My Lady Jane

“And now she was selling off her daughter the way one barters a prized mare. Without so much as asking her. Typical.”

This quotation uses grammar to create a conversational tone, starting the sentences with the conjunctions “and” and “without” to suggest that the narrative voice is in mid-flow, addressing the reader directly. The word “typical” adds to this and creates humor, using a modern tone that juxtaposes against the period setting and the high stakes for Jane. The position of women is illustrated by the simile of bartering a horse: They are objects to be sold off, introducing the theme of The Complexities of Freedom and Power. This comparison uses dramatic irony to add to the humor but also build tension: Jane does not yet know that she is going to be married to someone who turns into a horse, but the reader does.

“First of all, G was annoyed that neither of his parents could tell it like it was and use the phrase ‘horse curse,’ instead of referring to it as his ‘equestrian condition’ or a ‘minor daily divergence from humanity,’ or some such nonsense.”

G’s blunt phrasing is juxtaposed against his parents’ use of euphemisms to show the divide between his and their approaches to life. Their inability to speak honestly about it shows their shame of him and their concern for societal reputation. G’s phrasing shows that he is not concerned with fitting in and prefers to be straightforward. However, the fact that he thinks of it as a “curse” shows that he has internalized some of their shame and disapproval. G’s struggle to accept his true identity reflects the theme of Finding One’s True Self.

“[F]or a moment Edward actually hated him for looking so strong and able-bodied. But then Gifford dropped into a bow and Edward remembered he was king.”

This quotation shows that Edward’s jealousy of G marrying Jane is really a manifestation of his sadness over his own sickness, as his aggravation is focused on G’s physical condition above anything else. This moment of envy reflects The Complexities of Freedom and Power, setting up Edward’s journey in the narrative as he comes to realize there are many types of power, and one type does not necessarily give another. This juxtaposition creates humor through Edward’s gloating about his status: It reflects his starting point on his journey, in which he takes his position for granted and feels fundamentally important because of it.

“Together, Jane and Edward made a slow, stately march down the aisle, ignoring the murmurs about how the king seemed sickly, and how the color of her gown made her hair look court-jester red, and how odd and hasty this wedding was. Jane tried to shrink into The Gown.”

The adjectives “slow” and “stately” show the formality of the ceremony, using sibilance to create a solemn tone. The “Gown” is capitalized to show how intimidating and formal everything feels to Jane. The formality contrasts with G and Jane’s informal relationship and their jokey real personalities, reflecting that the marriage is not a personal choice for either of them, but a political matter. The atmosphere of court gossip is created by the judgmental murmurs, creating a sense of unease to build up to the reveal that the court is not a safe place for either of them: The courtiers are fickle and self-interested. Their comments about the marriage seeming “odd and hasty” foreshadow the reveal of Dudley’s machinations.

“So now we can add ‘inebriant’ to the list of his charms. A boozer. A lush. A tippler. A souse.”

Jane’s habit of listing synonyms to expand on her point shows her wide vocabulary, reflecting her love of reading (See: Symbols & Motifs). She is not only articulate but also comfortable taking space and asserting herself, using as many words as she wants. Here, it creates a tone of hyperbole to communicate her disgust at G’s behavior. It also shows how stressed she feels, as the narrative has revealed that she does this when tense. She employs sarcasm in discussing “the list of his charms,” showing that even in this difficult moment, she retains her sharp, humorous personality, and maintains a light, entertaining tone overall.

“My lord, I apologize for the horse joke. If you put down the book—unharmed!—I will give you a carrot.”

Jane’s statement to Gifford shows their natural chemistry: Even early in their forced marriage they banter with each other, showing they already have a level of ease with each other. Their humor here foreshadows how their relationship will develop, while the tongue-in-cheek, low-stakes situation also shows that Jane is unwilling to fold to threats, which is an important part of her characterization.

“How are we to protect ourselves when they can transform into such cunning creatures? They should be rounded up and locked away, for the safety of the country.”

This quotation explores the fear of otherness, showing how defensiveness can become aggression. The villager characterizes the Ethians as “cunning,” giving them an air of mystery and inherent bad intent. The villager channels their personal unease at something they can’t understand—the animal transformation—into a sentiment about the entire country, raising the stakes and suggesting the Ethians are a monolithic threat. The villager advocates for removing their rights, escalating the social divide by explicitly threatening those they feel threatened by. They frame this as an idea about protecting the country, when the Ethians are actually part of the country.

“Because he was falling.

And then he was flying.

And then the wind lifted him, filling his wings, and he left the palace behind.”

This quotation uses the poetic devices of short, broken phrases rather than grammatically correct sentences, with frequent line breaks. This conveys the significant shock and speed of each individual moment as Edward suddenly changes form and then falls. The alliteration of multiple Fs enhances this sense of speed but also suggests the smoothness of his transformation and of the feeling of flight. The repetition of “and then” further separates the action into distinct beats, showing how each moment offers a huge new revelation that adds to the ones before. This is an example of the use of structure to reflect a character’s journey: Edward is leaving everything he knows, so is beginning a new chapter figuratively and in the narrative.

“Torches burned on the walls, but there was no movement, save the rustling of raven wings above.”

This quotation focuses on building an ominous atmosphere, using the image of the torches to capture the visual setting: Jane is surrounded by the dark night and is only lit by flames. The burning recalls the historic threat to the Ethians of being burned at the stake, foreshadowing Mary’s attempted revival of this practice. The stillness adds to this tension, evoking the calm before storm to mirror the life-changing news Jane is about to receive. The ravens are traditionally an omen of death or ill-fortune in literature and in the history of the Tower of London, adding to this suspense.

“He didn’t answer, but the truth was that in the rules of falconry, which Edward had been practicing since he was a boy, there were certain birds suited to certain stations.”

Edward’s ideas about birds reflect the rigidly constructed social hierarchies that he has internalized and The Complexities of Freedom and Power. He sees his status as something inherent to him that he takes for granted, but this is now being challenged, since he does not believe his Ethian form is fit for a king. He sees the kestrel as small and weak, an image that reflects his shame at his illness and physical fragility. However, he has already used this form to find freedom, and he loves the experience, which helps him re-examine the way he thinks about himself and the world.

“She was walking through the hall with her mother, Lord Dudley trailing a few steps behind. They were on their way to the first of the day’s activities, not that anyone had bothered to tell her what it was.”

Lady Frances’s and Lord Dudley’s constant presence with Jane emphasizes that Jane is actually under their control instead of ruling as queen as she sees fit. The dynamic in this passage indicates their intention to control Jane and rule through her. The fact that no one has informed her what is happening shows that they see her as a puppet queen.

“His thoughts didn’t sound like his own. They sounded more like his father’s or his brother’s. G had never fully formed his own opinions regarding the roles of men and women in the world. His partnership with Jane had always felt like that: a partnership.”

G is forced to confront his learned attitude to women. According to his own natural instincts, he respects Jane and treats her as a human. However he is impacted by his upbringing and the attitudes of those around him, showing how social environment shapes a person. His realization that these thoughts feel alien to him shows G’s independence and thoughtfulness, as someone who is capable of self-reflection. The moment invokes Finding One’s True Self.

“First off, as Gracie had so generously pointed out, he wasn’t much of a king around here. Secondly, if he came right out and asked Gracie to kiss him, he had a feeling that she would laugh in his face. And thirdly, he didn’t just want to kiss Gracie. He wanted her to want him to kiss her.”

This quotation uses humor to explore Edward’s attraction to Gracie and the way that this interacts with his understanding of The Complexities of Freedom and Power. The way that Edward lists his thoughts numerically shows how much Gracie occupies his mind: He is thinking in depth about kissing her. He receives Gracie’s teasing with a matching humor, sarcastically referring to Gracie’s comments as “generous.” This shows his respect for her as an equal despite their social differences, as he appreciates her self-assurance and confident banter. His instinctive understanding of enthusiastic consent shows that he also doesn’t want to exert power over her, but wants them both to have freedom to act.

“It will serve to prove that you do not control this kingdom. It will serve to prove that not everyone will bow down to you. You think to rule us with fear, but you cannot. I will never renounce my beliefs, or my husband.”

Jane’s bravery is showcased through her defiance toward Mary despite the threat of execution. She stands up for her beliefs even when this doesn’t serve her, showing her strong sense of The Importance of Social Responsibility. Like Bess, she is skilled at rhetorical persuasion. She uses the repetition of “it will serve” to emphasize the significance of her action and “us” to create camaraderie with her listeners, implying that she represents the whole country, not just herself. Her blunt statement that she will not renounce her beliefs or G shows her idealistic and personal loyalty.

“Instead of trying to compose morbid poetry (to be, or not to be, that was the question…) he decided to carve a name into the stone-wall. Jane’s name.”

G’s composition of quote from Hamlet is one of many Shakespeare references incorporated into the book (See: Symbols & Motifs). Here, the authors use one of the most famous, recognizable phrases from his canon to flag the connection between G and Shakespeare, foreshadowing that he will turn out to be the real author. The quote shows that he is always composing, even in such dire circumstances, suggesting it is a coping mechanism for him. His profound philosophical thoughts and the enduring fame of this particular line are humorously juxtaposed against his casual dismissal of it as “morbid.” His decision to carve Jane’s name into the wall shows his deep care for her, thinking of her before his execution and wanting to memorialize her.

“I know what you’re thinking, dear, but now’s not the time for such rules. We need to be fast. You weigh next to nothing in this form. As long as we can find a way to secure you to me without the use of those magnificent claws, I’ll be able to run at top speed.”

G’s discussion of the horse rules shows his and Jane’s mutual respect for each other and their animal forms: She doesn’t want to break the rules he’s laid down, but he feels able to do so because he trusts her. He calls her claws “magnificent,” humorously accepting their sharpness rather than feeling threatened by them. The endearment he uses to address her shows his affection for her, and his confident assessment of her concerns reflects their shared understanding: They have grown into allies and share a perspective. Their growing connection relates to the theme of Finding One’s True Self, as they learn that they do not need to change for each other.

“Pet was on the other side, snarling and biting at those who would follow (gosh, we love that dog), and she stayed back to give G time to escape.”

Pet’s fierceness is emphasized through using two verbs rather than one, reflecting her fast, aggressive action. Her role in helping G escape shows her loyalty and bravery, even in dangerous scenarios. The authors use the literary device of authorial intrusion (See: Literary Devices) in an aside to reader by humorously acknowledging both the qualities of her character and her useful role in the narrative. They use brackets to allow the action to move forward without a sense of interruption and separate their comment from the broader narration to create a sense of a layered narrative voice, with a relationship with the reader existing alongside the story.

“The night fell so silent that he was afraid his eardrums would burst, he was straining so hard to listen. Then he heard a door bang somewhere in the keep, and muffled voices in the hallway. Alarmed voices.”

The silence builds an atmosphere of suspense, which is broken by the sudden banging of the door, suggesting imminent danger. The narrative drip-feeds information to add ambiguous details such as the “muffled voices,” adding to the sense of tension and confusion. The repetition of the voices—first “muffled,” then “alarmed”—encapsulates Edward’s growing awareness of the worrying nature of situation.

“‘Allow us to tell you exactly why we are going with you.’ With a quick nod, she indicated Gracie go first.”

Jane and Gracie’s bond develops fast as they support each other in defending their right to be involved in the adventure despite their gender. The authors show the parallels between them: They are both enormously skilled but are excluded as women. Jane doesn’t need words to communicate with Gracie, showing their instinctive understanding. By opening with “allow us,” Jane uses polite terms that seem deferential but that actually assert her point rather than asking permission: This is a command. She demonstrates her ability to stand up for herself and her persuasive skills, as she seizes control of the discussion. However, she doesn’t see her eloquence as an excuse not to respect Gracie’s autonomy and skill, as she doesn’t try to speak for her but invites her to go first.

“Made up of Frenchmen and Scots and thousands of Ethians rallying behind you, brother. We’re going to win, Edward. If we play our cards right.”

Bess’s natural leadership and tactical intelligence is showcased as she lists the disparate groups she has managed to unite behind their cause. However, she is portrayed as loyal and supportive of Edward: She describes how people are “rallying” behind him, even though it was her work that assembled them. She speaks to him with familial love and respect as an equal, rather than addressing him deferentially as king. Her belief and positivity is displayed as she tells him they will win. However this is underscored by her pragmatism and tactical mind, emphasized by her metaphor of the playing cards—she understands the game of politics, while Edward does not.

“Gifford held her against him, but it was her human hair that he stroked, and her human legs that she stood upon, and her human eyes that met his.”

The repetition of the word “human” stresses the significance of the plot development that Jane has managed to stay human and control her transformation for the first time. This shows the depth of her love for G, which is what helped her achieve this control. The moment also emphasizes their romantic connection, as they are together as humans, which has been a rarity. The inclusion of Jane’s physical body parts of hair, legs, and eyes, create an underlying eroticism by focusing on their bodily intimacy, adding to the sexual tension that is building up to their union in the last chapter.

“Now she might die without knowing that she’d become his day and night, his sun and his moon. He adored Jane—he loved her! he loved her!—and he should have worn that for all to see.”

The authors heighten the stakes by combining the threat of death with Jane and G’s unresolved relationship, to create a climactic denouement for the story. G’s poetic metaphors of day and night indicate how all-encompassing his love is, comparing it to enormous ungovernable forces. This also harks back to part of their relationship that is still unresolved: Whereas Jane’s animal transformations are no longer governed by day and night, G’s are. This metaphor suggests that this phenomenon is not bigger or more powerful than his love, though it may seem it. The repetition of “he loved her!” and the use of exclamation points highlight his certainty and the strength of his emotions.

“You would have led us all to ruin. You who conspired to kill your own brother and pilfer his crown. You who threaten to tear the very fabric of our nation in two. You’re a disgrace to the royal blood that runs through your veins.”

Bess’s displays her rhetorical skills as she debates Mary. She uses the repetition of the word “you” to confront Mary directly and highlight that she is piling up multiple accusations. She uses the pronouns “we” and “us” to place herself alongside her audience and create a sense of comradeship and shared interests. “Our nation” enhances further enhances this sentiment and also invokes national pride. She uses the hypothetical “would have” to imply that the protagonists’ victory is a foregone conclusion, allowing her to accuse Mary for hypothetical future actions while expressing confidence in her own cause.