Name That Tune

Where sirens sing, shipwreck and death follow. These creatures have bewitched sailors since the time of Euripides, though their most famous appearance occurs in Homer’s 8^th century Odyssey. The last century was a boon as well, thanks to Kafka’s short story “The Silence of the Sirens” and that one GI Joe episode where a siren conch robbed such luminaries as Snow Job, Zap and Flint of their free will.

You’ve come a long way from vase paintings, Parthenope. Here’s to continued mytho-poetics…

Gone Girl

Rosamund Pike plays Amy, the quintessential siren in the film based on Gillian Flynn’s novel. With each new persona Amy lures the opposite sex, ruining the reputations of some, killing others. Framing her husband for spousal murder then returning to live the picture-perfect marriage, she takes villainy to the next level. Another Flynn adaptation, Dark Places, premieres in August, the author’s Masks having debuted as a comic book last February.

Date Rape

One in four college women fall victim to rape. Every 21 hours there is a new campus-based assault. Ninety percent of the time, the rapist’s identity is known. While many cases go unreported, these statistics verify the fact that date rape remains a prevalent issue. The perpetrator becomes the siren, enchanting their victims, then taking advantage of them by drugs and force. No song here. Charm and the mere slip of a substance into a drink is their call.

This fairy-tale file brought to you by editorial assistant Katherine DiChristofano and poetry editor Jon Riccio.