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Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
The Difficult Course of Progress
Now that peace has, at least temporarily, come to Prythian, Rhysand and Cassian turn their attention to their longstanding goal of bringing progress to Illyrian society. Rhysand is half-Illyrian, and Cassian is a full-blooded Illyrian. They are therefore intimately familiar with the cultural issues that, they believe, continue to hold Illyrian society back and cause suffering to many. In particular, Illyrian culture places a strong emphasis on lineage and imposes severe restrictions on females, who are not allowed to serve as warriors. Worse yet, the wings of Illyrian females are, by tradition, “clipped,” or cut off at the base, in order to prevent females from flying. Illyrian society, the novel suggests, represents regressive and sexist attitudes. The goal of reform is especially important to Cassian, who remembers the cruel treatment of his mother by others living in the village where he was born.
The road to progress, however, proves to be a long and difficult one. Many Illyrians distrust Rhysand and believe that he is a cruel despot, and others are resistant to change. Even some females are opposed to Rhysand, including those females who lost husbands or sons in the war with Hybern. Devlon, who leads the Windhaven camp, is somewhat moderate in his beliefs and attitudes, but even he resists the attempts by Rhysand and Cassian to offer combat training to females, a project that they believe will help to empower the females. There are signs of hope, however. Though only a small handful of females attend the first session of combat training, Rhysand feels that this is a small step towards progress. Additionally, Cassian is impressed to see that a young Illyrian female named Emerie has taken up her father’s shop after his death, defying the expectation that women remain at home and do not work. Through their experiences in the Windhaven camp, Rhysand and Cassian learn that progress does not always occur quickly, but is sometimes a more incremental process, involving occasional concessions.
The Therapeutic Value of Art
Feyre has been passionate about art from an early age, and she regards art as an important emotional outlet. However, she had little time to indulge in her passion for painting during the War with Hybern, as her attention was wholly dedicated to more pressing concerns. Now that the war is over, she is, at long last, able to return to her art. In the novel, art takes on an important role, not only as a method of self-expression, but also of self-understanding. When Feyre paints, she allows herself to be guided by her own feelings and emotions, and the former studio of Polina becomes an important space in which she can examine and better understand her own feelings. Some feelings, she realizes, she cannot share with others, even her loved ones. Painting, then, is often a private exercise for her, one that allows her to process difficult or complicated emotions.
Feyre is not the only character in the novel who works through difficult feelings through art. She meets a weaver whose tapestry reflects both her feelings of despair following the death of her mate during the war and her feelings of hope for the future. Additionally, Feyre decides to use the studio to offer space and supplies for children in Velaris to paint, reflecting her unshakeable belief in the therapeutic power of art. Many of these children have been deeply scarred by the war, witnessing bloody fighting and losing family members. In the workshop, they paint their memories. Some of their paintings are light-hearted and comical but others express the deep pain that the children feel. In the novel, art is an important tool in the process of healing.
Different Types of Family
A Court of Frost and Starlight depicts various forms of family, including non-traditional or chosen families. After he is exiled from the Autumn Court by his own family, and is then again exiled from the Spring Court, Lucien finds a sense of companionship and belonging with Jurian and Vassa. Calling themselves the Band of Exiles, the trio are not related by blood. In fact, they are not even the same species, as Lucien is a faerie and Jurian and Vassa are both humans. Nevertheless, they share the experience of exile and find fellowship in their chosen family. Though Feyre is at first surprised to learn that Lucien has become so close with humans, family is also very important to her. Despite the complicated relationship she has to Elain and Nesta, she cares for them deeply and is deeply concerned for their wellbeing.
Additionally, the various members of Rhysand’s Inner Circle treat each other as a family. This is particularly important for those in the group who do not have any other family, such as Amren, or who are estranged from their families, such as Mor. Further, Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel are adoptive brothers, and though they are not connected by blood, they are as close as any other siblings. During the Winter Solstice, the Inner Circle comes together in the town house to celebrate the holiday, as any other family would. While many of the other High Lords of the courts of Prythian surround themselves with attendants and maintain strict hierarchies, Rhysand encourages his Inner Circle to treat him casually and informally, imploring them to speak honestly with him, even when the truth might be uncomfortable. The strong familial bonds they share contributes greatly to their collective strength.
