Game Of Thrones Mather Hoyt 1

Game Of Thrones Entry 1
Chapter: Bran
    This chapter deals with Bran attending the execution of Gared, condemned for being a deserter. This old, weak, and frightened man ran away after his Night's Watch partners died.  Ned Stark, the Lord of Winterfell, performs the execution himself. Ned pressures Bran to not look away, and tells him that a true King must follow through with his laws and do the execution himself. On the ride back to Winterfell, the group discovers a dead direwolf with five pups, and one runt pup. John Snow tells Ned that this is destiny because it is one for each true offspring of the king, and one for himself the bastard.
    This chapter seemed the most important of our readings because of the eerie and blood-splattered tone for the rest of the book. This chapter also sets up a lot of character development. The readers see how Ned Stark is an honorable man, that believes in justice and protecting his kingdom of Winderfell. This chapter also shows how Robb Stark is just like his father in many aspects. Rob is a born leader, and the readers can sense that in the future he will have to step into his father's shoes. John Snow is clearly an outcast, this is obvious when he gets the runt of the direwolves. However, throughout the chapter he helps Bran through his first experience of an execution, and seems like he is a good brother. Bran tries his hardest to impress his father by not taking his eyes off the killing. Bran's character is nervous, but very curious.
    However, the most important part of this chapter was at the end when the party discovers the dead direwolf. The animal’s presence south of the Wall further indicates that problems from north of the Wall, such as those described in the prologue, may be headed south. This sets up a major underlining theme of zombies. While all the fighting between groups are developing during the novel, The Others are slowly making their way across the wall.