What does Portia represent?

The various generations of Portia represents a human-like progression through life. Early Portia's are driven by their instinct. The early ones are hunters, imbued with small bits of Understanding. Others are warriors, priestesses, and scientists; whatever Portia’s society needs her to be she becomes. She is always at the center of political and religious change, and provides a focal point for the reader to explore the spider world through, even if every Portia is just a descendant of a previous one.