Ocean Literacy in Seaside Sanctuary Series: Exploring the Interconnectivity Between Ocean and Humans

Abstract

This research explores the interconnectivity between ocean and humans in Emma Carlson Berne’s Seaside Sanctuary series. These four books have the same main character, Elsa Roth. Elsa had a crucial role because she was always trying to rescue and safeguard the animals from all the challenges they faced. It is reinforced by the fact that Elsa's parents were marine biologists at Seaside Sanctuary—a place where the main goal was to preserve marine animals. The portrayal of her crucial role is also supported because Elsa was becoming the volunteers at Seaside Sanctuary. In the rescue mission of the animals, Elsa is assisted by other characters like best friend, her parents, and other sanctuary crews who have the same goal as her because she is surrounded by people who work in sanctuary for marine animals. There are two problems that are discussed in this research. The first is how the interconnectivity between ocean and humans is represented in Seaside Sanctuary series. The second is the position of the author in representing the discourse of the interconnectivity between ocean and humans in the four books of Seaside Sanctuary series. This research uses the theory of representation by Stuart Hall (1997), particularly the constructionist approach and Michael Foucault’s discursive approach. This qualitative research provides a close reading method to collect data regarding the interconnectivity between ocean and humans in the series, both from primary data in the form of selected words, phrases, thoughts, dialogues, or narratives and secondary data in the form of information from books, journal articles, websites, online news, also emailed interview. The results of this analysis indicate that the discourse of the interconnectivity between ocean and humans in Seaside Sanctuary series is represented through the acts of each of the characters inside the series towards the animals (orcas, pelicans, dolphins, and otters). It shows that there are several characters are always tried to preserve the animals, but some of them do not. In every book, Elsa (the main character), Olivia (Elsa’s best friend), Elsa’s parents, and Seaside Sanctuary (SS) crews are constantly wanted to protect the animals. Consequently, the characters who act favorably to the animals: Orca in Open Water: San Juan Sanctuary (SJS) crews; Oil-Soaked Wings: Members of South Carolina Students' Environmental Action Network; A Dolphin Named Star: Elsa, Olivia, Elsa’s parents, and SS crews; The Disappearing Otters: Anson. Meanwhile, the characters who act negatively to the animals: Orca in Open Water: Davis (Oceanarium’s representative); Oil-Soaked Wings: Coastal Oil Company; A Dolphin Named Star: CACM Company; The Disappearing Otters: Megan. In addition, Berne’s answers from the emailed interview represent the author’s position in representing the discourse of the interconnectivity between ocean and humans in the series. By writing these four books with the theme of ocean sanctuary and through her action as a volunteer to clean up the creeks and rivers in her neighborhood, Berne shows her position as an author that she has an awareness and concern about the health of the ocean and its inhabitants.