Mortality rate of Men vs Women [SPOILERS]

[napthali]

Are the in ASoFaI men killed off at a significantly higher rate than women? I mean outside of a battle scene. Assuming previous statment is true is it easier for an author (even the groundbreaking GRRM) to kill a male character than a female one? I'm trying to remember the semi/major female characters who were killed and all I can come up with are (I warned you all my memory is crap ):

Cathelyn
the young woman from her banner house
Lysa
Jon's wildling woman
the woman Qyburn tortured

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

Well, to add to that list;
Lyanna
Elia - Rhaegar's wife
Lollys - killed by Bronn (at least I think she was, as memory serves)
and possibly Brienne??

These are all 'recent' deaths which impacted on the main story in one way or another.

I see the point you're trying to make, but remember this is based in a patriarchal medieval world, so a lot of the important decision-makers are male. A great deal is made of Lady Mormont & Brienne, because they don't conform to the stereotype of the time. To be honest, considering the society this world is based on, there are a lot of strong female leads or at least female leads which have a lot of power.

As for is it easier to kill a male lead than a female one - I think GRRM has proved that pretty much no-one is save from sudden death in his world, male or female.

 

[Dolorous Edd]

The only major character who i can recall, off the top of my head, who has died of "natural" causes has been Aemon. The other's have either fallen in battle or been asasinated, murdered etc. Pretty much all of these killings have been at least partially politically motivated, and there are just more men in positions of power in ASOIAF, and so more of them have been killed. Simple as.

 

[Niolani]

I'm not sure if Lollys is dead but Tanda and Falyse Stokesworth are most probably. Doreah, Dany's handmaid died from sickness, Eroeh the girl she saved was killed by the one of the new khals. Dany burnt Mirri Maz Durr in the funeral pyre for Drogo. Senelle was one of Cersei's maids given over to Qyburn and don't forget Shae!

 

[Boaz]

Women? Septa Mordane, Maege Mormont, Dacey Mormont, .

Men?

Ned Stark... I cannot overstate the importance of this death. Martin made a truly remarkable statement by killing off the seeming main protagonist in the first book of a seven book series. Killing Ned Stark hooked me. Martin taught us to never be surprised after this.

Ned, Robert, Tywin, Beric, Renly, Drogo, Drogo's bloodriders, Rhaego, Viserys, Balon Greyjoy, Robb, Vargo, Craster, Jory, Ser Rodrik, Hoster, Oberyn, Arys Oakheart, the Titan's *******, all of the Grazdans, Ser Cleos, Dareon, Robar Royce, Rickard Karstark, Maester Luwin, Joffrey, the Old Bear, Qhorin, Alester Florent, Ser Mandon, Mycah, Biter, two High Septons, Aron Santagar, Balon Swann, Weese, Yoren, Lommy, Syrio?, Theon?, Davos?, Sandor?, Gregor?, Marillion?, Benjen?.

 

[TK-421]

If killing Ned was such a surprise and thought us to expect the unexpected, will he kill off the main female protagonist (i.e. Cersei)? Maybe the Sparrows execute her in their God Court...

 

[Prefx]

Ah, interesting question, TK. That also brings up the idea that Dany might die, which would be interesting to see since most theories (I've read, at least) about the ending involve her reclaiming the throne in some way or another. If Dany died, I can't begin to say what I would feel. :-(

 

[TK-421]

Men: Daerion (not sure if I spelled that right...the Black brother killed by Arya), PLEASE NOT Davos or Sandor (two of my favourites after Tyrion and Jon).

 

[AryaUnderfoot]

Women:

Mirri Maz Durr (sp?)
Old Nan
Lollys' sister

 

[TK-421]

Could Davos really be dead? I mean, that would really really suck. He's one of the best characters and to kill him "offsite" like that in AFFC when his POV will not come until ADFD is kind of a rip off. Has GRRM made any statements or given any hints as to whether this was the only way he could present Davos' death?

 

[JohnSnow]

I think when many of the women are killed off we do not linger on them, for example I forgot how many women were killed when Theon took over Winterfell and then had it destroyed around him.

 

[TK-421]

I think when many of the women are killed off we do not linger on them, for example I forgot how many women were killed when Theon took over Winterfell and then had it destroyed around him.

That's because he's killed mainly secondary female characters so far but on the other hand has killed several important male characters. Cersei, Arya, Sansa, Brienne, Melissandre, Maergery, Queen of Thorns, Dany, Arianne, Asha, Meera, Teana are all still alive. Even f*$% Catelyn is still alive...Kill one already...Just not Brienne...

 

[JohnSnow]

That's because he's killed mainly secondary female characters so far....

That was kind of the underlying point, but I agree with you, he needs to kill off (and I believe will) some of the main female characters. How many more serving wenches can get slaughtered in castle sacking!

I would like to say Cersei is at the top of the list, but Martin leads you all the way to what you think is going to happen and then jerks you in a totally different direction. So we will see... IN THREE YEARS! Need time machine now!!

 

[RhaegarTarg]

I dont think that too many women will be dying in ADWD seeing as its focusing on the wall and on dany. unless dany dies, then no major females will be killed. males however. bran wont die but jojen or meera(fogot about her) just may. Jon will defiantly not be killed by any rebels on the wall ( i myself will not allow it) and Danys well.... how do you expect to kill dany. Her dragons will be as large as a bear by then. We'll just have to wait till "A Time For Wolves" (possible 6th book) till we see the dying of the estrogenness. Oh and it will be fun reading cersi die. slowly. painfuly... the bitch.

 

[allmenmustdie]

Lysa Tully Arryn, Harma Dogshead, Dalla, Ygritte, Shae, Dacey Mormont, Mirri Maz Duur, Septa Mordane, Barra and her mother,Doreah, Eroeh, Tanda Stokeworth, Harra, Masha Heddle...



Doreah