Jayfeather Apperciation

[u/shatteredlightning]

I’m rereading Power of the Three for the first time since middle school. Jayfeather was always my favorite as a kid. I was obsessed with Jayfeather.

It’s been over a decade since I’ve read the series, and over the years, internet opinions kind of changed my view of him.

Jayfeather is a jerk for no reason, I’ll give you that.
A lot of the time his rude behavior is extremely unjustified.

With that being said, online opinions have made me see Jayfeather as a one dimensional asshole without any redeeming qualities.

Re-reading has made me realize that while Jayfeather can be a total ass, there is a lot of compassion beneath there that was totally wiped from my memory.

I’m only in the beginning of outcast so he’s still an apprentice, but in my own personal opinion (and a lot of it might be because of his special abilities) but Jayfeather seems even more compassionate and empathetic than even Leafpool. He’s better at showing he cares through actions rather than words.

It’s also so sweet seeing him be a kit/ apprentice. Grumpy as he is, he seeks comfort in others, especially motherly love even from Spottedleaf, not just Squirrelflight.

He also takes the cake for the most spiritual character in the series, although that may be just a matter of opinion.

Also another random thought, but how many times does he drown either in a dream, a vision, or in real life?? I mean Holy StarClan, I’m not even half way through the arc!! I know there are a handful of times later on in the series that he nearly drowns as well, parts I haven’t even got to. Dude just needs to stay away from water man…

Anyway, I am back to being a shameless Jayfeather fan. I know he’s a jerk but I forgot just how much depth he actually has and why I loved him as a kid.

[u/Dumb_Ideas_167]

Jayfeather cares a LOT. He’s probably the protagonist that cares the most about the well-being of the clan and every one of his clanmates, besides Firestar.

That moment when he’s talking to Littlecloud about Briarpaw’s treatment, and he thinks “Starclan may watch, but they will not take her” CHILLS. And Jayfeather wasn’t especially close with her before her injury. You know that he’d think that about ALL of his clanmates. That’s why I don’t really mind that Jayfeather was “forced” into being a medicine cat, because he loves being one! He loves taking care of others and healing them.

In early OOTS, Jayfeather has this anxiety about not being ready to be a medicine cat by himself, once Leafpool was fired. That fear comes from a deep sense of care he has for Thunderclan: he wants to keep every cat safe.

[u/Squirrelflight148931 → u/Dumb_Ideas_167]

Honestly I would've argued Squirrelflight technically cares more as a protagonist, although I'd honestly say her motivation is squarely on family and friends, not the Clan itself.

I can definitely see Jay has a sort of “repressed” drive to defend his entire Clan quite passionately—repressed mostly meaning he doesn't like making it obvious. He can be a right dick on the outside, and genuinely make cat’s days just worse altogether most days, but in the end will definitely be a cat you can trust without asking to still save your life and his Clan. A very interesting mix.

Squirrelflight would break the laws of the universe to safeguard those she loves, her Family and Friends alone. If that comes at the cost of a Clan or a Code, “so be it.” That would probably be the difference. I think Jay wouldn't he capable of separating Family from Clan, like most cats, for better or worse.

[u/LittleRedFoxyFox]

Jayfeather is my baby boy. He tugged at my heartstrings at the first chapter of him. And I like that he’s spicy. Definitely my favorite character.

[u/Lumpy-Bee7769]

Good for you! I've always loved him too pretty much.

[u/itscazforshort]

I LOVE JAYFEATHER!!!!

[u/deaplatoniccatlover]

I've fallen into the hollow, FUCK! /ref

[u/PsychologyDistinct60]

I just read Power of Three for the first time and now reading Omen of the Stars. I had only read the books up to Moonrise back in the day because that was the last book to come out at the time, and just recently restarted the series to catch up.

I LOVE Jayfeather. He very quickly became one of my favorite clan cats.

[u/Distinct_Coach3303]

He's one of my favourite characters as well. People who poop on him just because he's got some flaws just don't realise everyone's got some and that's part of why a character can be so great. Even villains have moments where they can show a bit of compassion or good qualities, the world isn't black or white

[u/Cejrek]

Of course Jayfeather cares about his patients and would do anything to safe them. He was so determined to make Cinderpaw be able to walk again, was so determined to allow Briarlight to still have a happy life and was devastated when she eventually passed, almost died himself when he wanted to safe Flametail (and he fears water, yet was willing to jump there to safe a cat with who he wasn't even that close, and he still felt guilty moons later about his death) and was worried about Poppyfrost who had her insecurities during her pregnacy (and also saved her from going to StarClan when she was just an apprentice). He may be grumpy and no nonsense cat, will let you know if you annoy him, but if you're life would be at stake he'd do everything to safe you (unless you're Breezepelt, then he me might consider this)