What are your thoughts on Sansa Stark?

[Barnana]

Actually I grew up with a sister that I'm now best friends with so I happen to have a very good idea about how siblings interact at a young age.Also I fail to comprehend where exactly it was that i said 'graceful' and 'decent' are the opposite of strong.I implied that Sansa was neither.Also if you're gonna use that argument to defend her for lying about Mycah,then there really isn't a whole lot i can say.It's really simple to me.She was asked to tell the truth.She could've been honest and vindicated her sister.But she chose not to.It doesn't matter how her testimony may or may not have affected the hound's decision.She,as an individual,chose not to do the right thing.Also,let me tell you a little something about siblings-we fight like crazy when we're young,but we never ever abandon the other person in a serious situation.No matter how young we are.Not the way Sansa did.She's a selfish little girl who just cant stand the idea of setting aside her dream of being queen.You want decent and graceful?Daenerys is decent and graceful.Brienne is decent and graceful.Yet they don't feel the need to cower in their respective corners of the world and wait to be saved.Their strength doesn't mar their decency or grace.They have the strength to challenge societal norms.Unlike Sansa.

[Laura]

Yeah, now I can see clearly that you know what it is to be in Sansa's shoes. If only she had been the perfect little girl that you were, this war had never started! And now I also see how Daenerys fought societal norms and refused to be sold to Kahl Drogo. The way she stood up to her abusive brother without any help from anyone was outstanding.

Now, seriously... this is the problem, right there when you say "It's really simple to me". Because, you see, the whole situation in which any of these characters are and how any of these characters are portrayed (almost each one of them, from the main to the smallest roles) are far from simple. Their characterizations are deep and complex, as their situations are. But if simplifying all this rich complexity to "This one is good" and "This one is bad" makes you happy, well chapeau bas!

[Barnana]

Daenerys was freeing slaves and leading an army at age 13 while Sansa sat in la la land judging her sister and pretty much everybody else.Also contrary to what you may think,I really don't believe in black and white characters.I understand Sansa's reaction to things even.She grew up with an over developed sense of entitlement and when she was thrust in a difficult situation,she did the only thing she could.She submitted.Also about the Khal Drogo thing,Daenerys was smart enough to use her position as Khaleesi so that it benefitted her.She is also so much kinder than Sansa.I understand that Sansa might not be a completely bad person.Its too early to say that.I'm just saying that she's selfish and right now,to me,her character seems to be situated more on the darker side of the spectrum.
PS-Top marks on the sarcasm though.You are however, quite accurate about me being perfect.

[Laura]

HAHAHA now I have to thank you. It's always nice to start the day with a good laugh!

[Barnana]

I wholeheartedly agree.Plus a good debate never hurt anyone.

[Mark]

Agreed. Didn't hurt me, but got a bit boring and personal near the end.

It's fiction. Relax.

[So]

I really don't understand why people are annoyed at her for treating Tyrion the way she does. Put yourself in her shoes. The majority of her family is killed while she is stuck with the Lannisters and it's mostly their fault for the Starks demise. She gets treated poorly from The Hound, Joffrey, Payne and Cersei. Why would she ever trust Tyrion after all she's been through? lol. She never gets time to mourn and grow as a person.

[Laura]

Steven wrote: "I really don't understand why people are annoyed at her for treating Tyrion the way she does. Put yourself in her shoes. The majority of her family is killed while she is stuck with the Lannisters ..."

Many people tend to forget that Sansa (even if she hadn't been a heavily traumatized 12 year-old) didn't know what we know as readers. Some people think that it should be obvious to anyone that "Tyrion is the good guy", so Sansa should have "known better".

Some tend to compare her story to other characters' stories, which is absurd, because each character has dealt with the situation they were put in (usually not by choice, in fact).

Example: Dany was NOT freeing slaves and leading an army at the age of 13; she was being traded into marriage to Drogo (she got pregnant by her 14th name day). At the age Sansa got married to Tyrion, Daenerys was doing nothing but following her abusive big brother around. We have no clue what Sansa will be doing in a couple of years, but perhaps it would be useful to remember that Dany got DRAGONS, which is how she managed to get the respect of a handful of Dothraki after Drogo died and to obtain an army for free.

I'm not saying that Dany's quest has no merit; just that the comparison with Sansa is absurd and unfair.

[C. G.]

I'm thinking everyone might have missed a condition of her characterization. She is the damsel in distress. That's her archetype. Catlyn has guided her upbringing and education solely with the goal of being a wife to a noble lord and producing children from their marriage. That is her entire worldview. She has been mentally and emotionally tortured for the best part of two years, and now that her shining knight has rescued her, only more mental distress awaits her. Should she live to see her 20th year, she may be as cold and ruthless and as crazy as Cersei. that is, if Arya the assassin doesn't kill her on contract.

[Laura]

Christopher wrote: " that is, if Arya the assassin doesn't kill her on contract. "

I saw this before; it goes against the rules of the Faceless Men, so not gonna happen, :)

[Monica]

Barnana wrote: "Sansa is such an excessively shallow creature,that no matter how hard i try to justify her behavior,i just can't.While in King's Landing,she had grown accustomed to abuse from Joffrey and some of t..."

Absolutely in agreement.

[Matthew]

Christopher wrote: "I'm thinking everyone might have missed a condition of her characterization. She is the damsel in distress. That's her archetype. Catlyn has guided her upbringing and education solely with the g..."

No, I don't think anyone missed this about her. In fact, its the very reason why many don't like her. Somehow, the damsel in distress simply isn't an endearing character in today's world. Perhaps it's because the theme was beaten to death by traditional folklore, nursery rhymes and epic tales. Or just the fact that its sexist and assumes women have no role beyond being rescued by the gallant man.

But of course, Sansa represents an interesting subversion of this in many ways. For starters, she is forced to endure being a captive and learns to survive by her wits. Then, she is "rescued" by a man who seeks to use her for his own ends, and she once again turns to her wits in order to make the situation livable. One can only wonder how it will all end for her, but I have a feeling she will endure and live to see a little justice meted out.

[Shane]

I think she'd benefit greatly if Tony Stark was her brother.

[Robert]

She has been surrounded by major players throughout the books, and has learnt a great ordeal. I think she will have a much more substantial role in the future books.

[C. G.]

Matthew wrote: "Christopher wrote: "I'm thinking everyone might have missed a condition of her characterization. She is the damsel in distress. That's her archetype. Catlyn has guided her upbringing and educati..."

In a traditional fantasy novel, she might live to see some wrongs put to right. In Martin's world, she might get eaten by a dragon ridden by her bastard brother. I'd prefer to see the latter. Arya's my favorite Stark, anyway.

[Laura]

Shane wrote: "I think she'd benefit greatly if Tony Stark was her brother."

One of the best comments about Sansa in the whole thread.

[Matthew]

Laura wrote: "Shane wrote: "I think she'd benefit greatly if Tony Stark was her brother."

One of the best comments about Sansa in the whole thread."

I remember reading somewhere that George R. R. Martin named the house as an homage to Iron Man.

[Laura]

[Robert]

But he is outside of Winterfell? And knowing him, it's probably going to blow up in about 3...2...1...

[Divya]

I didn't think much of her during the first few books especially after she 'claimed' to be in love with the highly detested Joffrey Baratheon. The action was all focused on Arya. But as the plot thickened, Sansa's character has become quite interesting and important. I enjoyed her scenes with the Hound and also her exchanges with Littlefinger. I love how she's become so mysterious and mature over the years. I'm sure she'll have a big role to play in the coming books. Looking forward to it.

[Reckless Serenade]

She is the strongest character , sometimes I identify with her. Sansa is a survivor.

[M]

She's my least Stark, but I don't dislike her as much as I once had in the first book. I've decided to blame her annoying/selfish personality & actions on her youth. Presently, I find her character much more likeable, I respect her ability to survive considering all she's been through. I feel she's going to become something like a Margaery (if she doesn't die!)as far as the silver tongue goes. I mean...being with Baelish will certainly help her learn to use her mind and words to her benefit. We have already seen how she was able to manipulate Joffrey a little bit, though not as well as Marg. I think she's going to play an important role as the series ends.

[Belén]

Extremely smart young woman whose only crime is believing in stories, songs and happy endings- but mostly, that people are inherently good. The reason why she is so hated is because, unlike Arya, she has chosen femininity in order to survive within the patriarchal society she has been brought up in. By the time she's 13 she's been through hell and back, to the point of thinking about suicide (at age 13!!!!!!): she's seen her father die, been physically and verbally abused by the people she thought she loved, and thinks her entire family is dead. That shit could destroy a person, or at least turn them bitter and cold. Yet she is still alive, and she's kind and loving. I will defend Sansa Stark to my death.

[Brooklyn]

I think she's the most naive and childish character in the series, and has definitely suffered the most psychological torture. However, I suspect that she might have more growth than any others and I'm holding out some hope that she'll find her strength and do some damage to her enemies at the end.

[Richard]

She's her mother's daughter: a pawn used roughly in a political chessgame. Slowly finding herself.

[Brooklyn]

Hopefully she doesn't become a zombie too!

[Richard]

Wasn't she a zombie through most of what has happened up to her sojourn with Littlefinger? Poor Kat!

[Brooklyn]

Good point. She really did seem like one now that you mention it. I'm rereading the series and halfway through book 3 again.

I'm really hope she snaps out of it and escaped. Littlefinger is getting creepier every chapter.

[Richard]

Well, at least she finally realizes that she's still got a lot to learn. If only her mother had been more engaged with her... oh well.

[Hannah]

Barnana wrote: "Laura wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Barnana wrote: "Sansa is such an excessively shallow creature,that no matter how hard i try to justify her behavior,i just can't.While in King's Landing,she had grown a..."

Wow! Sansa does not need a man at all. She wants a man. Big Difference. The main difference between Arya and Sansa is that Arya doesn't fit Westeros norms for females and Sansa does. So? If Sansa finds joy in being a proper lady then who am I to judge? Second of all Sansa is not a victim. She is in about the worst situation a girl could be in in her position but she still pulls through. Sansa is smart and even though she doesn't wield a sword she is great in her own way. Also when is Arya little miss perfect? I adore Arya don't get me wrong but she can be naive and stupid too. No one in the series is perfect which is why I like it. And classifying Sansa by putting her into an archetype box is really out there. The entire point of the Game of Thrones novels is to challenge archetypes. Martin presented us with two female characters: the tomboy and the damsel. And yet as you get to know Sansa and Arya you realize they are both so much more than stereotypes. He's trying to show that the damsel can be brave and the tomboy can become something much darker than you would first have believed. Arya and Sansa have their own paths. And they need each other.

[Hannah]

Bel wrote: "Extremely smart young woman whose only crime is believing in stories, songs and happy endings- but mostly, that people are inherently good. The reason why she is so hated is because, unlike Arya, s..."

Thank you.

[Ad.costas]

Sansa is learning as you might have noticed in the last book. Plus she now has the best possible teacher. I think that soon she will be ready for the game. Arya won't be the only one avenging her family I guess.

[C. G.]

Cemre wrote: "Am ı the only one who thinks that Sansa's storyline with Littlefinger resembles the second half of Wuthering Heights ? A little bit ? Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite books so maybe I'm ima..."

Interesting view. I've seen many classic literature similarities in this series, from Canterbury Tales to Tom Sawyer.

[Hannah]

Cemre wrote: "Am ı the only one who thinks that Sansa's storyline with Littlefinger resembles the second half of Wuthering Heights ? A little bit ? Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite books so maybe I'm ima..."

I love Wuthering Heights too! I do see your point as Sansa does resemble Catherine's daughter and Littlefinger is like Heathcliff, still in love with her mother Cat. What an interesting and insightful perspective!

[Jeanine]

Now she is wed to an awful abuser who raped her on their wedding night

[Nisha]

I believe Sansa's character is highly subserviant with how Lady Stark raised her children with gender roles and Sansa believes and follows the notion of gender roles, while her younger sister Arya breaks them. In setting gender roles, Sansa's world, fantasy and reality are based on romantisised stories about marriage, nobility but is unaware or naive of the brutality and the harsher nature of individuals. While she is good natured and kind, Sansa Stark's image about her ideal husband/lord is based on the stories she's been told growing up as handsome etc, hence, her initial attraction to Prince Joffrey before learning about his abusive side. Sansa Stark unlike Arya is not willing to push boundaries and learn to fight for herself. Sansa relies on people to help her, instead of fighting for what she wants and she gets abused with other people's mixed intentions and ambition.

[Bruce]

I'm just catching up on the discussions of Santa on this web, and there's some excellent insights, thank you everyone!

I have to admit, my favorite is the photo by Laura of Tony Stark at Winterfell!

[Michell]

Arpan wrote: "Compared to Sansa, Arya's character has been more interesting. I always felt that she was an airhead. But as hopefully with Little finger pulling the string and training her in the Game of Thrones,..."

What?! We have to wait for 2 more books? Never mind, we'll all be dead before they're finished.

[Michell]

Kirby wrote: "I think that I was most angry with sansa over how she treated tyrion at their wedding."


I wasn't a fan of it either, but she has no reason to think he means her any good. After all, Joffrey behaved kindly toward Sansa in the beginning.

[Aurora]

Sansa has a different strength than her sister, and most people that call her weak don't recognize that. For me, she's one of the strongest characters because she endures and does what she has to in order to survive King's Landing and Petyr's schemes. Sansa may never wield a sword like Ayra, but Sansa's quiet strength is much more powerful because it may end up making her a serious contender in the Game of Thrones.

[Nicole]

As to Sansa's youth, in that world you could marry and be a mother at 13, so I don't really see her age as excusing her behavior. I can't bring myself to like her. She drives me crazy. I have felt empathy for some of the situations she has been put in, but I still don't like the character. She is mean to Arya, she is selfish, she makes really bad decisions. Not much to like there.

[Solemn]

If sansa stark was drowning I'd throw her a fucking dumbell.