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“Game of Thrones” – Essay

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Submitted By biggybloch
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This is my own ‘essay’ in which I will analyse and interpret the two articles. My essay will primarily focus on the content, tone and style of the two articles. Also, my essay will include a comparative discussion of the main theme- and points of the two articles.

“Game of Thrones” is a medieval fantasy TV-series that premiered on HBO back in 2011. It’s an adaption of the book-series “A Song of Ice and Fire” written by George R. R. Martin. Since it’s beginning it has gained a lot of attention, success and controversy all around the world. Its popularity has increased extremely throughout the years. The series has obtained a broad and active fan base, and many people became fans immediately after the first episode. From the start it quickly caused controversy due to its use of sexual explicit- and violent scenes. Some people claimed the show to be too dominated by men being the ‘strongest’ gender, and also the amount of explicit material. Claiming that it wasn’t really suitable nor appealing to women. Although the controversy, the series still received acclaim by critics and viewers.

For this task I’ve dealt with two very different reviews. Reviewing the first episode of “Game of Thrones”, the two writers each has their own perception of the series and its content. First off we have a review from 2011 written by Ginia Bellafante. It’s called “A fantasy world of strange feuding kingdoms” , and was widely criticized back then. Her main point was that women only could watch a complex fantasy series, if it contained sexual explicit scenes like ‘Game of Thrones’. Sexual scenes should therefore be the only motivation for women to watch a fantasy series, according to Ginia. Her opinion was, as mentioned before, widely criticized for being sexist and superficial. She thinks that the ‘Game of Thrones’ series only appeals to men. The following quote can give you an idea of her thoughts:

“While I do not doubt that there are women in the world who read books like Mr. Martin’s, I can honestly say that I have never met a single woman who has stood up in indignation at her book club and refused to read the latest from Lorrie Moore unless everyone agreed to “The Hobbit” first. “Game of Thrones” is boy fiction patronizingly turned out to reach the population’s other half.”

This exact quote is also mentioned in the second review “Why women love literature”, written by Alyssa Rosenberg. Rosenberg does not have the same view as Bellafante, so in her review she does what “Bellafante appeared unable to even consider as a possibility” .
She questions the “The reasons fantasy might be a uniquely appealing genre to women.” Bellafante doesn’t try to understand the complexity of the story, plot and characters, she just claims that ‘Game of Thrones’ (and fantasy series in general) isn’t appealing to women. The aforementioned quote on page 1, also confirms the fact that Bellafante isn’t very credible in her way of reasoning. Some would probably call her ignorant and arrogant.

“’Game of Thrones’ serves up a lot of confusion in the name of no larger or really relevant idea beyond sketchily fleshed-out notions that war is ugly, families are insidious and power is hot.”

Also the fact that HBO would create such a ‘horrible’ show like “Game of Thrones” is a surprise to Bellafante.

”The bigger question, though, is: What is “Game of Thrones” doing on HBO?”

Fantasy is “boy fiction”, at least according to Bellafante, which is a very offensive statement towards women, but also towards the genre itself. When you’re stating that something is “boy fiction”, meaning you’re characterizing it, you’re actually promoting gender stereotyping. You’re patronising a gender and in Bellafante’s case: women.
When she wrote the review in 2011, the series had just begun. So the fact that her opinion and judging was based on one single instalment of the series is simply untrustworthy. Of cause is Bellafante entitled to her opinion, but reviews are not for making generalizations about women.
She completely forgets the real purpose and meaning of literature. Fantasy, in its both entertaining and literary forms, appeals to both men and women. It’s not specific to either gender. That’s a fact. Of cause men and women may be enjoying ‘Game of Thrones’ for different reasons, but in the end there’s one goal that both genders truly shares, and that is to be entertained and have fun.

Lets get back to Rosenberg’s review, which is a response to Bellafante’s review. Rosenberg criticises Bellafante, and has a way more positive attitude towards “Game of Thrones” and fantasy, compared to Bellafante’s prejudices. And if you take the time to read some of the comments, blog posts etc. on the Internet, you’ll quickly realise that a lot of women love fantasy. A lot! And especially fantasy literature as Rosenberg points out in her review.

”And Bellefante wonders why women might rush to embrace fantasy? It might be unrealistic to hope that we can dream our way out of social strictures, of bad marriages to barbarians, of the requirements of needlework, or a Saturday night out looking for Mr. Right. But sometimes, playing pretend can help us figure out what we want for real.”

In the end it’s a ridiculous discussion whether “Game of Thrones” appeals to men or women. It’s different from person to person. It doesn’t matter whether its “Game of Thrones” or fantasy, Comedy or Action, peas or carrots or whatever. It appeals different to every person.

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