Through Margaret Atwood's manipulation of literary devices, her narrative "Siren Song" has clearly depicted the source of Siren's song, revealed the extent of her evil and also proven that Siren herself, like the sailors is one greed
Jayesh Taunk
September 9, 2005
Ms. Andrews
IB English HL 1
Siren Song – Commentary
From the island of Sirenum scopula mysteriously lurks a song, one which all passing seamen yearn to hear. But alas for Siren’s song isn’t one of consummate beauty, but one with the virulent ability to send men to their perilous deaths. A mythical beast, half woman half bird, Odysseus must safely navigate through her treacherous waters and survive her song if he is to return to his beloved Ithaca. Not of gargantuan size like the Cyclops nor one of multiple heads like Scylla, appearing to be a beautiful nymph, Siren’s façade of innocence is never overlooked by unsuspecting sailors who fail to see the monster than she truly is. Written by Margaret Atwood, the revealing narrative, “Siren Song” is a poem in which the Siren speaks of the plight her malignant song reins upon those who dare to cross her isle. From her description, the apparent tone of annoyance and the effect the author creates, it prompts the readers to believe that the intention of the piece is not a simple narrative of Siren’s powers as first seems, but rather a revealing insight into both Siren’s and her song. Through the usage of various literary techniques, Atwood enables the readers to understand the source of the song’s powers, but also to experience a deeper and more profound understanding of Siren’s characteristics and her unquestionable evil.
Narrating the affects of her song, it is unsuspecting to Siren that she sheds light on the true source of her song’s deadly potency, exposing a distinct element. Acknowledging in the first stanza that her song is one which “everyone would like to learn: the song that is irresistible”, Siren recognizes that all who pass aspire not only to hear it, but to control it. Such is their infatuation that men “leap overboard in squadrons even though they see beached skulls” The metaphor ‘beached skulls’ used to represent those who have perished, illustrating that death lies on the shores which makes the sailor’s decisions to sail closer that much more unbelievable – but demonstrates the absolute strength of their desire. The monstrous nymph’s very name, Siren, is one which screams danger and calls for caution but nevertheless, obsessed by their overwhelming thirst, the sailors blindly progress. Enhancing the sea-goers’ desires, reason to covet the song is further given by the fact that “[nobody knows the song]… anyone who had heard it/ is dead, and the others can’t remember.” Not a soul knows of the song’s consuming tune, and for the sailors to have an opportunity to learn it, is simply too precious to forgo. Were they ever to wield it, tremendous power would be placed within their hands – something which every man longed for, therefore the sailor’s feeling of pure necessity is compounded. This lust is perfectly completed as Siren toys with the inviting suggestion of a secret and a predetermined fate. In stanzas three, four and five, Siren entices the sailors by promising them, and only them a secret – “Shall I tell you the secret…I will tell the secret to you...to you only…you are unique” This recurring motif of secrets and uniqueness cleverly paints the picture that the path of the seamen and Siren has already been pre-ordained to cross, their fate written in the starts. And to passers, tell this seems completely genuine. The undeniable sense of destiny together with the thought of a secret told by a beautiful damsel (as she appears) and the chance to wield the irresistible song act together to create an impenetrable trance, and sailors unable to see through it, consequently crash into the surrounding cliffs and rocks to their premature deaths. Although Siren employs the two latter ploys to bait sailors in, the most important factor is the idea of the ‘irresistible song’. The song itself holds no magical power and is not completely responsible for luring in men. Instead, because it is so alluring, it unleashes an embedded greed within men, making them, above all things, crave the song. Therefore, the distinct source of the song’s power is its ability, because it is so exquisite, to unleash an incontrollable avidity within men which consequently causes them to jump to their deaths.
