Jon Snow: A Character Analysis

Jon Snow: A Character Analysis 

Jon Snow is one of the major characters of the best-selling novel, A Game of Thrones, which is written by George R.R. Martin. The novel is also being shown now on HBO. Both the novel and the television series are receiving rave reviews. The fan-base of the story becomes larger by the minute. Among the most favored characters is Jon Snow. In this paper, we conduct character analysis of Jon Snow, as portrayed in the first book of the saga. This analysis is based on the perception of the different characters about Jon.

Jon Snow is the bastard son of Eddard "Ned” Stark. He is recognized by Ned since birth and even brings him to live with the legitimate children: Rob, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon. Yet, recognition is different from acceptance. Jon grows up seeking approval and affection from his father, but the latter is not able to give this to Jon. Even if Ned attempts to be a stronger father figure to Jon, he remains to be distant. This is why some of the readers and critics suspect that Ned is not his father. After all, Ned only brings Jon as a baby from the war that dethroned Aerys Targaryen, the mad king.

Add to Jon’s despair is the hostility of Catelyn "Cat” Stark, Ned’s wife, to him. As a bastard, Jon is a symbol of Ned’s infidelity to her. Hence, Jon receives all the hatred that Cat could have directed to her husband (Cogman). She is jealous whenever Ned gives attention and shows affection to Jon. She does not approve her children’s good relationship with Jon. Thus, she is relieved when she learns that Jon wishes to become a member of the Night’s Watch brotherhood together with Benjen Stark, Ned’s brother.

Benjen Stark sees potential in Jon. He suggests that Jon should take the vow of Night’s Watch. He believes that Jon’s skills will only be wasted in Winterfell, because, after all, Robb is still the heir. He sees that in Night’s Watch, he can be of great help and can even become a leader. On the other hand, Jon idolizes his uncle and also wants to become a ranger like him. In order to have a purpose in life, Jon follows the suggestion of his uncle. Hence, he leaves Winterfell, with one of Stark sibling sad.

Among the Stark siblings, Jon is closest to Arya. He says to her, "I will support you when no one else will.” True to his words, he gives Arya a sword because this is what Arya really wants. Arya names the sword, Needle. Somehow, Jon understands the situation of Arya because she is also considered as an outsider. She does not possess womanly skills like her older sister, Sansa. For Arya, Jon gives the affection of an older brother than Rob fails to give. Rob is too busy because he is the heir of Winterfell. In the book, love among siblings is best illustrated in the relationship of Jon and Arya. Despite the high hopes of finally finding where he belongs, Jon is set to find new challenges.

In the Night’s Watch, Jon is viewed as an outsider too. Unlike most of them who are misfits and former criminals, Jon comes from a noble family. Nevertheless, his skills in swords and riding horse earn him the respect that he wants. He also finds a new friend, Samwell Tarley (Jacoby). Ultimately, he finally identifies where he belongs—in the Night’s Watch brotherhood. Amidst the presence of some haters, like Ser Allyser, Jon’s talents are recognized and he becomes a natural leader (Verhoeve, 257).

Works Cited:

Cogman, Bryan. Inside HBO’s Game of Thrones: Seasons 1 and 2. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books, 2012.

Jacoby, Henry. Game of Thrones and Philosophy: Logic Cuts Deeper than Swords. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2012.

Verhoeve, Remy. Re-reading a Game of Thrones: A Critical Response. MI, USA: Nimble Books.

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