Pacific Index

Emma Blackwell reclaims the mermaid narrative in her capstone project

   For senior Emma Blackwell, capstone season is in full swing. As a double major in literature and creative writing, Blackwell is spending her final year at Pacific bringing together four years of research, reading, and writing into a project that reexamines one of mythology’s well-known figures: the mermaid.

   For her literature capstone, Blackwell focuses on the evolution of the mermaid and siren, tracing how the figure has shifted across time and culture. “My capstone is about how the mermaid had been a spectacle shown to represent gender roles and dynamics,” Blackwell explained.

   Historically, mermaids were often portrayed as dangerous temptresses or passive objects of fascination. They’re characters shaped largely through male-authored narratives. Blackwell’s research analyzes how the mermaid functioned as a symbol of patriarchal anxieties about female autonomy, desire, and power. By examining folklore, literary texts, and modern reinterpretations, she explores how the mermaid’s canon was constructed and reinforced over centuries.

   “I’m focusing on the subversion of the mermaid’s narrative over time, and what the mermaid as a figure means,” she said. Central to her thesis is the idea that contemporary writers and scholars have begun to challenge the traditional canon. Rather than remaining a spectacle, the mermaid has increasingly become a site of resistance and reclamation. She explained that her project looks closely at how contemporary writers challenge the traditional canon and reinterpret the mermaid outside of the roles originally assigned to her. Rather than remaining a spectacle shaped by patriarchal storytelling, “She’s being reclaimed,” Blackwell said. “It has become a reclamation piece for a lot of women.”

   Beyond her capstone research, Blackwell has been deeply involved in the campus literary community. As co-president of English Club, she has helped foster a creative and collaborative environment for writers. “The literature and creative writing department in general has grown so much in the last four years,” she said. “It’s provided such a fun and amazing space for a lot of writers and people on-campus.”

   She credits the English Department with giving her opportunities that shaped her academic path. From writing for GoBoxers to receiving mentorship from faculty, Blackwell says the encouragement she received made a lasting impact. “The support from the professors has been critical,” she said. With guidance and mentorship from Professor Josie Kochendorfer, Blackwell successfully applied to and was accepted into a Ph.D. program, where she plans to continue her education. “They’ve encouraged me to move forward in my work and further my education,” she added.

   As she continues working on her capstone this semester, Blackwell hopes her research encourages others to think differently about the stories they’ve always known, by questioning who gets to shape a narrative.