The Bildungsroman is a growing-up/development story. Anodos is making his own path toward manhood, which the author depicts as a spiritual rather than physical state. The traditional quest narrative depicts the feminine as the missing part of the male that must be integrated before he can seize the “prize.” Anodos has a variety of experiences leading him toward or away from the ideal of masculinity.

A sexual encounter with the feminine often represents the hero’s integration of the feminine into his persona to complete himself and earn the prize. MacDonald chooses not to use that particular metaphor. Rather, Anodos’s sexual liaisons are degrading or destructive, as in the incident with the Alder woman and the maiden with the globe. MacDonald reserves union with the feminine for chaste and spiritual encounters. Each time Anodos tries to lay hands on the Marble Lady (enlightenment), she flees from him. Masculinity/maturity is achieved by spiritual enlightenment.

A variety of men provide role models for Anodos. The husband of the farmwife is depicted as a good, kind man who supports his wife and children. Like the farmer, Anodos could be happy should he abandon his pursuit of beauty.