A Game of Thrones, Chapter 19, Jon
Summary
Jon practices swordplay under the eye of Ser Alister Thorne. He’s mercilessly beating boys sent against him, even the ones older and stronger than him. The other boys hate him and call him Lord Snow, a nickname Ser Alister gave him. After the practice four bigger boys come to bully Jon, they call his mother a whore, Jon starts a fight. All this is interrupted by old smith, Donal Noye, who then gives Jon a hard speech about getting along with his new brothers or sleeping with a dagger near his bed.
Quotes
“The bastard hamstrung you, opened your empty skull, and cut off your hand.
Or would have, if these blades had an edge. It’s fortunate for you that the Watch needs stableboys as well as rangers.”
“Lord Snow wants to take my place now.” He sneered. “I’d have an easier time teaching a wolf to juggle than you will training this aurochs.”
“I’ll take that wager, Ser Alliser,” Jon said. “I’d love to see Ghost juggle.”
Commentary
Another stage of transformation. Jon is finding out that life on the Wall is much more difficult than he had thought. He is surprised that in Castle Black Benjen Stark is no longer his uncle, he’s the First Ranger and he will treat Jon just like everyone else. Whatever Jon wants to accomplish, he needs to earn it. Jon is bitter, he hates the world and he hates the people, who didn’t tell him what life on the Wall really was.
On top of that Jon seems to have made enemy of pretty much everyone around. The new recruits hate him because he was raised with noble born children and even though he’s younger and weaker, he’s undefeated with the sword in hand. His new master of arms, Ser Alister, hates him, although that doesn’t say much, because he hates everyone. Jon is miserable.
Tags: Jon
