Seed Talks: Mermaids, Sea Spirits & Women with Prof Diane Purkiss
About this event
Professor Diane Purkiss examines the cultural significance of mermaids across centuries of history, myth, and storytelling. This Seed Talks session explores how the mermaid figure has evolved from ancient sea-spirits and classical sirens through medieval legends like Melusine to contemporary retellings, considering what these narratives reveal about societal attitudes toward women and outsiders.
The talk traces the mermaid's journey through Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid and its modern adaptations, while investigating lesser-known traditions including selkies, rusalki, and Mami Wata. The discussion considers the symbolic opposition between mermaids and sailors, alongside 21st-century reimaginings that engage with colonial critique, queer identity, and transgender symbolism, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this mythological figure.
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