Fantasy as realism : analysing the portrayal of female characters in A Song of Ice and Fire

Abstract

In this dissertation, I aim to explore how literary fantasy can engage with, contribute to, and offer insight into contemporary discussions about gender and feminist issues. To do so, I will analyse the portrayals of four female characters from George R. R. Martin’s fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, who have generated fascination, praise, heated debate, and even controversy among readers and scholars alike. My analysis will be limited to the first four novels of the series, namely A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords 1: Steel and Snow, A Storm of Swords 2: Blood and Gold, and A Feast for Crows, and will not tackle the television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Chapter 1 will delve into the characterisation of Sansa Stark and Cersei Lannister. I will discuss how these two characters initially abide by the gender roles and norms of Westerosi society, but after realising how disempowering they are to women, Sansa decides to reclaim and redefine her femininity for herself and employ feminine power, while Cersei develops deep-seated internalised misogyny. Chapter 2 will delve into the characterisation of Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth. I will discuss how these two characters reject societal standards of femininity, embrace their masculinity, and subvert Westerosi gender roles and norms. Although these two characters suffer societal backlash for their non-normativity, especially Brienne, they both meet people along their journeys who accept and support them in their choices. Chapter 3 will explore the link between fantasy and reality in light of the feminist issues uncovered in the first two chapters. I will argue that fantasy stories, such as A Song of Ice and Fire, reflect reality and therefore can serve to critique reality and offer social hope. Martin’s female characters serve to embolden and empower women in contemporary times to overcome oppressive and patriarchal social systems. Finally, I will conclude by expanding the scope of this dissertation to the fantasy genre more broadly and by briefly comparing ASOIAF with another piece of literary fantasy. Throughout this dissertation, I will reference various gender and feminist theories and concepts, the most central of which are Simone de Beauvoir’s distinction between sex and gender, Judith Butler’s theory of gender performativity, and Jack Halberstam’s notion of female masculinity.