The Story Of Persephone: Dangers of Unsupervised Play

Lia Martinez 

Essay 7

Story of Persephone 

The old adage states: “If you love something, set it free.”  It seems like a simple premise, but is much more difficult in practice.  How and when, for example, should a mother set a child free to make their own decisions?  There is, arguably, nothing as powerful and dedicated as a mother’s love.  But even that pure love can become overbearing because a mother always wants to keep their child safe.  It can be very hard to let go of someone you care for deeply.  This struggle can be seen in the example of Demeter and Persephone, a beautiful goddess mother-daughter duo.  Persephone is no longer a young child and wants to spend time with her friends.  Her mother, with only the best intentions, agrees to let her do so.  While one could argue that this was the kind and loving thing to do, in my opinion, it was not the right decision.  Whenever a child desires more independence, the specific circumstances must be considered.

    I strongly believe that Demeter was wrong to let Persephone play without supervision for three obvious but very unquestionable reasons: Persephone is young and gullible, she would have no idea what to do in the face of danger, and the guilt would be unbearable if her daughter does get hurt or lost.

    The first reason Demeter was incorrect to allow Persephone play without adult supervision or care is because Persephone is still very young and gullible. As seen in other myths, including this one, the main character is known for her delicate beauty.  She is described as being as dainty as the flowers she collects for her naiad friends.  She is also very dependent upon her mother, relying on her for everything. She’s her closest friend.  If she trusts her mother for her safety and the decisions she makes on a day to day basis, imagine how she would react in the face of peril. She would be easily manipulated and tricked, which could lead to possible threats to her safety.

    The second important reason that Demeter was in the wrong for letting Persephone play without adult supervision or care is because she would have no idea what to do in the face of danger. As stated earlier, Persephone is young and naive, and wants to relish life. But she isn’t mentally or physically equipped for certain situations, and you can't blame her! She‘s lived under her mother’s protection her entire life, and Demeter did not anticipate any dangerous situation because they’re gods! How would she suspect that in the mortal realm one of her own would be the guilty one, and even so, how could she expect a mere miniscule mortal to do such a thing?

    The final reason Demeter was in the wrong for letting Persephone play without adult supervision or care is because the guilt would be unbearable if her daughter got hurt or lost. 

As a parent, there is a weight put upon you to do the best and the most for your children, for their happiness and safety. You are called to nurture and grow your child whilst protecting them from any harm coming their way. And since you are bestowed that responsibility, if anything does go horribly wrong, imagine the pain you’ll go through knowing you’ve messed up. If Persephone gets hurt or lost, Demeter will forever know it was her fault.

    Some people boldly claim that Demeter was correct for letting Persephone play without adult supervision or care. They, without thinking, put forth that Persephone must have previously displayed some sort of trait that would have allowed her mother to let her play alone. But there is no strong evidence to back up this audacious claim.  There is no proof that she had previously done so.  Even if she had, it is a parent’s responsibility to use caution when placing their child in a potentially harmful situation. 

    In addition, they also blindly state that she will be with her friends, but they don't take into account who her friends are. Her friends are Naiads, spirits of the sea who can't come out of the water. If she is in potential jeopardy, they wouldn’t be able to protect her easily. Also, Demeter is abdicating her parental responsibility and asking spirit creatures to do the job meant to be hers. 

    Neither of the inadequate claims, that Persephone must have displayed some sort of trait or that she could be protected by her friends, is valid.

    In conclusion, I believe that Demeter was in the wrong for letting Persephone play without adult supervision or care because Persephone is young and very gullible, the guilt would be unbearable if her daughter were to get hurt or lost, and Persephone would have no idea what to do if faced with danger. This matters to Demeter, because her daughter’s safety and future ride on this seemingly small but definitely stupid decision.