Family And Identity

George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire incorporates family very effectively. For Nobles, family is more than just relatives; it's a para-military organization with its own ideals, symbolism, and code. The Starks are the clear fan favorites, and no wonder. From the practicality of their Family Words, Winter is Coming to their belief in justice, loyalty, and honesty, the Starks are a fan favorite because they represent an ideal of “good.” In Martin's world, however, this makes them ripe targets, and it's no mystery that they drop like flies in the brutal and pragmatically human world his books have created. (Fair warning to anyone who picks up this series – don't fall in love with any of the characters!)

Contrasting the Starks are the Lannisters, whose motto Hear Me Roar are an effective warning of their expansionist power-grabbing nature. Their lion crest further underscores their ferocity, both on the battlefield and in subterfuge. Yet the Lannisters have more than their share of faults. They're often petty, short-sighted, and cruel even by Westeros' considerably loose standards. It's not hard to see how these two Noble Houses might come into conflict, and Martin masterfully uses family to help define and support his characters.