Jon's First Chapter

Andrew Hieken

Jon Snow

In the Great Hall of Winterfell, an enormous welcoming feast in the king's honor rages on to its fourth hour.  Jon Snow, the bastard son of Eddard Stark, enjoys the feast apart from the rest of the family, as Lady Stark thought it would be offensive to the royal family to allow a bastard to sit with them.  Accompanied by his uncle Benjen Stark, a member of the Night's Watch, Jon discusses his desire to join him at the Wall and take the Black(pledge to the Night's Watch). Upon Benjen's disapproval, Jon storms drunkenly out of the hall.  Outside, Jon is approached by Tyrion Lannister, the imp younger brother of Cersei and Jaime Lannister.  After a brief discussion, Tyrion counsels Jon about being a bastard and heads back into the feast.

This chapter further develops the readers understanding of how Jon Snow feels as a bastard and creates a dynamic relationship between Jon and Tyrion Lannister.  Tyrion Lannister says to Jon, "Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength.  Then it can never be your weakness," (p.57).  This shows how harsh the world can be for people like Jon and Tyrion who aren't necessarily accepted by their families and culture.  As a bastard, Jon Snow can never amount to much, for he does not have the Stark name or the fortune.  In today's society this theme can be seen in the struggle of those who are different, whether its their appearance or their ethnicity or anything else. The character development of Jon Snow is very interesting in the chapter.  By the end of the chapter you can tell Jon has kind of a rude awakening and realizes that being a bastard does not mean he can never become something.