My Lady Jane

All three of the novel’s protagonists—Gifford, Jane, and Edward—initially struggle with fully knowing and accepting who they really are. Learning to confront and overcome their insecurities therefore lies at the heart of the three protagonists’ quests, as through their adventures they learn self-respect and self-acceptance. Through their struggles to find and fully control their Ethian forms, the novel explores the challenges and rewards of finding one’s true self.

Gifford understands his horse form: He loves the freedom of running without social constraints or judgement, but his attachment to being a horse also represents how he runs away from his feelings of inadequacy. The fact that he cannot control his changes shows that he lets these feelings govern his life. In order to have full autonomy over himself, he has to stop running from his fears and self-doubt. Gifford gradually grows in confidence through his deepening relationship with Jane and his successful participation in helping Edward win back the crown. He learns to respect himself when he faces down his scheming father, who still can’t acknowledge his value despite his victory, with G realizing that he doesn’t need his father’s approval. He sees that Jane loves and respects him regardless of his form and decides that he has responsibility to her regardless of his self-doubt.