Unpacking Beauty and Identity in ‘Plain Jane and the Mermaid’ by Vera Brosgol
Books aimed at a younger demographic have always fascinated me. When you learn that a piece of media was created with the author’s younger self in mind, it feels like you are given access to a distant memory, a glimpse into the Pensieve, so to speak.
Our protagonist, Jane, is by no account extraordinary. She is, in fact—true to title—rather plain. In Plain Jane and the Mermaid, Vera Brosgol explores how beauty, or the lack thereof, shapes Jane’s world and drives her unexpected journey. Even within the safety of a fantasy novel, a woman’s biggest asset is often still considered her looks, and this lack of exceptional beauty becomes a catalyst in Jane’s story—especially after the unfortunate passing of her parents. Their deaths, harrowing as they were, bring Jane a problem she never anticipated. In order to keep her home, she has to get married (of course, what else would a woman do?). But, as these things go, the only man she could ever imagine marrying is, unfortunately, already promised to another. A mermaid, to be exact.
However, will our heroine handle this dilemma? We soon realize that Jane is, in fact, extraordinary—but not through convention. Her charisma and inner determination drive her into the wonderful underwater world where our story unfolds.
The use of color in this graphic novel truly transports you into the vast underwater world, engrossing the reader in its richness. These panels feel as real as photos thanks to the artist’s excellent use of line work and color. The artist’s clever use of shape and line not only showcases their immense talent but also serves as a visual reminder of the story’s moral core: that looks can be deeply deceiving.
I found the adage that “good” characters are beautiful and “bad” ones are ugly a little tired, a little used, and a little Disney. But the author managed to use these clichés to her advantage, surprising us in the latter half of the book and unraveling that very concept.
I really appreciated the message and moral behind this story, the idea that people belong in certain spaces or groups because of something as trivial as appearance is a concept that has held many people back from living the lives they have wanted; seeing that being turned upside down in this graphic novel really feels like we are moving in a direction we can all be proud of. What are your thoughts on how appearance affects our opportunities in life? Do you have any book recommendations that also touch on this subject?
