Identity
Taran, the main protagonist of The Book of Three is looking for himself. He doesn’t know anything about his parents or who he descended from. He doesn’t know what their work was, if they were heroic or mean, or why they decided to not raise him. Taran is an assistant Pig-Keeper, and that is all he knows. Throughout the book, he tries learning more about himself, who he is and what his purpose is. In the end, he realizes he doesn’t need to know his origins to know who he is.
Freedom
Eilonwy, Prince Gwydion and Taran are all captured and kept as prisoners through the book. Princess Eilonwy is kept for her magical abilities by her self-proclaimed “Aunt”, who also captures Prince Gwydion and Taran, where they all meet. All Eilonwy is to be free and decide her own fate. She is permitted to do this in the book, as she goes though the quest together with her new friends.
Heroism
Prince Gwydion is one of the most praised and valued characters in the book. Taran looks up to him as his role model, someone he wants to grow up and be just as good as. He doesn’t understand that even the heroic prince himself has flaws, and that heroism isn’t about being perfect. It isn’t about how many battles you win, all on your own. It is about fighting for the good and the needy and fighting for something you believe and care for. And by changing his definition of heroism, Taran knows that he is just as heroic as the great Prince Gwydion is.
