he is able to take in the nature around him as a natural coping mechanism. In reality, this may have only induced more fear in him. Such calmness caused by what he believes to be evil creatures juxtaposes what humans are conditioned to believe should happen when faced with danger. Did Odysseus see massive waves that threatened the safety of the boat? Did he see large, brainless brutes that could rip him apart? No. He experienced tranquility in his environment. The passage breaks down an experience that most people can relate to, that being the moment where people lose all power, and can do absolutely nothing but accept whatever fate is in store.

Odysseus has lived his life believing that these beautiful creatures are ultimately demonic and deadly, yet he is still willing to try to outsmart them in order to hear their song, which could prove to be fatal to not only him but his entire crew. By asking for only he “alone, with fetters firmly bound, The gods allow to hear the dangerous sound” (41). Odysseus emits a natural human response by sacrificing safety for the sake of honoring his desire of knowledge. Sacrifice is a very normal aspect to humanity, especially when curiosity consumes people. Odysseus proclaims that the gods will let him hear what he desires to hear. This is important to the rest of the story because it shows that Odysseus believes in a higher power. Given that this was written before the beginning of Christianity, it not only predicts how people behave once Christianity is brought to life, but it also proves that fate and a belief in a higher power is a principle that has existed throughout the existence of humanity. People find themselves closest to a higher power when experiencing a life threatening event. By mentioning the fetters, which are essentially chains that are restraining him, he is displaying a sense of hope that he will survive this encounter with the Sirens. Odysseus portrays a longing for wisdom and excitement, yet he is granted the knowledge that is needed for a chance to survive. People act similarly in the modern age in forms such as adrenaline rushes. There are people who risk their lives jumping out of planes, surviving in the woods alone, or deep sea diving who search for enticing experiences for the sake of pleasure. Similarly to Odysseus, the people that crave adrenaline accept their fates in order to slightly scratch the large itch that is meant to satisfy existential wonder.

As Odysseus prepares to encounter the Sirens, he further shows his animalistic wonder by making an effort to cover the ears of his crew. With “every sail [they] furl, each oar [they] ply; Lash’d by the stroke, the frothy waters fly. The ductile wax, with busy hands” Odysseus molds. The effort that is put into preparation for their encounter is treated like a space mission: Both require a lot of thought and knowledge, both are extremely dangerous, and both are not completely necessary. The world is big enough to provide those with the necessities they need. Despite people being programmed to value their lives, they have beat the natural world by being conscious enough to fight their primal instincts of survival for the sake of desire. Through his writings, Homer unintentionally shows us that human instincts have not changed from how they were thousands of years ago.

When Odysseus finally encounters the Sirens, they make an effort to make him succumb to his temptations. The Sirens sing their beautiful song, but instead of providing direct knowledge and wisdom, they use their voices to “instruct the soul, and charm the ear.” If Odysseus chooses to “Approach, [his] soul will shall into raptures rise” (43). Resisting temptation is a completely unnatural human response to a situation. Temptation is a concept that was constructed along with religion and society. Fighting temptation is what separates humans from animals, as humans are able to come together and think not only for themselves, but for those around them as well. Odysseus uses all of his strength to resist the urge to join the Sirens. 

One of the most impactful aspects of this story is the fact that the readers do not get to find out how Odysseus felt about the Siren song. The story ends abruptly after they simply sail past the Sirens. The readers should see this and rethink what the point of the entire text was. Homer leads people to believe that there will be a rewarding payoff to all of Odysseus’ work and desire. Instead, readers spend time learning about Odysseus’s battle against temptation. One could look at this and relate it to an experience they could have where the struggle of completing a task completely overshadows the feeling of success or satisfaction that they expected. Through Odysseus’ poem, he provides a relatable experience that can be related to universally, where he honors desire beyond what he knows is right, despite being at the hands of death.

Midterm Discovery Assignment

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Ana Dilan 

ECL 305 

Professor Pressman

3 March 2024 

“Poor Things”: Your New Favorite Mermaid Movie 

Satirical black comedy, a Victorian Gothic fairy tale, or a loose and surrealist retelling of Frankenstein–Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things” (2023), a film adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel of the same name, is a multifaceted story with an equally multi-faceted protagonist. Played by Emma Stone, Bella Baxter, though blatantly marketed as a Frankenstein’s-monster type of creature, possesses the curiosity and wisdom akin to the mermaids of mermaid folklore. As such, the character herself and the projection of her arc adds the film to the expansive shelf of mermaid folklore and makes “Poor Things” a mermaid movie. 

Like mermaids, Bella is a hybrid creature of sorts. She is a reanimated corpse composed of the body of an adult woman and the brain of an infant. The doctor who reassembles and reanimates her and acts as her father figure tells Bella that he pulled her body from the river, a body of water and what would be a mermaid’s dwelling place. This state of hybridity exposes not just Bella’s multifaceted nature but the nature of the men around her. Bella’s naivete is exploited by a corrupt attorney named Duncan Wedderburn, but this same character detests her curiosity and thirst for knowledge while appreciated by her father and the friends she makes. 

Bella’s appearance has very mermaid-like characteristics. The most obvious characteristic is her long black hair, reminiscent of the portrayal of many mermaids before her. Her fashion and clothing choices also set her apart from the rigid Victorian-era fashions she is surrounded by. Holly Waddington, the film’s costume designer, chose to forego the use of the corset for Bella and instead decided to dress the character in “a constant state of deconstruction,” akin to “a child dressing from a parent’s wardrobe.” (Whistles, 2024) One of the costume pieces Bella wears earlier in the film is called a lobster bustle, a piece which she wears over her clothes instead of under. This undergarment was used to give the wearer the archetypal Victorian silhouette but in this case, makes Bella look off-putting because of the order in which she wears it and because it gives her bottom half the appearance of a sea creature rather than a human’s. 

Bella takes on both a physical and symbolic journey towards self-discovery as she is taken on a cruise ship headed for Athens, a city known for its philosophers, and befriends two passengers who introduce her to philosophy. It is on the sea where she becomes more conscious of herself, the world, and its people around her. She questions societal norms and the roles of individuals in enforcing these norms, seeking to improve society by improving herself through knowledge and sharing said knowledge. Later on in the film, she also decides to follow in her father’s/creator’s footsteps to become a surgeon and even joins a socialist club. Through this, Bella invokes the traits of the Babylonian myth of Oannes and his ability to share his knowledge towards the ancient Babylonians. (Bacchilega, et. al., 3)

Works Cited

Bacchilega, Cristina. Penguin Book of Mermaids. Penguin Publishing Group, 2019. 

“In Conversation with Holly Waddington: Costume Designer of the New Film ‘Poor Things,’ on Working with Yorgos Lanthimos and the Concept behind the Captivating Costumes: Inspiration: Whistles |.” Whistles, 26 Feb. 2024, www.whistles.com/inspiration/interviews/in-conversation-with-holly-waddington-costume-designer-of-the-new-film-poor-things-on-working-with-yorgos-lanthimos-and-exploring-the-concept-behind-the-captivating-costumes.html. 

Close-Reading Midterm: Oannes

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Hiba Aljawad

“Oannes” And Human Development

To progress as a human civilization, we must look beyond ourselves for progress and future development. Earth and its non-human attributes existed before humans did, and there is a lot to be learned from non-human creations that would significantly impact human existence. “Oannes” teaches us to view and respect nonhuman creatures to gain knowledge and wisdom that is necessary for human existence, progress, and development. 

As a society, it has been instilled in us to be fearing of non-human creatures. Looking at human civilizations, order and progress have been necessary to further the expansion of human development. The role that nature plays in this expansion is vital to the progress of our societies. This is significant because nature is what pushes order and progress in our universe. Furthermore, we define nonhuman creatures as part of the natural ecosystem that keeps the “order” in our universe. By learning from nonhuman creatures instead of fearing them, we can gain further knowledge and wisdom that will broaden our understanding and advance our learning in the world. 

“Oannes” expands on the idea that humans are in need of help from nature to advance and improve the world. In the introduction to “Oannes”, The Book of Mermaids reports that Oannes, as well as other hybrid creatures, are characterized as “holders of knowledge” (pg. 3). This emphasizes the point that nonhuman creatures are a source for a deeper understanding of the world. This concept is significant because by respecting nonhuman creatures as “holders of knowledge”, we gain a deeper understanding of how our world is connected which fosters the acceptance of wisdom that is present in nonhuman creatures. Moreover, “Oannes” makes it apparent that people need guidance by pointing out that in Bayblon there was” a great resort of people… who inhabited Chaldea, and lived without rule and order, like the beasts of the field” (pg. 3). This idea highlights that human nature is to act beastly. To be specific, we commonly fear nonhuman creatures for their animalistic behaviors and sporadic tendencies; however, through natural kingdoms, we learn a lot about the rule and order in our ecosystems which helps foster a better understanding of our environment. Through this understanding, these ecosystems are replicated to a certain extent to create a balance between humans and other nonhuman entities. We can derive wisdom from nonhuman creatures and “Oannes” illustrates this by noting that the appearance of “an animal endowed with reason” surfaced the land (pg. 3). This hybrid creature– Oannes, encompassed the body of a fish with a second head underneath the fish head and legs like that of man (pg. 4). This illustration draws the differences between the hybrid creature and humans which foreshadows the idea that despite the differences, this creature holds an abundance of knowledge. To expand on this, Oannes would “converse with men, but took no food at that season; and he gave them an insight into letters, sciences, and every kind of art” (pg. 4). This example highlights the selflessness of Oannes as a teacher of valuable knowledge that does not ask for anything in return. This is significant because it teaches humans that through empathy, collaboration is fostered which enables growth and societal progress. Furthermore, Oannes taught many things that would help push a society forward such as to “construct houses, to found temples, to compile laws…” and “everything which could tend to soften manners and humanise mankind” (pg. 4). This example suggests that without nature being our teacher and source of knowledge, humans would not have been able to shape human civility. This notion is significant because it molds the idea that through valuing and respecting nonhuman creatures, we progress as a society through compassion and esteemed civility. To highlight the respect that is deserved to Oannes, the writer notes that “when the sun set it was the custom of this Being to plunge into the sea… for he was amphibious” (pg. 4). This emphasizes his nonhuman nature to demonstrate that nature is a human ally, working with us and shares the common goal of progression and advancement in this world. This encourages the suppression of fear in nonhuman creatures and fosters trust to be built to expand the goal of seeking knowledge. 

To conclude, the myth of “Oannes” teaches us that human progression and the craving for knowledge and wisdom can be accomplished by learning from nonhuman creatures, which is possible through respect and value. Our fear of anything nonhuman sets us back as a civilization and prevents our growth. In other words, the wisdom gained from nature could outweigh the fears we have. 

Works Cited 

Bacchilega and Brown, The Penguin Book of Mermaids, Penguin books, 2019

Oannes

Midterm Close Reading Assignment

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Ashley Rubin 

3 March, 2024

Pressman 

Midterm 

The chapter “Freak Shows and Fantasies” from “Merpeople: A Human History” by Vaughn Scribner proves that the media has always greatly influenced the public’s opinions of those different than them. This chapter tells how stories of merpeople were spread through newspapers in the 19th century, providing sightings and hoaxes, and how that compares to public opinion of marginalized groups. People based their beliefs off of what the newspapers had to say just as how the media still plays a big role in the beliefs people hold on those different from them today. 

“Freak Shows and Fantasies” focuses on the nineteenth-century Western world, specifically in Britain and America. This era was characterized by significant urbanization, economic growth, scientific advancements, technological innovations, and shifts in demographics. Such transformations contributed to a rapidly changing society, where people were increasingly interconnected and exposed to new ideas and experiences. Newspapers were gaining popularity, featuring an increasing number of stories focused on mermaid sightings. With their rising numbers, newspapers became integral to shaping the media and its effect on the public.  “This chapter’s analytical arc is largely reliant on the boom in popular press in the nineteenth-century West. By the early nineteenth century, newspapers and periodicals became the most efficient means through which to transmit information to the broadest portion of the populace” (Scribner, 127). Scribner describes here the pivotal role of the popular press in shaping public perception during this time. Media is a means of communication that can reach a large audience and take an influence on that audience. By the year 1860, the United States was giving its citizens access to over 3,000 newspapers. The Western world was not a time where everyone was accepted no matter what they looked like, believed in, or where they were from. Societal norms and prejudices often dictated who was deemed acceptable or desirable, and individuals who deviated from these norms faced marginalization and discrimination. This can be proved especially true through the increase of stories being told about mermaids and how the public perceived this based on what newspapers had been reporting.

While the argument over whether or not mermaids were real might seem far-fetched in comparison to the discrimination of marginalized groups, its role during this period proved how unaccepting the world can be. Between 1810 and 1845 mermaid sightings were being reported in the paper at least four times a year. As mentioned before, most civilians of this time were getting their news from these newspapers and these newspapers only. “Periodicals were, as one nineteenth-century writer exclaimed, ‘the owners and stars’ of heaven and Earth. Therefore, everyone from greedy hucksters to erudite academics carved out space in this popular medium, for nowhere else could they spread their message so broadly and proficiently. This makes them ideal vehicles through which to delve into Westerners’ investigations of merpeople between 1800 and 1900” (Scribner, 128). The belief of whether or not mermaids were real was high during this period. As the fascination with mermaid sightings began, many people believed that they could be real. This is because newspapers were publishing stories that favored verified mermaid sightings rather than hoaxes and mistrusting sources. The papers also emphasized stories that highlighted human interactions with merpeople along with cultural poems and songs. The choices of these papers ignited the public’s interest and acceptance of merpeople. In doing so, newspapers not only reflected societal attitudes but also played an influential role in shaping beliefs about the existence of mermaids during this era of curiosity and exploration. 

Following the year 1845 the view on mermaids and other mythical creatures began to shift. “With the humbuggery of Eades and Barnum so publicized over the past thirty years, newspapers primarily printed pieces that concentrated on the hoaxes and frauds surrounding mermaids and tritons. These articles usually employed a mocking – if not deriding – tone, and sometimes even targeted certain political groups or people” (Scribner, 128). The influence of P.T. Barnum increased the curiosity and talk about mermaids and other unique creatures. Barnum was well known for his display and fascination with unconventional people and creatures. His knack for showmanship not only entertained but also shaped popular perceptions and discussions around these subjects. When Barnum’s Feejee Mermaid was proven to be fake, the journalistic view on mermaids shifted along with the public’s opinion. This shift happened quickly and proved how much of an influence newspapers, or the media, had on those who were consuming it. People went from completely believing in the idea that merpeople could be real to immediately taking detest on that idea. This transformation showed the power of the media to shape and influence societal norms. It revealed how quickly public opinion could be swayed by journalistic narratives, highlighting the balance between belief and skepticism. The evolution of attitudes towards mermaids serves as an example of the dynamic between media, perception, and cultural discourse in shaping societal beliefs and values.

This can easily be compared to the acceptance and unacceptance of marginalized groups. When the media is highlighting positive stories of mermaids, the public has interest and acceptance. As the media started to shift its reporting, it became clear that the public no longer accepted the idea that mermaids could be real. This chapter takes place during the nineteenth-century Western world, a time when groups such as women, racial minorities, lower socioeconomic groups, and religious minorities were not accepted by the rest of the world. Similar to the beliefs about mermaids, the opinion of the majority on these groups was due to news coverage. Newspapers had the power to cover these groups in both a positive and negative light. They had the power to release coverage that was either supportive or hostile. Whichever way the papers would cover these groups is how the majority of people would think of them and in return treat them. A specific example of this during this period is the treatment and coverage of women. Due to the patriarchal attitudes of the time, newspapers had the choice to either support women’s rights or oppose them. Depending on which paper audiences were reading affected their opinions on women and their rights. If a paper was supporting women’s rights and publishing stories that painted the movement in a positive light, its readers were likely to support the marginalized group. If a paper was opposing women’s rights and talking about them in a negative light, its readers most likely did not support the group or the movement. The influence of newspapers on public opinion was high, as readers often relied on them as primary sources of information and as guides for societal norms. The framing of stories and editorials by newspapers had huge effects on how marginalized groups were perceived and treated by society as a whole. The comparison between these groups and mermaids highlights the power dynamics apparent in media representation and its impact on social attitudes and behaviors. By diving deeper into the comparison between the perception of mermaids and the treatment of marginalized groups, insight is given into the ideas and views of identity, representation, and power in nineteenth-century Western society.

The ideas presented in this chapter are significant because they are still relevant in today’s modern society. The media plays an important role in our society and has an extreme amount of power when it comes to influencing public opinion. In today’s world, the media serves as a primary source of information and a crucial platform for news, entertainment, and cultural narratives. With the large presence of digital media and social networking platforms, the reach and impact of the media have expanded, furthering its influence on public opinion and perception. Through selective reporting, editorial decisions, and the use of persuasion, the media can sway public opinion, reinforce existing beliefs, or challenge established ones. A modern-day example that can be compared to both the belief of merpeople and opinions on women’s rights in the nineteenth century is the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. The LGBTQ+ community has been fighting for years to be fully accepted and treated as equals in society. This is a group that has had a continuous struggle with acceptance and is still being impacted by the media. The media still varies in its coverage of the LGBTQ+ community, oftentimes painting the group in a negative light. Society seems to go back and forth with its acceptance of the community quite often in recent years. When the media highlights positive stories people become more accepting but the rise of social media has made it even more difficult for the group to be accepted. Social media has offered both opportunities for visibility and acceptance but has also opened up spaces for harassment, bullying, and hate speech. This can make it challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals to find acceptance and support in online spaces and can increase harmful stereotypes and misinformation, proving how much of a role the media plays in acceptance. Just as the media played a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions and attitudes towards issues similar to this in the nineteenth century, it continues to have significant influence over the acceptance and treatment of marginalized communities like the LGBTQ+ community today.

In conclusion, the chapter “Freak Shows and Fantasies” from “Merpeople: A Human History” by Vaughn Scribner offers profound insights into the influence of the media on shaping public perceptions and attitudes towards marginalized groups both in the nineteenth-century and modern-day society. By examining the role of newspapers and their impact on the beliefs of both marginalized groups and mermaids in nineteenth-century Western society, the chapter underscores the pivotal role of media in disseminating information, framing narratives, and influencing societal norms and how that idea is still apparent today.

Works Cited

Scribner, Vaughn. Merpeople: A Human History. Reaktion Books Ltd, 2020.

Midterm Assignment: Japanese Mermaids

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Sophia Fugazzotto 

ECL 305 

Professor Pressman 

March 2nd, 2024

Japanese Tales: The Mermaid 

During the latter half of the 19th century, Japan made the transition from a feudal military country to a colonial power under the Meiji Era. Along with the adoption of Western ideas came the industrialization of the country (“A Brief History”). The Meiji Era ushered in coal and chemical plants, mills, refineries, copper mines, and pollutants (Seagrove 2). These new technologies brought new language too–the coining of the word “kogai” which Seagrove (1) describes as “industrial pollution that damages human health and the environment” (p.1). Despite the awareness of the negative environmental costs of industrialization, Japan continued to prioritize economic development as they gained global power. In the Japanese tale The Mermaid, the middle-aged man’s decision to release the mermaid reflects this human-first attitude adopted during the industrial revolution in the 1890s. 

The Mermaid follows the story of a middle-aged man who lives by himself, having never married. When fishing one day, the man catches a mermaid. On page 206 of The Penguin Book of Mermaids, the passage reads: “ ‘Desinit in piscem mulier formosa superne.’ The mermaid’s face was tearful, for the hook was in her cheek, and there was also the shame of being forcibly dragged out of her native element; and the angler was a man of tender heart” (p. 206). The strong use of imagery in this quote, of the hook in the cheek and forcible dragging, represents the strong hand of the Japanese in trying to conquer the environment through technological advances. The usage of the phrase “native element” also reveals the use of a mermaid as a symbol for the environment, and the relationship between this man and mermaid represents interactions between Japanese and the environment. The Latin words, at the beginning of this quote, and presumably stated by the man, loosely translates to ‘the beautiful woman ends in a fish’s tail’. The structure of this sentence (and in the quotation) reveals how he sees the mermaid as a human first, and then secondly an element of nature, reflecting the human-first frame of mind this story was written in. 

The man then contemplates what to do with the mermaid. The way that he ponders about what to do with her represents the commercialization of the environment that Japan was undergoing: “Gently extracting the hook from her jaws, he held her in his hands and meditatively speculated on the money which he could gain by selling her to an itinerant exhibition, or the long life which he might obtain by eating her flesh” (p.206) Many new technologies, such as power plants and mines were sources of economic gain from the environment in Japan. Not only does this quote represent commercialization and the commodification of nature, but it also illustrates the tensions in the transitional period that the Meiji Era brought. Choosing to sell the mermaid to an exhibition may have resulted from the newfound international trade brought in by the new era, while eating the mermaid comes from a Japanese belief involving immortality, and is more connected to the traditional eras of Japan. The man’s struggle between this choice represents the economic tug of war between an isolated, feudal Japan and the new, colonial Japan that was developing. In addition, the imagery of the man holding her in his hands contributes to the idea of Japan dominating and controlling nature, through how small and powerless it makes her appear.

Despite the two initial choices presented, the man decides to release the mermaid back into the water. However, his reasoning behind the release is not of respect for nature, or pity. The author states: “But his soul revolted at the thought of eating this fair creature, that whimpered and cried like a human being, and so after another long gaze he threw it back into the waves, when the mermaid, waving its grateful adieux, speedily dived out of sight” (p.206). The man does not choose to release the mermaid for any reason but that it reminds him of himself. This reflects the human-first attitude that the Meiji Era brought as it prioritized human advancement over preservation and respect for the environment. Had the mermaid not “whimpered and cried like a human being”, the man would not have returned her to the water, and would have made the choice between selling or eating her. Although the text describes the man as “a man of tender heart”, it seems his tenderness only extended to those who look and act like himself, not to all living beings in the world. This description of the mermaid also reflects how nature is at the mercy of the industrialization of Japan, since the man is the one in control. The mermaid’s gratefulness also contributes to this power dynamic. 

Interestingly enough, this tale was published in English in a magazine in Tokyo. This decision to use the English language, as opposed to Japanese, may be another hint toward the Westernization of Japan at this time–as many citizens were sent to Europe to learn about how their country operated. Whether this story can be considered propaganda for the government and modernization, or perhaps a tale created from integration of European ideas and the story of Melusine, is unknown, but it does comment on many concepts of the Meiji Era–of modernization, power, transition. This developmental era in Japan’s history brought about much change for all of Japan, and this tale is an important representation of the attitudes toward nature in Japan during the Meiji Era.

Works Cited

Bacchilega, Cristina. Penguin Book of Mermaids. Penguin Publishing Group, 2019. 

Japan, Heartland. “A Brief History of Japan from the Late 19th Century to the Early 20th 

Century. – Heartland Japan.” Heartland Japan – Your Gateway to the Heartland of Japan. 

Heartland Japan Offers Unforgettable Experiences for Walking, Cycling, Hiking, and 

More., 15 Jan. 2024, 

heartlandjapan.com/a-brief-history-of-japan-from-the-late-19th-century-to-the-early-20th

-century/#:~:text=Throughout%20the%201870s%20and%20reaching,without%20benefit

ing%20the%20common%20folk. Accessed 02 Mar. 2024. 

Seagroves, Amy, “Environmental History of Japan” (2009). Student Theses 2001-2013. 69. 

https://fordham.bepress.com/environ_theses/69