Metamorphosis

     Metamorphosis occurs when something changes form or shape. A classic phenomena that is touched on in various myths, especially the myths we read in class. For example, in "Alcyone and Ceyx", both Alcyone and Ceyx saw their own metamorphosis. Since Ceyx visited Alcyone in his dream and warned her of his death, they both were transformed into birds. In "Erysichthon", Poseidon turned Erysichthon's mother into a little girl. Erysichthon's mother was old and sick and asked Poseidon to help her from being sold, and Poseidon responded by making the woman a little girl again playing on a beach. Phaeton was eventually burnt to a crisp on the floor. Finally, Baucis and Philemon were transformed into connected trees. Each metamorphosis represents a lesson. For example, Phaeton's fate taught not to smite a god or else you will feel their wrath. Zimmerman takes the myth and successfully modernizes it because she knows what will interest a reader. She did not make major changes to the story themselves, but she made the English easier to understand and follow. Zimmerman was able to take such classic myths and make them relatable, making her adaptation of the myths successful.