3/4

3/4 The modern parallel follows Sara and her mother, Lucy. At Belinda's urging, Lucy pushes her daughter toward a wealthy athlete, Stephen, as a way to improve their lives. Sara becomes involved with him, receives his attention and gifts, and then discovers that he has moved on to another woman. The two stories put romance inside a larger pattern of manipulation. Sara's mother has plans for her future, and the Sea Witch has terms for the mermaid's transformation. Both young women are encouraged to pursue something that other people have made look like their escape.