His moral and spiritual development is the only real concern. The evidence of this comes with the story's inattention to male and female relationships as anything more than superficial. Though Gawain regularly interacts with characters, such as Lord Bertilak and his wife, and the Green Knight, his meetings are typically brief and shallow. The entirety of the tale focuses on developing only Sir Gawain and his personal story. Lady Bertilak outwardly appears to be a dynamic and important character. In reality, she is little more than a facade for the temptation against Gawain's dignity. Her character sparks no long-term feelings of passion, desire, or even loss from Gawain. This is proven by Gawain's nearly joyous behavior following her departure: When she was gone, Sir Gawain got from his bed, Arose and arrayed him in rich attire; Tucked away from the token the temptress had left, Laid it reliably where he looked for it after. And then with good cheer to the chapel he goes."2 The only relationship that truly matters is the one that he will develop with himself. In order to fully embody the chivalric code, he must become secure in his faith. .
At the beginning of the tale, the chivalric code seems as muddled and confusing as Sir Gawain is. The idea seems to be in the right place, but it is revealed that the code is often just for show. Sir Gawain, like many other knights, claims to act upon it wholeheartedly but at times he falls short. Alan Baragona agrees as he describes in more detail, "The chivalric code is full of glitter and symbolic decorations, just as Gawain is dressed for his challenge with diamonds and a shield representing the values he is supposed to embody. But these values are merely painted on; they are all surface, revealing the lack of certainty that the man beneath the armor actually holds in his chivalry."3 He plays the part well, but beyond the surface there is fear and self-doubt.