What is the importance of The Blond Woman?

The blond woman whom Bill Whitman meets at the bar in "The Largess of the Sea Maiden" is meant to symbolize the titular sea maiden, or a mermaid. For example, just as mermaids are often described as drawing wandering sailors to them through the use of their beauty and alluring voices, Bill is drawn into the tavern by the melancholic piano music that he hears as he is walking by on the sidewalk. Then, after he orders his drink, he is more directly drawn over to her not just by her attractiveness, but also when she beckons him to come over to her with her finger. While mermaids are sometimes known to accompany tragedy and disaster, they are also known in certain folkloric traditions to be generous and benevolent creatures. Therefore, in regards to her largess, she ultimately gives Bill empathy as she considers herself to be a prisoner in life just as he does.