Why is Ghost silent?

[<nox>]

Hello! Newbie here and going through my second read of the series and seem to be finding even more niggling questions than when I originally started.
The specificity of Jon's wolf, Ghost, really stood out to me during this second read. Any thoughts on why the author spent so much more description on him than the other wolves? What portents does his physical traits mean? And why does it get pointed out so often that he is always silent?
Also, just wanted to add that I LOVE this forum! Though, sometimes it deflates my ego because I'll think I've uncovered a cool lead only to see it's been thought of and totally dissected here. All these amazing hypothesis/theories keep me entertained for hours.

 

[juleska]

Welcome to the Chrons, nox! Don't feel bad that others have discovered the same clues you have, think of it as validation that you're on the right track. There is so much I picked up on my second read of the series that I missed on the first run, and so much more I picked up because of discussions here. No one here will judge you for discovering an already discovered theory....trust me, I've done it plenty of times.

 

[BetaWolf]

Personally, I think that Ghost will have a bigger part to play in the last books of the series. That could explain the build-up.

Or, as Jon's constant companion, Martin just indulged himself a bit. I think that he set up enough loose threads early on for himself to use later on.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Welcome to chronicles.

My initial thinking is that because the wolfs connect symbolically with the House of Stark, then as a *******, Jon will never have a say in that house, even with what happens after. The wolf is already white (snow) showing it an outsider. Being silent would be a simple way to underline the point of having no say.

 

[joshrackley]

Welcome to chronicles.

My initial thinking is that because the wolfs connect symbolically with the House of Stark, then as a *******, Jon will never have a say in that house, even with what happens after. The wolf is already white (snow) showing it an outsider. Being silent would be a simple way to underline the point of having no say.

This could then set up the symbolism between Ghost breaking his silence and Jon finding out his true parentage/house, thus giving him a "voice."

 

[juleska]

Welcome to chronicles.

My initial thinking is that because the wolfs connect symbolically with the House of Stark, then as a *******, Jon will never have a say in that house, even with what happens after. The wolf is already white (snow) showing it an outsider. Being silent would be a simple way to underline the point of having no say.

I'd agree with all of this and add that being silent means nobody ever sees (or hears) that wolf coming, and he reveals very little to the casual observer...both of which could be said of Jon. Janos Slynt certainly didn't see Lord Commander Snow coming (figuratively speaking), did he?

 

[joshrackley]

And the Iron Throne won't see him coming since nobody really knows about his claim to the kingdom ... if it exists ... which I think it does.

 

[ArstenWhitebeard]

Good point there Juleska. on the same line, Qhorin halfhand probably didn't see Ghost coming either.

Ghost has certainly been set up to be important. there is another thread in this forum that talks about how Ghost can "sense" his brothers and sisters, something that, as far as I can remember, is also unique to Ghost. how many chapters do we get to see inside Summer's head? and nothing like that takes place. Though I must say that all the wolves have some powers. I am reminded of summer and shaggy howling right before the raven that bore the news of Neds death came to winterfel.

Also, when the starks originally find the wolves (one of Brans chapters) he remarks that he thinks it is strange that Ghost would have opened his eyes when all the rest were still blind.

 

[joshrackley]

Also, when the starks originally find the wolves (one of Brans chapters) he remarks that he thinks it is strange that Ghost would have opened his eyes when all the rest were still blind.

We know that Bran has "opened his eyes" more than Jon but what if the wolves have their own counterpart "power" to see and sense beyond the physical realm. Ghost's eyes definitely seem to be more open to those things at this point.

 

[The Imp]

Welocme to the Chrons, and thanks so much for the compliments IMO, this is the finest public,discussion forum on the internet.

Your post got me started on a train of thought that would derail this thread, so rather than do that, let me think about it and start a new post.

Short thought, maybe Ghost is autistic and has special powers (kind of like Rain Man) I have an autistic cat, so that proves my theory is correct

 

[Eversummer]

I've just about remember something about the death of Eddard Stark. Only the brothers Bran and Rickon seemed to share the same dream. They somehow knew what happened to their father but Jon only learned when they got the raven from KL.

 

[TK-421]

I don't think Ghost was always completely silent. I believe there was an instance when he growled and barred his teeth. Can't remember when.

 

[ArstenWhitebeard]

I don't think Ghost was always completely silent. I believe there was an instance when he growled and barred his teeth. Can't remember when.

He barrs his teeth pften but I've not read a line that stated he was growling. Apparently he doesn't need to.

 

[Boaz]

I think Brian is correct... Ghost's silence shows Jon's lack of voice in family matters. But will Jon always be shut out? At the end of ADWD he decided to make his voice known among the Starks... "How's that workin' for ya?"

Anyway, if Jon is half Stark, then he may find his voice when he finds the other side of his family... <cough> <Dany> <cough>

 

[ArstenWhitebeard]

That may be but I hope Ghost always stays silent. He's way cooler that way.

 

[TK-421]

I do not see Ghost making it to the end. Just a gut feeling.

 

[GonnaNeedaBiggerBoat]

I do not see Ghost making it to the end. Just a gut feeling.

I hope that's not the case...but well, it IS GRRM afterall, SO in the spirit of Valar Morghulis, how right it would feel that when Jon dies, he wargs with Ghost and they live out their days as one, hunting game and roaming the forests...