27 July, 2022

Why we should remember Ned Stark’s words. #FictionSavesLives
 #GameofThrones #GoT

 


Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell, has only what one can call a cameo in that huge series that is A Song of Ice and Fire series. Though only 5 out of 7 books are out, it is still a whole load of material to bite into. Yet Eddard Stark lasts about a bit over 500 pages.

Eddard Stark is great father, a fair lord, an honourable father but the worst politician in the history of Westeros. In his defence, being an honourable man and being a politician doesn’t go hand in hand. Other than what we know of him from the books and screen, we get to know him a lot better by how his children cope in Westeros. 

As a father, he taught his children honour and leadership. Even in a world where women are treated as nothing but, well for a lack of a better word, cattle, he treated Catelyn Stark better than some women are treated even today. He had respect for his wife {why he never told Katelyn about Jon is still being debated} and he did not stop his daughters (especially Arya) from anything. Infact, he did get Arya her ‘dancing master’!

While I did not like the ‘not questioning authority’ side of his personality, or how he treated Theon, but I think his quotes are some that we should all take to heart and follow.

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.”
- Eddark Stark definitely meant this about family. In modern times, I believe blood family can be replaced with our own version of family - our tribe. We definitely should stick together - especially during tough times.

"The madman sees what he sees.”
- We often try to understand other people motives for what they do and never understand because a logical mind can never really understand what a ‘madman’ sees. It is futile and exhausting for the one who tries. Sometimes, it is just better to accept that we may not ever understand and in a way that is a good thing!

Jon Snow: What did father used to say? Everything before the word "but" is horse shit. {from TV Show}
- Use this a  Red Flag in your life. Seriously. How many times have we heard ‘I love you, but…’, ‘I want to help, but…’, ‘I wish I could, but…’ I think, when someone says or feels or wants something, they make every effort. One only uses but in such scenarios for an excuse. Once or twice could be an exception, but a pattern is certainly a red flag that you should not ignore.

While I wouldn’t take any notes from Ned Stark on how to navigate a political environment, or who to trust in general… I will never forget these quotes.



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