Jace Herondale - profile into adoption and family connections in the Shadow world.
This is a post that will focus on Jace Lightwood, the adopted brother of Izzy and Alec, we see that he is treated differently and I may depending on readership, do another deep dive into his mindset so let me know either by email or the comments if you would like me to do a deep dive into his mindset throughout the show and how it relates to Clary and how it changes over time and how he matures into himself.
So we see that Jace was adopted into the Lightwood family at the age of ten yet we see that this isn't the truth of the matter and we are led to believe that Valentine actually rescued him as a baby and saved his life, we see this when Magnus and Valentine's brain is swapped and Magnus is in Valentine's body and he is trying to make people see that he is actually Magnus, he tells Alec details that only Magnus could know about their travels and dates.
We see that Jace tells Alec after he goes to Jace about his concerns not to believe him as Valentine could have invaded Magnus's mind, yet we forget that Magnus could invade even the silent brother's mind as it's not shown but in the books, we see that Magnus was taken in by the Silent brothers and taught to control his powers by Elders of the Spiral Labyrinth. Yet we are led to believe that he was charging for his services at the age of 10 and lied about who he knew to make himself more believable. So it was plausible for Alec to not believe Magnus yet we see that it's details that only Alec could know.
This shows that Jace is full of confidence as in his upbringing when he came into the Lightwood family home he is cocky and treated differently because he had trauma in his life yet these behaviors were excused, and we see that in his decisions and how he reacts when faced with a challenge he is excused from the behavior's that really should have consequences to there actions. Like bringing Clary into the institute without knowing the full story yet we do see that Clary doesn't know her history at all, and we see that Alec is livid when we discover that she is Valentine's daughter and that Jace hasn't considered the possibility that she could be a spy.
We do see that there is a scene that tells the story that is pivotal to the way Jace sees the world it's the falcon story, that he was told to tame a falcon but he loves it instead so he firmly believes that to love is to destroy.
This is a brutal way to see the world however we know that the shadow world is brutal and dangerous so they teach their children this lesson early in life. Shadowhunters | Season 1, Episode 8: Jace Tells Clary Falcon Story | Freeform - YouTube This is a trauma background and we see that people can rebuild and grow yet Jace seems to be stuck in this belief that because he is at this point in time lead to believe that he is Valentine's blood that he is evil but this isn't true as we aren't born evil we all make decisions on what information we have at the time, we can believe things that aren't true due to not having the correct information but we can then move forward as we find out new information about the world. We see that he is still very confident in himself however he is confused about his place in the world and how the world sees him, something that when children discover that they are adopted we see that it's a good thing for him to know who he is and where he came from, and how he got to where he is. This connection is good for us as it allows us to have good intimate relationships with people something that is vital in life and something that we discover with people who can't make connections with people that we can see him trying to make connections with people and he can connect instantly as he is used to getting his way and when he doesn't it is confusing for him in several ways as a person raised as the golden child isn't used to hearing the word no and we see that he is given extra love and attention when the Lightwood parents are around as we need to remember that even though in the Show their characters were aged up and in the books they where teens trying to figure things out on their own and this isn't a great way to live as a teen.
We see that Michael Wayland was the person who raised Jace until he was taken prisoner by Valentine and kept locked up. We do see when they can discover Valentine's Lab that he is doing very unethical experiments. So we discover that Jace has pure angel blood due to Valentine having injected Jace with the blood of an angel, ( I believe it was Ithureal that he kept prisoner) and this is a variation from the books a Clockwork princess, Chain of Gold, and the City of Glass mention him and his involvement with Tessa Gray a warlock with very unusual powers, that Magnus rescued from being used for her powers and abilities.
She is cared for and cares for the Spiral Labyrinth the headquarters of the warlock and we see this mentioned in the show, yet she has a greater role in the way that Jace came to be as it is Ithureal's blood that trapped her and made her be able to transform into the angel.
So in being an adult we see that he is used to getting his own way in the world and seeking out things that make him happy without taking responsibility for his actions as he knows that Alec who has taken on the role of caregiver in the family both in the books and in the show, that can help him to a point avoid the consequences of his actions. Yet it isn't a very responsible way to live as we as humans need something to work towards. ( I discovered this myself when I realized the impact that my disabilities have on my whole family and friendship network,) I believe that this is the 3rd time that I am rebuilding my life after health challenges and it is a challenge at times especially when Covid is around, still in my area.
Jace's attachment style is that he has a secure attachment to Maryse Lightwood, the person who he regards as his mother, or his mother figure and we see that he is given physical affection when Alec and Izzy are criticized by her, however, I have written about this in other posts, and at some stage will do one on Robert Lightwood as he contributes to this family dynamic and how it sees him essentially being an absent father, to Alec and Jace yet dotes on Izzy as in his world Izzy is his princess, yet in the books we see Izzy trying to be responsible but we see that her cooking is deadly, at times.
We also see Magnus try to guide Alec first as a friend and then as a lover and Husband but it's difficult to separate how this affects Jace as he is so used to getting his own way when he has to face the consequences of his actions we see that the first person he goes to is Magnus for help and we can see Alec's clear frustration with the situation and how he can have no shame in asking to crash at Magnus's apartment. ( Again we see a variation from the books as Magnus is much more patient with the Shadow hunters and for a time moves in with them to make sure that they have guidance and protection) but we do see that he does get frustrated with being the "pet warlock," both in the Show and in the books.)
Shadowhunters 2x12 - Jace Is A Herondale - YouTube We see that Jace discovers his real roots and that this is a great thing as they are a very politically connected family in the Shadow world as the clave is made up of families that keep the Shadow world hidden and are what we would consider "legacy families," so families that have an interest in keeping the Shadow hunter line's growing to protect the world from evil. As not many "Mundanes," survive the transition to Shadow hunter and they didn't have the mortal cup to help people ascend to Shadow hunter, as we did see in a clockwork angel that there was a way to survive the ascension as essentially they are becoming citizen's of heaven, a very interesting concept to be able to see what heaven is like and how it is run as it seems to me that the Shadow hunters have a lot to answer for in the way that they have treated people over the years.
So we are seeing that Jace being a Herondale can "Reward," Alec with being the head of the NY institute. We see that this helps Alec and Jace to heal as not only brothers but as Parabaiti people who are bonded together in childhood to fight and support each other.
Reading for this post
When Favoritism Becomes Abuse | Psychology Today
What Is Golden Child Syndrome? - The Narcissistic Life
Should the scapegoat child trust the golden child? – Parenting exposed
8 Dysfunctional Roles Within The Dysfunctional Family (childhoodtraumarecovery.com)
Ithuriel | The Shadowhunters' Wiki | Fandom
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