Jon’s chapter beginning with “Jon was breaking his fast on applecakes…”

Elizabeth Taylor

Jon’s chapter beginning with “Jon was breaking his fast on applecakes…” 

During this chapter Jon and the other boys who are to join the Night Watch gather to pledge their vows. Jon successfully convinced Maester Aemon to allow Sam to join the Night Watch. However, Jon is shocked when he learns that he will not be a ranger but instead be a steward for the Lord Commander. He becomes very angry, but Samwell Tarly tries to convince him that it may not be as bad as he thinks. Sam tells of how he used to act as a steward for his father, attending all of the important events with him, until his brother Dickon replaced him. Sam tells Jon that if he was a steward for the Lord Commander he would be able to “know everything, [and] be a part of everything” after all “the Lord Steward said Mormont asked for [Jon] himself!” Jon rethought his position and ended up taking his vows with Samwell. 

This chapter is important within the context of the larger story because it gives a different perspective of the jobs in the Night Watch. After discovering that Jon would not be a ranger in the Night Watch, I was quite surprised. Jon had helped so many other boys develop the skills to become good swordsmen and had helped Sam survive the difficult, and for him, humiliating, experience. 

This chapter specifically develops the idea of medieval life in a way that hasn’t been seen before in the novel. Jon realizes that “Samwell Tarly had found the courage to accept his fate like a man.” Out of context, someone might misinterpret this statement thinking Samwell simply sucks it up. However, Samwell is really taking what he is given and making the best of it. This not only relates to medieval life but it also relates to today’s society. Although this is not seen from all of the characters in this novel it is definitely present in some, which is similar to the way it is in reality.  I chose this chapter because, previously, Sam seemed to be nothing more than a timid coward and we get more of a sense of his true character. Now the reader is able to see the optimism of Sam instead of the cowardice.