The characters in Red Queen keep secrets and struggle with defining themselves, both internally and to others. Often, they find that their outward appearance doesn’t match who they truly are. Through Mare’s struggles as a Red with powers, Cal’s uncertainty about which path to take, and Maven’s betrayal, Red Queen posits that who a person is inside doesn’t always match what they show the world.

Mare is different on the inside than she appears. Literally, she is a Red girl with Silver-like powers, which forces her into roles she doesn’t agree with. As she lies and pretends to be something she’s not, she finds herself being “Red in the head, Silver in the heart” (95). This means she thinks like a Red but is forced to portray emotions as a Silver would, including showing disdain for Reds. While Mare appears confident, she truly fears for her life, and her survival depends on her ability to be different on the outside than she is on the inside.

Cal also struggles with showing his true face to the world. As the crown prince, Cal should be certain and powerful, unwavering in his portrayal of supremacy and confidence. Cal does not believe he is above anyone, including Reds, but his actions make others believe he feels superior, especially Mare, who waffles about Cal’s true intentions all the way to the end of the book.