The Scorpio Races: An Analysis

Maggie Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races tells the story of countless trainers who race to convert majestic beasts of the ocean into mindless machines for entertainment and profit. To be more specific, the races are composed of catching and selling the horse-like beasts as soon as they mysteriously emerge from the sea. They’re then trained using tactics that cause them panic and pain, in attempt to break them of their own free will. These creatures are strong and fierce; far too powerful for a mere human to bond with as if it were a horse. They’re larger, stronger, faster, smarter, and much more bloodthirsty than typical horses. That’s why, despite the cruel training they endure, they’re still able to remain as wild as when they were first caught. The capaill uisce still sing their eerie songs, are driven mad by the sea, and have a thirst for carnage. The people of Thisby, however, still foolishly fantasize that they’ll be able to break the monsters. This is why, when given the illusion that they’re in control of such an extraordinary power, the racers must eventually lose their hold on either the horse or themselves. The creatures that emerge from the sea in this novel are in no way implied to be peaceful. They’re portrayed as demons, ruthless killers, and beasts that should exist only in nightmares. The capaill uisce are more legend than creature; creations of unfathomable power and mystery. As stated on page 45, “The keening cuts through the wind, the sound of the surf, the bustle of activity. It’s the wail of an ancient predator. It’s one thousand miles away from any sound that a natural horse would make.” Since it’s painfully clear that these creatures are out for blood, wouldn’t it make sense to avoid them at all costs? However, the very existence of a competition where people ride and get mauled by these beings proves that their power can’t be left alone. It’s simply human nature to be tempted by the possibility of possessing more power than others. It’s already disturbing enough that the people of Thisby create a whole event for capturing and forcing these beings to do their bidding, but directing their every move is downright vile. By commanding these monsters of the ocean like puppets, the trainers pry them away from their identities. On page 58, the book narrates; “I snap the lead sharply and press the iron into Corr’s chest, before he can call. While he’s in my hands he won’t sing their song.” In this instance, one of the capaill uisce is attempting to sing the siren-like song of its brethren in order to communicate with others in the ocean. However, the trainer deems the interaction inappropriate, and even considers the water horse to be something separate from the rest. The people here had already crossed …show more content…
As the book states on page 387, “But it’s not me he stabs. He slides it along the piebald’s neck, slicing a scarlet line. She is furious with pain.” This character has spent years of his life being compared to the protagonist, even by his own father. He attempts to sabotage his opponent multiple times to no avail. However, he eventually reaches his breaking point. Once he’s next to his nemesis in the race, he cruelly stabs his horse with a knife. In turn, this infuriates the creature and causes it to attack everything it can. It brutally injures several beings, and, in the end, drags its attacker into the sea. Mutt, who was the saboteur, appeared to have planned that turn of events. While there are many sickening aspects of his plan, wielding this creature of the sea as his own knife is perhaps the worst. While Mutt accepted that he would likely die pulling off his plan, the capaill uisce never agreed to be forged into a weapon, and probably would not have been willing to give it’s life for it’s tormenter, had the situation come down to it. However, since Mutt was given control of the aquatic beast’s life, he considered it to be a weapon at his own disposal, rather than a living, breathing, being. He became intoxicated with his new power to the point where this legend of the ocean was just an expendable life, a tool to be used in the destruction of his enemies and