The Female Relationship in “Transfigured Sea”

In “Transfigured Sea,” the relationship between Laura and Daphne is shaped by deep emotional wounds and a shared connection to the ocean. As they navigate their bond, they confront past traumas—Laura’s unresolved issues with her mother and Daphne’s struggle to heal from sexual assault. The ocean serves as a powerful backdrop for their personal growth, offering both women a space for healing, transformation, and the chance to redefine their roles within their unique relationship.

Fantasy in a relationship

When they first met, Laura and Daphne fantasised that they were mother and daughter. Laura had a strong desire for a baby and Daphne missed her own mother with all her heart.

Also, Daphne was ill, lonely and naiive. She needed a great deal of looking after.

Healing

As the relationship grew, they found various problems and differences between them. They decided that their relationship would benefit from individual personal development.

Laura

So Laura worked on her feelings about her own mother. She either felt depressed or angry when she thought of this. There had been an incident where her own mother had tried to prevent her from being involved in poetry writing.

To Laura, creating poetry touched her very being. It was the reality of her Self. Therefore, her mother’s behaviour cut her emotions deeply.

Now, Laura relived this experience, in the safety of the oceanic environment. Nereids ( or sea nymphs) soothed her. Catharsis relieved her spirit, but exhausted her.

Laura needed rest. After this, she set about writing her mother an imaginary letter.

Daphne

In the past, on dry land, Daphne had been sexually assaulted by a sleazy man. At the time, her first thoughts were “Why did such a terrible thing happen to me.” She couldn’t understand it.

The next day was the beginning of deep depression. This lasted on and off for years. She had no one she could talk to.

Now she could talk a little to Laura, but she didn’t like remembering the experience. Her injury was so deep and so painful that she could only be healed by a great deal of nurturing.

The ocean waters themselves were healing. They helped Daphne to float. The dissolved minerals created new stamina in her body.

The nereides cherished her and nourished her. They gave her massages and healthy food and drinks. They said prayers over her and taught her to meditate.

She started to feel better straight away. She now had a strong foundation in herself. She wasn’t scared any more.

Mentoring

Laura was a poet and a biologist and was able to take the leadership role in the relationship. Her magic conch shell gave them information about the sea creatures and about the direction for their swimming.

She may not really have been Daphne’s mother but she could stay adult while Daphne panicked or wept. She could lead the way and could fill Daphne in with the details of the behaviour of marine life.

Daphne is grateful for someone who is stable in the middle of the ocean which is always changing. She wants to grow better but can only see bleak scenarios. She laps up the knowledge about sea creatures and enjoys meeting them.

Baggage for a quest

So they commenced on a journey which they hoped would heal their relationship while they came to know the other inhabitants in the sea.

Learn more about the Transfigured Sea