POV Characters: The Reason for Each One (Spoilers Extended)
WE have had 24 POVs in the story so far, after the series originally began with 8. GRRM's expansion on the number of POVs includes, but is not limited to the expanded scope, need for a viewpoint at different locations and/or something he enjoyed writing about.
Sorry I couldn't think of a cool name for this post.
Each POV character and why they were made one
#Major Characters
These 5 characters are what the story was originally about. We could discuss tropes and their meaning as characters all day long, but the point is that these 5 characters are POVs, because the story is about them.
Jon Snow
Daenerys Targaryen
Bran Stark
Arya Stark
Tyrion Lannister
#Introduced in AGOT
Eddard Stark - As a POV he is our early "protagonist", but his death later gives the reader the idea that anyone can die.
Catelyn Stark - The female counterpart to Ned, she also gives us the northern viewpoint for most of the War of the Five Kings, as GRRM has mentioned that he didn't want any of the kings involved to have a POV. I think he mentioned later regretting not having Robb as one as it could give away that he was going to die (only Stark besides da baby without one).
Sansa Stark - While introduced later than the other initial POVs, Sansa could possibly belong up above with the 5 other main characters. The reason for her addition as a character seems to be because the Starks got along too well as a family and as a POV, Sansa was our camera lens to much of what was going on in King's Landing during the end of AGOT and through much of ACOK/ASOS.
#Introduced in ACOK
Theon Greyjoy - Theon introduces us to the Ironborn characters/the Iron Islands and their plans for the War of the Five Kings and later disappears as a POV (before reappearing as Reek).
Davos Seaworth - Similar to Theon/Cat, Davos provides the team Stannis POV for the War of the 5 Kings.
#Introduced in ASOS
Samwell Tarly - With Jon "joining" the Wildlings, an Night's Watch POV was needed for the Battle at the Fist and the Mutiny at Craster's Keep. He and Jon overlap for a bit before Sam leaves the wall again at the beginning of AFFC/ADWD.
Jaime Lannister - Introducing Jaime as a POV allowed for one of the biggest character arc redemptions possible. Originally supposed to become king (lots of abandoned foreshadowing in AGOT), I think since GRRM abandoned that plotline, he saw this potential. A true "gardening" moment.
#Introduced in AFFC
Brienne Tarth - Similar to Jaime, Brienne offers a view into a character that is having major growth. Along with Jaime we get information on the goings ons in the Riverlands during the War of the Five Kings.
Cersei Lannister - After Sansa and Tyrion leave King's Landing, GRRM needed a POV here and Cersei's downfall is such great writing.
Asha/Aeron/Victarion Greyjoy - The Prologue for AFFC was supposed to be this Mega prologue that had basically all the Dornish/Ironborn chapters. As each of the Ironborn contain some "unnamed" chapters, we can't really decide for sure without more information. But it seems that like beginning of the actual series, the Ironborn all start together (somewhat) at the kingsmoot before branching out. Asha heading north, Victarion to slavers bay and Aeron to the belly of the beast.
Arianne Martell/Arys Oakheart/Areo Hotah The Prologue for AFFC was supposed to be this Mega prologue that had basically all the Dornish/Ironborn chapters. As each of the Dornish POVs contain some "unnamed" chapters, we can't really decide for sure without more information. But it seems that like beginning of the actual series, the Dornish all start together (somewhat) at Sunspear/Water Gardens before branching out. Arianne heading to Storm's End, Areo Hotah (aka the Camera that Rides) to chase after Darkstar and Arys Oakheart to the end of Hotah's axe.
#Introduced in ADWD
Quentyn Martell - Quentyn's story (I like it much better in a combined read of AFFC/ADWD) arc is small but powerful. GRRM seemed to really want to show that All men aren't meant to be dragonslayers
Barristan Selmy - I have argued before that introducing Barry as a POV earlier could improve the story. But the biggest reason for Barristan being added as a POV is that it allowed him to cut through the Meereenese Knot.
Melisandre - With Jon "dead", Melisandre will be our only viewpoint at the wall.
Jon Connington - Similar to the War of the 5 Kings, it seems that GRRM needed a viewpoint charcter around fAegon, but didn't want to make the boy himself a POV.
#Bonus (Prologue/Epilogue)
Will (Prologue) - Introduces the reader to the Others. The reader knows that they exist going into the story.
Cressen (Prologue) - Introduces Stannis and particularly Mel. The reader sees her power.
Chett (Prologue) - The Other's attack the fist, three horn blows.
Merrett (Epilogue) - Lady Stoneheart reveal.
Pate (Prologue) - Introduction to Oldtown. Faceless Men.
Varamyr (Prologue) - Warging info dump. The Skinchanger's Code
Kevan (Epilogue) - fAegon info dump.
We have "confirmation" that all of the above characters will return as a POV in TWOW (except Jon/Sam/Jaime/Brienne), even though I expect all/most of them as well
Let me know your thoughts or if you think there is a better reason as to why a character becoming a POV was necessary.
TLDR: Some thoughts on why GRRM decided to add each POV.
Posted Jun 29, 2020, 12:25 PM UTC