The Seeing Glass represents how What We Seek Is Inside Us, as well as the power of seeing ourselves as we truly are. The glass is first introduced as an ancient artifact with mythical powers that will bestow great wisdom on the one who possesses it. The Others, and initially Jack and Jill, take this lore to mean that the glass has powerful magic and will provide all the answers they want. However, once the glass is found, it becomes clear the mirror won’t perform as expected. The glass is inscribed with the words “To find what ye seek, look no further” (308), and these words describe its true power—showing the viewer their reflection. The glass represents how we need only look at ourselves for the answers we seek, as seen by how Jack and Jill ultimately find what they want inside themselves rather than on their external quest.

The glass represents the difference between Jack and Jill versus the Others and how those differences lead to the Others’ downfall. Rather than seek the glass themselves, the Others send Jack and Jill on a nearly doomed quest that shows that the Others are not confident in their abilities.