Guardians
Sirena narrates, “ Just a little while ago the three vultures, our guardians , returned to our island of Anthemoessa from a morning of surveying. The birds told us of a ship.” The metaphorical guardian renders the vultures custodians who devotedly apprise the mermaids regarding the manifestations of men. Any communication between the vultures and the mermaids is categorically metaphysical.
Nectar
Sirena affirms, “We are seventeen years old now. All ten of us. And these days our fondest desire is to be in the company of men. Last years another ship came close and our songs were sweet as the god’s nectar.” The nectar signifies agreeable melodies intended to appeal to the men’s responsiveness and affection. Undoubtedly, the mermaids are endowed singers.
Deadened
Sirena states, “At last the skin of my arms and face calms. I look around the deadened faces of my sisters. I need to shake off this gloom.” The figurative deadening designates extreme melancholy which follows the botch of their desires when the target ship does not navigate to their direction.
