The Goblin Emperor

In The Goblin Emperor, bridges function as an important symbol, representing connection, progress, and Maia’s unique political philosophy, which is rooted in empathy. This symbolism is made explicit when Maia earns the cognomen “Edrehasivar the Bridge-Builder,” cementing his identity as a ruler who seeks to unite rather than divide. The motif illuminates the themes of The Political Power of Kindness and Empathy and Navigating Identity in the Face of Prejudice by showing how reconciliation, both personal and political, is achieved through deliberate acts of connection. Bridges in the novel are both literal engineering projects and powerful metaphors for overcoming division. Maia’s journey from a despised, isolated exile to a respected emperor is a process of building bridges: between his own elven and goblin heritages, between the court’s warring political factions, and between himself and the subjects he wishes to serve with integrity.

Maia’s approach to governance is encapsulated in his personal resolution: “Better to build new bridges […] than to pine after what’s been washed away” (54). This philosophy is applied on every scale, from the deeply personal to the imperial. His choice for a new signet, which combines the Drazhadeise cat with the Barizheise sea serpent, is a symbolic bridge he builds within himself, honoring his identity in a court that scorns his goblin ancestry.