The Year of Magical Thinking that reading the poem helped her in the aftermath of her husband's death. In a lighter vein, it has also recently influenced Liz Kessler in her popular children's series featuring Emily Windsnap, a teenage girl who is really a mermaid. The poem speaks to us of the conflict between the heart and the soul. Does Margaret leave the watery kingdom to find salvation, or does she betray her true feelings and find nothing more than a living death? Arnold reminds us that in life there are always points of cruel decision, of betrayal, and of loss--but through it all remains the beauty and sorrow of love.
from Christopher Nield: The Epoch Times: The Antidote--Classic Poetry for Modern Life: A Reading from 'The Forsaken Merman' by Matthew Arnold
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