The increasing role of Sparrows

[napthali]

hmmm...Sparrows and Lions and Dragons, Oh My! I never saw any political/religious/social allegory/commentary in these books which is a good thing because if a had I would never have bought or read subsequent books. I'm still being rehabilitated from Sword of Truth(burn it!burn it!) and I really hate commentary/political parallel kind of stuff.

..TSW..I said the same thing a few posts..I feel your pain. If authors want to espouse a certain political or philosophical viewpoint..go write in a different genre..keep it out of fantasy

 

[Boaz]

On the other hand, no writer can divorce himself/herself from bringing forth theological, social, political, and familial viewpoints... probably the author's own opinion.

For example, J.R.R. Tolkien's, Stephen King's, and Ernest Hemingway's works are thick with their views on theology. A Christian, an agnostic (I'm assuming this as King's outlook), and an atheist all have written very deeply moving literature. I cannot claim to have read all of their works of fiction, but from what I've read... their views are inescapable, but I don't feel like any of them are up on soap boxes.

Mr. Martin, as any author in a free society, has the freedom to write with intent to plead his theological viewpoint. C.S. Lewis did just that... very pro-Christian material. But in free societies, we have the right not to buy or read the author's works if we so choose.

Now I wonder if the Sparrows, as agents of change and champions for the downtrodden, will turn the monarchy of the Iron Throne into more of a free and democratic society... or will they attempt to build a restrictive and centralized theocracy?

Under Aerys, saying the wrong word meant death. Under Robert, there seems to have been a lot more freedom of speech. Joffrey's and Tommen's rule (guided by Cersei) have been more restrictive on free speech. What will the Sparrows think of free speech?

On a side note, I am grateful to Mr. Martin for writing on such a grand scope and with such good character development. He's given me a lot to post on.

 

[AryaUnderfoot]

I don't think the Sparrows will be too big on freedom of speech, given what their apparent goals are. The only way they can stop heresy is to a) root out the heretics and prevent them from spreading their ideals or b) provide a miracle for a whole LOT of people to witness.

They'll put a damper on what people can say, I'm betting.

 

[napthali]

of course its normal for an authors beliefs to influence their writing. I'm speaking about those (or at least one that I am aware of) that go overboard with it.

AryaUnderfoot, I agree..I see a lot of clamping down on the other religions and a more sterile lifestyle if they have their way.

I do wonder if Lancel already confessed to the head sparrow or willl he do so at the trial (right before jamie saves her)

 

[Tyranus]

Jaime will not save her, he burned the message and did not reply for a reason. I firmly believe that if he is going to save an imperiled woman, it will be Brienne.

 

[direghost]

Jaime did burn her message, but it's not clear that he did it not to save her. He is still a Lannister.

And while he probably would help Brienne if he could, there are a few problems with that--he doesn't know where she is, or that she is in trouble, or that his help would only seal her doom even if he knew to and where to look for her.

 

[foxtrot023]

I am wondering how is the plot going to fit with the Sparrows being very much pro the 7 gods, while there is also a very important issue with the Other and the Fire God Rhall (sp?) which leads me to think that there could either be a very ugly clash between the 2 religions, or that the sparrows are a short term plot whose objective is mainly to keep the Lannisters-tyrells in line.