[No Spoilers] What was your initial thoughts on the various cultures of Westeros?

I’ve read enough fantasy before that I don’t clump cultures into real-life models but just sort of take them for what the author is offering, so I never broke them down in the way many people do including OP. It’s an obvious inspiration, oftentimes, especially on more nuanced culture concepts but I just sort of go with what the author is telling me rather than compartmentalize and assume, because in fiction, but especially fantasy, that can lead you astray from the author’s world.

To that effect I found the concept of the Old Gods really interesting, and the fact that the Northerners are so incredibly honest in front of trees that essentially never show any sort of power or repercussions really intrigued me. I wanted to know why Robert felt the way he did about riding on the Barrows, and what it meant to Northern culture. Such a strong cultural code in the absence of either organized religion, religious texts, or proof of vengeful/generous Gods was really interesting. It felt a little like the fear of Faeries, but... less, and with no supporting concepts. I’m actually very clueless but it reminded me more of what I’ve heard about some Japanese practices, or seen in some Japanese movies, where a stream or forest will have its own spirit... except usually there’s a distinct soul to that wilderness that either becomes sick or enraged when mistreated, while the Northerners don’t really get any signs. It was fascinating as a premise and mystery. I actually feel a little sad that Bloodraven is supposedly behind so much because I’ve always been intrigued by the Northerners and their religious devotion and kept waiting for Old Gods to show up somehow (not just as a little wind).

Those same Northerners seem to have a really boring society, though. Their castles are sophisticated enough, and they have beautiful wilderness, but to have this place only offer embroidery or whatever for every woman for centuries seemed so bizarre. There is the Winterfell library, but no concept of master writers or engrossing classics or popular trends or fads or anything except the few classic stories Sansa knows. There is no art, except for singing and the High Harp which is completely absent. There’s just... nothing. It seems very spare and unrealistic for people who have been around for thousands of years, and the absence of organized education and any sort of engineering besides siege weapons felt bare. At least in KL they have tapestries, and in the crypts are the works of these random master statue sculptors, but besides some ancient gargoyles we didn’t really get told about anything like that. In fact the only other statues besides at the Great Sept of Baleor were off in the womb of the world. Everything felt a little off to me about Northern society, but in a kind of intriguing way, not a sparse one.

Essossi are kinda all little shits except MAYBE the Braavosi.

Reminder - The crow who posted this thread has made it a (No Spoilers) thread. This scope covers NO story elements of ASOIAF or "Game of Thrones" per Rule 3.3. Any discussion of the story of the books or the show must use an appropriate spoiler tag such as (Spoilers Main) or (Spoilers Published).

Threads about r/asoiaf (meta topics) will be removed at moderator discretion.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

Please go on, and could you expand on why?

[deleted]

I enjoy looking for real life cultures for inspiration if only to find the character’s voice or accent in my head. It helps when reading and kinda putting in my head how certain things look.

In regards to the North, their sparseness, I never took as something that was bad. It just explains who they are. A people that deal with the Wildings (which I would argue is still part of their culture) long winters, and other harsh conditions- the Northerners sorta developed a culture that sheds what isn’t needed and focuses on what is considered important for survival.

The reach and Targaryens both being French.

There’s not really a 1 to 1 with each group. Each group is more of an amalgamation of several real world groups.

As an Irishman, I am mortally wounded you would associate us as the iron islands hahahah. We have never ever had a navy to speak of, and I hope the only reason you associate us with Iron Islands is perhaps being off the coast of 'England'. But thats the usual British sentiment of thinking Irish people are savages and perhaps uneducated and unkempt