i agree its not cool to use an entire continent as a testing ground. martin used to say over and over again how much he loved lord of the rings but that at the end when aragorn is made king, we have no idea what sort of king he would be so it doesn't surprise me that he would show people (not just dany) making huge blunders as they figure out how to rule. but let's face it - they're the other people, not the beloved people of westoros.
i think most people are not upset about the increasing death toll of daenerys' lessons because they are not westerners. how many fans have complained about characters with names they can't pronounce. (let's not mention that most fantasy books feature names that are not common) i think martin does that so we won't mind them being roasted or sliced or whatever. we're meant to not be as connected to them.
and to keep people from screaming racism as well as keep dany on the side of good, he has her fight to free people. its kind of smart as it brings up so many other points he wants to make - shows how fragile economies can be, shows how difficult it is to fully understand another's culture, shows that while we may not agree with a culture we don't necessarily have the right to interfere, shows how rulers have to compromise even when they don't want to, gives her opportunity to grow, etc.
i think this is also another way for grrm to show that doing the right thing isn't always right. no one would openly say not to do anything about slaves if you could, yet abolishing slavery (something we all agree is bad) in essos had unbelievable consequences (which i don't think we would have anticipated).
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2011-10-09 10:25 pm (UTC)you're funny :)
i agree its not cool to use an entire continent as a testing ground. martin used to say over and over again how much he loved lord of the rings but that at the end when aragorn is made king, we have no idea what sort of king he would be so it doesn't surprise me that he would show people (not just dany) making huge blunders as they figure out how to rule. but let's face it - they're the other people, not the beloved people of westoros.
i think most people are not upset about the increasing death toll of daenerys' lessons because they are not westerners. how many fans have complained about characters with names they can't pronounce. (let's not mention that most fantasy books feature names that are not common) i think martin does that so we won't mind them being roasted or sliced or whatever. we're meant to not be as connected to them.
and to keep people from screaming racism as well as keep dany on the side of good, he has her fight to free people. its kind of smart as it brings up so many other points he wants to make - shows how fragile economies can be, shows how difficult it is to fully understand another's culture, shows that while we may not agree with a culture we don't necessarily have the right to interfere, shows how rulers have to compromise even when they don't want to, gives her opportunity to grow, etc.
i think this is also another way for grrm to show that doing the right thing isn't always right. no one would openly say not to do anything about slaves if you could, yet abolishing slavery (something we all agree is bad) in essos had unbelievable consequences (which i don't think we would have anticipated).