A Court of Thorns and Roses

Feyre is the 19-year-old protagonist and narrator of A Court of Thorns and Roses, a skilled yet reluctant huntress who dreams of being a painter. At the beginning of the novel, Feyre has internalized the criticisms and unhappiness of her sisters and is deeply insecure over her self-proclaimed “shortcomings.” Feyre finds escape only through physical intimacy with Isaac Hale and infrequent opportunities to paint with her limited supplies. Feyre’s combination of extraordinary ability and low self-esteem is a common character trope for romance heroines, as these personality traits invite the reader to sympathize and identify with the protagonist.

Romance heroines often develop confidence over the course of the narrative, catalyzed by the romantic attentions of their love interest. Upon arriving at the Spring Court, Feyre feels “as insignificant as the fading, chipped designs I’d painted around the cottage” (66). Tamlin’s initial indifference exacerbates her low self-esteem in the absence of the justification that all she does is for her family. Feyre is unable to find new purpose at first, because hardship has also limited her ability to hope; even her dream of painting is reduced to “fading, chipped” images.