A Game of Thrones, Chapter 5, Jon
Summary
Everyone in Winterfell attends the great feast. Jon is situated far away from the trueborn children and enjoying the rare moments when being a bastard is a blessing. With no one to watch him he gets drunk on the summerwine. Jon asks Benjen Stark, who arrived from the Wall just for the feast, to take him when he’s leaving Winterfell. He wants to join the Night’s Watch. Jon becomes angry when Ben refuses. He makes a scene and leaves the feast. Outside Jon meets Tyrion Lannister, the Imp. Jon doesn’t want to admit it, but there is a bond building between the two rejects.
Quotes
“Let me give you some counsel, bastard,” Lannister said. “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not.”
Commentary
In this chapter we’re following Jon, Ned Stark’s bastard. Again he’s alienated, seated far away from his half-brothers and sisters. He knows that Catelyn was afraid that his presence could offend the royal family.
Jon gets drunk and his true feelings float to the surface when he speaks to Benjen Stark. He wants to be more than a bastard and he thinks that joining Night’s Watch is better than being in the House where every day reminds him that he’s not as good as his siblings. In anger he lets his guard down and shows how he feels about bastards.
Tags: Jon
