A content analysis on the importance of honor and family according to George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones

Abstract

This study is a content analysis entitled, The Importance of Honor and Family according to George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones. A Game of Thrones is the first book in A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of high fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin. It was first published on 6 August 1996; won the 1997 Locus Award and the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novella. In January 2011, the novel became a New York Times bestseller and reached number one on the list in July 2011. The novel comprises the first season of a television series of a similar name created by HBO, which premiered on April 17, 2011. The novel was analyzed based on its main characters, the values of Honor and Family of the characters, the importance with which they place upon said values as reflected on their decisions and actions, their experiences, religion, tradition and surroundings. Moral Approach was the theoretical basis of the study and the use of the Rokeach Value Survey was employed to properly outline and emphasize the importance of Honor and Family to said characters. It has been concluded that Family is the unit responsible for shaping the individual, and that Honor, defined as a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability, grounds and thereby guides said individual into choosing the right choices as productive, sensible and responsible members of society.