Manipulation And Deception In Margaret Atwood's 'Siren Song'

Ashley Rodriguez- Peralta Ms. Kathleen Martin Honors English III March 1, 2024 Siren Song Is life a paradox? In the “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood, the Sirens are three mythical creatures that are half-woman and half-bird from Greek mythology who lure sailors to destruction by the sweetness of their song. The Sirens represent the theme of Manipulation and Deception in this poem because they deceive the sailors into believing they are the only ones who can save them. The siren manipulates them into falling into their trap: death. The poem uses literary devices and tones in how the Siren represents the theme of Manipulation and Deception. The speaker introduces the irresistible allure of the siren’s song, which compels men to abandon reason and leap into treacherous waters despite warning signs. The …show more content…

She tells them her song is a plea for help, she is weak and needs the help. Though it seems simple, the song still works in catching people. In the concluding stanzas, Atwood introduces a paradoxical twist to the siren’s song, revealing its true nature as a “cry for help.” The speaker’s plea for assistance amidst the monotony of her enchantment of irony to her manipulation: “Only you, only you can, you are unique at last.” The siren’s flattery is categorized as paradox and irony. It reveals her inner powerlessness when she looks for beauty and admiration from the man to compensate for her diminished self-esteem. Through the structure of the siren’s cries, the supposedly mighty appearance of the siren’s persona herds the powerful listener to help her. This analysis of the topic of paradox and irony warps out the theme of manipulation with the complex water of beauty and dependence in it, which gives more weight and emphasis. In Atwood’s poem on the West Coast, the sirens are like a musical instrument of enticing voices. Similarly, Lana del Rey’s song uses the sirens’ alluring voices as a beautiful