The Parallel Journey of Daenerys Targaryen & Arya Stark: Essay Three
Here is the conclusion to The Parallel Journey of Daenerys Targaryen and Arya Stark essay series. Our next essay will be on Daenerys and Aruanne and after that Daenerys and Bran Stark. Enjoy!
The Last Dragon and The Lone Wolf: Daenerys Targaryen and Arya Stark
Daenerys Targaryen. Stormborn. Blood of the Dragon. Khaleesi. Mother of Dragons. The Unburnt. Slayer of Lies. Mhysa. Breaker of Chains. Queen in Meereen. Dany.
Arya Stark. Arya Horseface. Arry. Weasel. Nan. Salty. The Lone Wolf. Cat of the Canals. The Little Blind Girl. The Ugly Girl. The Night Wolf. Mercy. No One.
If we were to make a list of the major themes that George RR Martin has woven into his series thus far, identity would be somewhere near the top. Whether a character is hiding their true identity, whether their identity is slowly being revealed to the reader, or whether their identity is being stripped away, the question of “who are you really” gets put to every POV character in the series. This includes Daenerys and Arya, two characters who are trying to negotiate their own identity as women, nobles, conquerors or killers, traumatized youths, and lonely little girls. Both Arya and Dany present readers with a chance to see that our identity is constantly in flux and responds to our situations, our friends, our environment and circumstance.
For Arya, I propose that we look at our Young Wolf Girl as an actress. Over the course of their careers, actresses will play hundreds of roles—thousands if they are lucky. Part of their job is to embody their character; you hear actresses and actors talk about needing to get inside the head of their character, to understand (not just play) their role. This is helped, along the way, by conscience clothing, hair, makeup, and expressive decisions such as ticks, dialect, hand gestures, ect. Arya goes through all of this. She is not simply playing roles when she adopts different names; she becomes a different person, complete with costume changes and manner of thinking.
For Dany, I propose that she is a bit different. She might put on various costumes, but they are in service of furthering her true identity as Daenerys Targaryen. This is why, when she does try to squash (or chain) her identity in A Dance with Dragons, the results are emotionally disastrous and uncomfortable for her. In other words, where Arya embodies, Dany plays.
Finally, I want to discuss the idea of emotional touchstones as markers of identity for both characters and how they might be the saving grace for Dany and Arya.
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