Game of Thrones is a HBO series that started a few years ago, I recently binged watched all forty hours of it, in a week. In the series, there is a standard that women should be submissive and follow their lord or king. There are a few women you can not help but love, they refuse to fit the norm. You can not help but notice them. The majority of women (expect for a handful or two) follow and fully accept these rules set by the community, two character in particular stand out to me as strong and powerful females. They go get against what is expected of them from the beginning. They both come from noble families or at least at time their family was noble, which is way they stand out to me so much.
Arya Stark: To Bend or to Break?
In the article above they said "However, the strongest point of Arya’s narrative lies in the fact that throwing aside all girlish expectations is not an easy, or favorable, experience" This true in our society as well. We have standards and expectations shown to us growing up and it is hard completely turn away from it. As much as some of us get very angry over stereotypes, we have all fallen into one or another at a point it our lives. Somethings you can't help but do. Not everyone wants to marry or have children and that is completely fine but that would never stop the people around you from asking "What's wrong with you? Or aren't you scared of being alone?" As much as these questions anger us, we can't really blame the people saying it. They were raise with that mentality and also think that a women's job is to get married, have children, and stay at home to care for them. I seem to forget that a lot and always get really angry, it is not an excuse for the oppression of women but it is a possible reason why some women don't see what is wrong with it. The article is about Arya and how she wants to be something in life and make a difference. It goes on to say that in this society or world you as a women can move pass what you are expected to do. It resembles our society. We still live in a male dominated world and although we can achieve more, we still have a limit. There has never been a women president and men still get paid more. It is a terrible thing but gender equality is hard to achieve in a men's world.
Another awesome women is Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen. Her family was banished after her father was beheaded by the mad king and her mother died giving birth to her while they fled the seven kingdoms. Her brother who was eight and vividly remembers the seven kingdoms, and the last of his house blames her for the mother's death. He hits and abuse her for thirteen years and after he sells her off to the Khal Drogo of the Dothraki People. She ends up receiving dragon eggs as a gift on her wedding day. On her husband's funeral she stands in the fire with them. When everyone returns to the burial cite, she rise with three dragons in her arms. She trains and has the only dragons to exist in the last thousand years. She constantly stands up to men and takes both they're land, and frees their slaves. There is no doubt that she has grown in a strong, dominant character. She has three growing dragons, controls a nation of people, and has tens of thousands of loyal free soldiers. This is more power, control or army any women has seen thus far. She also said that "they are her children. The only children she will ever have." She is referring to the dragons and yet again she is defining two standards, she is refusing to get married to a lord and she is not going to have children. The article is not direct about her but has a lot of truth that applies to her as well. She was abused, consistently moving around and still is able to rise up and take control.
The most important part of both these character is that they have overcome customs and rules that were in place for thousands and thousands of years. They show that determination and strengthen can lead to huge success and strides in there career choice. Arya wants to be someone that makes a difference and Daenerys wants to sit on the Iron Throne and take back what is rightfully hers. In a sense we face the same oppression, not as extreme but the odds are against us and we have certain expectations to meet as a woman. It is harder for women to obtain certain jobs and get the same level of respect as a man would.
Arya Stark of House Stark
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| Arya at the beginning of the series. (season 1) http://www.tvfanatic.com/gallery/shows/game-of-thrones/ |
The first one is Arya Stark, she is only nine and refuse to learn how to knit and sew instead begins to learn how to use a sword, and other weaponry. Her father is beheaded by King Jeffery and while her older, more submissive sister Sansa was to marry the king and never rebel, Arya escaped. She has the full spotlight on her. The king has knights chasing her and trying to retrieve her. She cut her hair off with a sword and dressed as a boy, killed a little fat man child that was trying to return her to the king, so should could be used as leverage against her brother and mother. She is mature and strong, she watches countless of her family members died and remains sane. This includes her brother Lord Robb Stark of House Stark and her mother Lady Catelyn Stark of House Tully. She also saves the lives of people she meets along the way including motherless (bastards) boys, GROWN MEN and even knights. Arya defines what the lords want their sons to be like and has the heart of any great knight. She is able to survive without any family or friends, and rejects the noble family she was born into, in order to protect herself. She learn how to fight because her father taught her. This was not the case for any other females. It took her ten years before the father got her a teacher and that was without the mother or anyone else knowing. While the boys being learning at four. She has extreme determination and is a great example of someone who has to prove herself to every single person she meets.
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| Arya fighting off the king's knights!(season 4) http://jezebel.com/arya-stark-will-get-a-glam-yet-practical-new-look-on-1672765025 |
In the article above they said "However, the strongest point of Arya’s narrative lies in the fact that throwing aside all girlish expectations is not an easy, or favorable, experience" This true in our society as well. We have standards and expectations shown to us growing up and it is hard completely turn away from it. As much as some of us get very angry over stereotypes, we have all fallen into one or another at a point it our lives. Somethings you can't help but do. Not everyone wants to marry or have children and that is completely fine but that would never stop the people around you from asking "What's wrong with you? Or aren't you scared of being alone?" As much as these questions anger us, we can't really blame the people saying it. They were raise with that mentality and also think that a women's job is to get married, have children, and stay at home to care for them. I seem to forget that a lot and always get really angry, it is not an excuse for the oppression of women but it is a possible reason why some women don't see what is wrong with it. The article is about Arya and how she wants to be something in life and make a difference. It goes on to say that in this society or world you as a women can move pass what you are expected to do. It resembles our society. We still live in a male dominated world and although we can achieve more, we still have a limit. There has never been a women president and men still get paid more. It is a terrible thing but gender equality is hard to achieve in a men's world.
Daenerys Stormborn of the Old Dynasty House Targaryen, Khaleesi, and Mother of Dragons
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| Khal Drogo and Khaleesi Daenerys a few weeks after their marriage (season 1) https://www.pinterest.com/dmaciag/game-of-thrones/ |
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| Dany and her dragon taking over another city! (season 4) http://www.bustle.com/articles/20030-what-did-game-of-thrones-daenerys-name-her-dragons-get-to-know-the-beasts-before-season |
Okay , so let me just start by saying OMG I love this show!!!! .... Btw I feel alot of pressure by being the first to comment lol. Anyway, my favorite characcter is Khaleesi because she demonstrates true bravery. She went form being abused by her brother and being given away to a savage king (although she fell in love with him). After her husband dies she begins taking over villages from men in power and also freeing slaves. She is very kind and sweet but can also play dirty with the boys. I think her struggle and being abused by her brother in the past is what makes her stand up to all men and i admire that about her.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to get into this series for the longest time now and this post just increased my interest even more. Women have been living under the stereotype of being delicate little girls and blossoming into graceful young women. Whenever a person sees a little girl defying what is expected of her, they are quick to point it out and sometimes even have the nerve to tell you off. By Arya Stark defying what is expected of her, she has escaped that bubble that she is supposed to conform to and has been doing what a man is supposed to be doing. Khaleesi is exceptionally strong as she doesn't use what has happened in the past as an excuse to be weak and meek. Instead, she uses her past as a way to build herself up into a strong and independent woman. These two characters have shown exceptional strength from what I have read and are great role models for girls to follow.
ReplyDeleteI have never watched The Game of Thrones , but it sounds like interesting show that, involves amazingly strong women that you have mentioned here. I found it fascinating how Arya at young age she went through a lot within her family and herself also. I think its amazing for young girl like her to make huge decisions that could have cost her life. Arya is the definition of independent, knowing that she doesn't anyone to take care of her and her going about her business. Arya shows demonstrates the qualities of independent young woman.The other character that you mentioned that is also in the Game of Thrones Daenery , her story sounds so amazing. How she later at the end conquers all that rightfully belonged to her from the beginning. Its nice to see a story Game of Thrones that has a female character who doesn't have a man by her side to control things. If only we can apply this in society in the minds on many others out there in the world. To show that women are strong and capable to handle themselves.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this blog I have never heard of Games of Thrones but after reading this blog you actually kind of made me want to watch it. It is amazing how at a very young age Arya managed to make herself independent. Being a female and all it is frowned upon standing up for yourself. Arya challenged that and went off to be alone; her character did not want to be oppressed like the other women. It's amazing how she survives without any family or friends despite whatever came her way. I find it also interesting how Daenery wants to take back what is rightfully hers. I can see that in Games of Thrones women have a strong and powerful role. The women in this show challenges the gender roles and I like that a lot !
ReplyDeleteInteresting choice of what you blogged about. I never watched Games of Thrones but I thought it was a "manly" show. I enjoyed how you made us see it in a different view as in the women's view. I think its great how these women are in the show because it shows men that sometimes women are just as equal as them. I liked reading about Daenerys cause she just seems so cool, like what woman would you hear about having three dragons.. thats pretty tough of her. Also how Ayra manages to over come so much with the circumstances shes under, shes pretty brave for such a young girl.
ReplyDeleteI never watched this show before but it sounds really interesting.I think that media in general can create a certain stereotype for women as well. From the sound of it this show seems to portray women as brave and not submissive or inferior to males in their lives. but in most shows in order for women to be tough or independent they would have to have a tough past or raped or something like why can't a women who has had a normal childhood be strong in their own right and made that way because of harden ships. That's just something i noticed and I have also noticed that women who are tough and strong also are seen as unattractive or unapproachable because they do not cook and clean and wair for a man to sweep them of their feet. i would say that it is rare for a show to show women in a positive light and even if some shows do try they still portray them as weak as some point in their lives for them to become strong women. Even though in some cases this is true but we shouldn't just become strong because we have been raped or abused.This shows sound kinda good tho
ReplyDeleteI never watched this show before but it sounds really interesting.I think that media in general can create a certain stereotype for women as well. From the sound of it this show seems to portray women as brave and not submissive or inferior to males in their lives. but in most shows in order for women to be tough or independent they would have to have a tough past or raped or something like why can't a women who has had a normal childhood be strong in their own right and made that way because of harden ships. That's just something i noticed and I have also noticed that women who are tough and strong also are seen as unattractive or unapproachable because they do not cook and clean and wair for a man to sweep them of their feet. i would say that it is rare for a show to show women in a positive light and even if some shows do try they still portray them as weak as some point in their lives for them to become strong women. Even though in some cases this is true but we shouldn't just become strong because we have been raped or abused.This shows sound kinda good tho
ReplyDeleteI have heard of this show a thousand times because my mom watches it but I never watched it, all i knew was there was a girl with dragons and a really short guy who's famous. But now I kind of want to watch it but there are too many episodes to watch. But I am guessing this show takes place in the old in days because even though woman today have to accept how they have to be so did woman back then. Khaleesi looks like a fierce person I would want to meet from her character on how she frees slaves and has dragons. Woman are supposed to follow customs like one day when we were in class talking about how woman have to take the husbands last name I don't plan too, I like mine and what if he has a bad last name like knipps or something. Woman should be free to do what they want but we aren't able too, we are slaves of both men and society that is why I am glad Khaleesi and Arya get to fight against that. Great show to pick and topic Nicole!
ReplyDeleteI heard of the Game of Thrones just never got the chance to watch it. However, this blog inspires me to because the two female characters represent women empowerment. I really like Daenery Stormborn because she reminds me of my mother. Although my mother was never abused, she struggled with taken care of four teen children by herself, but that challenged never stopped her from being the leader she is today. Stormborn also reminds me of Elizabeth the first because when she was queen, she considered herself to be the "Virgin Queen." This means that she did not marry because she did not want a man to take her power away from her and that she did not have children because if she had children, according to her, she will not be able to devote herself to the people. Stormborn is an inspiration to all women because she has determination which she will not stop until she gets what she deserves. I love that shows like this one show this kind of woman in order to influence other women and young girls to remain powerful.
ReplyDeleteI love this post so much! Arya and Dany are also my favorite characters on the show, they are strong, independent and are great role models for the many girls who watch the show. These two are not only some of the strongest female characters on Game of Thrones but on television as a whole. Often on television women are represented as ultra sexualized obedient beings, but shows such as The Mindy Project, Parks and Rec, Game of Thrones, and The Walking Dead have changed this. These shows have put women in leadership positions and show them are independent strong warriors which all women are!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Nicole. I watch a lot of shows myself. One of my shows, Once Upon a time, the hero is a female. And in How To Get Away With Murder, the main character is a female lawyer. Now that I'm typing this i see a connection between them. They all went through hardtimes at some point in their lives and that explains why they're soo hardcore. Emma from Once Upon A Time was abdoned while Annalise from How To Get Away With Murder was raped. And they both have to carry everyone's weight on them and fix everyone's mistake. Emma is the "savior" and has to save the town of StoryBrook from evil while Annalise has to cover up for her law students who murdered her husband. In these two shows women are stong willed and do not follow convention. They are very admirable!! And we all know women in our lives(like single mothers) who are strong and take on the weight of everyone. WOMEN ARE STRONG!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou just made me want to watch the show myself. This sounds like a great show. I like how you made a show relate to our everyday lives and women's issues. It's amazing how women can defy the laws and what's expected of them but when they do so they are seen as crazy because nobody else had the courage to do so. If not the courage then they never even thought of "breaking the rules". We need more women that are willing to break the rules and make their own. For example the character Cookie, played by Taraji P. Henson in the number 1 show on tv Empire , is not afraid AT ALL to speak her mind and she always gets her work done. Cookie is a strong intelligent women. Women are afraid to be out spoken but if you're never heard then how can you make change.
ReplyDeleteWomen are very strong and I'm am glad to see more shows portraying that. However, I think the biggest way to infiltrate the system and proactively show women as badasses is to get women into power. To chauvinistic men (aka Congress), all shows that portray women as brave and outspoken are mere fiction. So it's like, "Enjoy these fictional characters while you can because that's not what real life is going to look like anytime soon." Although I said in class that I'm afraid our nation isn't yet ready for a female President due to gender discrimination, fictional characters on TV are not going to cut it. I also don't believe that these shows are stepping stones to progress. People are such passive watchers of television. For instance, I love Olivia Pope on Scandal. How can one not love a strong, Black woman, who can bring a nation to its knees with her absence? However, we do not see women like Olivia Pope in the White House; there is no Black female advisor to the President with connections to a superspy organization called B6-13. Olivia Pope, like other strong women, is an ideal that will remain as such until we see serious changes in our government's power structure.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post Nicole! You really made me want to watch the show, Game of Thrones. I really like Aryana Stark because of the fact that she defy's what society thinks a women should be like. Aryana is amazing and should encourage all women to stand up and take a stand to not follow society's rules about how women should act. I believe more and more women everyday are being the "Aryanas" in the world because today their are a lot of women who wake up and want to defy society's rules. Just like the women we are doing for "Women of The Week" in school such as, Ida B. Wells,Shirley Chisholm, Angela Davis, Sojourner Truth and etc. Women everyday are rising up going against societies rules just like Aryana and Khaleesi, and they are trying to get these rights for all women.
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