Anodos encounters various reflections—the moon in the water, the mirror in the story of Cosmo and the princess; the fairy world itself could be seen as a reflection of the real world. What is the relationship between reality and reflection? How does the idea of mirrors and reflections relate to the Romantic ideal of enlightenment?

Although the title declares the story to be written for men and women, the women in the story are all representations of archetypes or ideals, whereas the men are more like real people who guide Anodos toward manhood. How might the representation of the feminine be read or interpreted differently by women than by male readers?

How might the story be different if the protagonist were the maiden whose magic globe (heart) is broken by Anodos?