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Elmaliah, Yaron (2018)

“Life is not a song, sweetling”: Feminism and Subversion of Medievalist Fantasy Tropes in A Song of Ice and Fire

Bachelor thesis | Engelse taal en cultuur (BA)
This thesis investigates the participation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire (1996-2011) in a tradition of nominally feminist fantasy literature that challenges patriarchal values commonly found in the genre. By close-reading the characters of Arya, Sansa, and Brienne, this thesis argues that the novels act as a subversion of common fantasy tropes while at the same time standing in opposition to nominally feminist fantasy literature that centers on female protagonists overcoming the patriarchy through skill at arms. By emphasizing the struggle of everyone living under the patriarchy, Martin's series instead highlights the need for cultural revolution in attitudes towards gender.
feminism
fantasy
literature
Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire
gender
subversion
Author
Elmaliah, Yaron
Faculty
Faculty of Humanities
Supervisors
Murchison, K.A.
ECTS Credits
10
Language
en