Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of more than 90 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.

“intriguing anecdotes...thoroughly researched and impressively analyzed...highly recommended”—Library Journal; “pays full homage to the complex vision and plot mastering mind of its creator, George R.R. Martin”—Midwest Book Review; “a thought-provoking read. Anyone who is a fan of the novel series or show should read it to get an interesting perspective that is backed up with convincing evidence”—Against the Grain.

• Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I: Controversial Issues in the SeriesGratuitous Sex?RapeMale GazeFake Lesbian ScenesRaceIndependent Action versus Acting for OthersPart II: Exploring Archetypes and TropesFemale ArchetypesThe Strong FemalesThe Warrior Woman ArchetypeThe Warrior: Arya and BrienneThe Bodyguard: Osha and MeeraThe Pirate: Asha/YaraThe Career Woman: TalisaThe ­Warrior-AnimaThe Feminized FemalesWidows and Mothers: The Chatelaines and Queen ConsortsMaidens: The Innocent, the Orphan, and the Femme FataleThe ProstitutesThe CronesThe SeersTricksters: The Sand SnakesGreat Goddess: The Heart TreesMonstrous Woman: StoneheartThe Hero Queen: DaenerysPart III: Gender Roles in WesterosWomen in WesterosMen in the Gender Biased SystemWomen Despise Men by Despising WomenMen’s Attitudes Toward WomenFan ReactionsConclusionAppendix 1. CastAppendix 2. Episode ListAppendix 3. ArchetypesWorks CitedIndex

Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of more than 90 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.

“intriguing anecdotes...thoroughly researched and impressively analyzed...highly recommended”—Library Journal; “pays full homage to the complex vision and plot mastering mind of its creator, George R.R. Martin”—Midwest Book Review; “a thought-provoking read. Anyone who is a fan of the novel series or show should read it to get an interesting perspective that is backed up with convincing evidence”—Against the Grain.

• Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I: Controversial Issues in the SeriesGratuitous Sex?RapeMale GazeFake Lesbian ScenesRaceIndependent Action versus Acting for OthersPart II: Exploring Archetypes and TropesFemale ArchetypesThe Strong FemalesThe Warrior Woman ArchetypeThe Warrior: Arya and BrienneThe Bodyguard: Osha and MeeraThe Pirate: Asha/YaraThe Career Woman: TalisaThe ­Warrior-AnimaThe Feminized FemalesWidows and Mothers: The Chatelaines and Queen ConsortsMaidens: The Innocent, the Orphan, and the Femme FataleThe ProstitutesThe CronesThe SeersTricksters: The Sand SnakesGreat Goddess: The Heart TreesMonstrous Woman: StoneheartThe Hero Queen: DaenerysPart III: Gender Roles in WesterosWomen in WesterosMen in the Gender Biased SystemWomen Despise Men by Despising WomenMen’s Attitudes Toward WomenFan ReactionsConclusionAppendix 1. CastAppendix 2. Episode ListAppendix 3. ArchetypesWorks CitedIndex

Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of more than 90 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.

“intriguing anecdotes...thoroughly researched and impressively analyzed...highly recommended”—Library Journal; “pays full homage to the complex vision and plot mastering mind of its creator, George R.R. Martin”—Midwest Book Review; “a thought-provoking read. Anyone who is a fan of the novel series or show should read it to get an interesting perspective that is backed up with convincing evidence”—Against the Grain.

• Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I: Controversial Issues in the SeriesGratuitous Sex?RapeMale GazeFake Lesbian ScenesRaceIndependent Action versus Acting for OthersPart II: Exploring Archetypes and TropesFemale ArchetypesThe Strong FemalesThe Warrior Woman ArchetypeThe Warrior: Arya and BrienneThe Bodyguard: Osha and MeeraThe Pirate: Asha/YaraThe Career Woman: TalisaThe ­Warrior-AnimaThe Feminized FemalesWidows and Mothers: The Chatelaines and Queen ConsortsMaidens: The Innocent, the Orphan, and the Femme FataleThe ProstitutesThe CronesThe SeersTricksters: The Sand SnakesGreat Goddess: The Heart TreesMonstrous Woman: StoneheartThe Hero Queen: DaenerysPart III: Gender Roles in WesterosWomen in WesterosMen in the Gender Biased SystemWomen Despise Men by Despising WomenMen’s Attitudes Toward WomenFan ReactionsConclusionAppendix 1. CastAppendix 2. Episode ListAppendix 3. ArchetypesWorks CitedIndex