if arya is only considered pretty when she conforms, does that mean all gnc people in westeros are considered ugly? are they not considered attractive in our world (talking abt things like hollywood and modelling industry) and if they’re all unattractive to westerosi, why does arya get called pretty when she conforms but when brienne conforms (asos) she’s still ugly? and if it’s bc brienne is objectively ugly how do they even determine it if arya is a tomboy (ugly) and brienne once wanted to be a lady (beautiful )? sorry im thinking about this a lot and have none to talk to and i just wanted to ask you
Arya is only considered pretty when she conforms
Yes, most of the explicit compliments on her appearance are made when she is gender conforming = clean and in a dress (at Acorn Hall and the Peach). Yet there are also a couple of positive comments made when she was simply herself (by Eddard and the Kindly man).
BUT I ask you, when else should she have received compliments on her look? Arya spends most of her time on page looking like a malnourished, dirty, flea-ridden, rag-wearing child with a bad haircut. It goes without saying that she gets positive comments mostly when she is clean and well dressed.
Does that mean all gnc people in westeros are considered ugly?
No, on top of my head: Asha, Dacey, Meera, Lyanna, Visenya, Baela, Black Aly. None of them is considered ugly and they don't lack westerosi admirers.
Daenerys is extremely beautiful, but she's not the most gender conforming girl out there.
Are they (gnc people?) not considered attractive in our world (talking abt things like hollywood and modeling industry)?
It depends on who you ask. I consider gnc people attractive. Some trad guy will look at a man in a dress or a woman with short hair and think they're ugly/ridiculous.
While most "today" people wouldn't even take note of a woman in pants, for a Westerosi this is super gnc. “Our world” is not a gender blind utopia, BUT it's doesn't have the super strict gender roles of Westeros.
If they're (gnc people?) all unattractive to westerosi, why does arya get called pretty when she conforms but when brienne conforms (asos) she's still ugly?
Because Arya is just a girl with a slightly long face shape, typical of her family.
Brienne on the other hand is a freakishly tall woman, muscular, flat-chested, covered in freckles, teeth crooked… to a trad westerosi guy that looks like a man in a dress.
and if it’s bc brienne is objectively ugly how do they (westrosi?) even determine it if arya is a tomboy (ugly) and brienne once wanted to be a lady (beautiful )?
Not sure I understand the question. Being considered ugly is not only about how you dress or act. Sure it plays a role, but the way your face and body look usually do too. Because they are not so easy to change, especially in a world that hasn’t invented cosmetic surgery yet.
