The Big Bad Wolf Is Not Always Who You Think It Should Be

Beyond a shadow of a doubt the one thing Martin is a mastermind about is, characterization. Each character exhibits strengths and weaknesses. In fact, by the end of the first book, I have no idea who the good guys and the bad guys are. I thought I knew, but I keep changing my mind. Here are some examples of how each of the POV’s in book one create a complex dichotomy:

• Ned Stark is portrayed as noble and honest, but he is incredibly arrogant and self-righteous to the point of bringing down his house around him. The book opens with him meting out justice to a deserter from, the Wall. He beheads the man without ever giving him a chance to share information about the dangers coming toward Westeros. The very pride of being a Northerner and a descendant of the first men causes him to miss all the warning signs around him, ultimately resulting in the death of his men and his own beheading without being given a chance to explain the truth of the matter.

• Catelyn Stark appears to be a protective mother, with limited forgiveness about Ned’s infidelity in fathering a bastard son. Since she showed no softening that may have resulted in Jon Snow staying at Winterfell during Ned’s summoning to King’s Landing, she is faced with the attempt on Brans life alone. This heartless approach results in her traveling to Kings Landing and capturing the dwarf, which was like removing the first card, at the base of a house of cards.

• Tyrion Lannister is an example of the opposite. Initially, he is presented as a pompous ingrate, almost like a spoiled brat, however we soon discover that he has a soft spot for bastards, cripples, and underdogs. Although his smart alec comments continually get him into trouble, his soft spot seem to also find an escape hatch, just in the nick of time.

• Jon Snow may be a younger version of Ned Stark. He seems humble and disciplined from the start, yet this mettle proves to be a ball and chain like his fathers honor. He is protecting the weak and bullied at Castle Black, but constantly faces decisions about his parentage and superior attitude toward others. This is reminiscent of his father and may prove to be the trait that keeps him from finding happiness in the end.

Martin does this with almost every character, and it shows me that people get attached, even to flaws.