The amount of authority a woman had depended solely on society. Power was sorted among two divisions, the public and private sphere. The public sphere was considered to be the domain of men. The men had authority over the market, politics, and legal rights and obligations. Then there was the private or domestic sphere which categorized women, mothers, and families into this group. Women were considered to be the caretakers of their households and responsible for familial obligations. Society's goals for women during these times was to please their husbands and children. With this being said, one may think that men could only attain power. Yes, power was limited for women, but not completely. It could be attained through certain circumstances, such as inheritance of land or marriage. This is apparent in George R.R. Martin's A Game of Throne. In a patriarchal society, Dany is a submissive female character. However, she finds a way to claim power through marriage. Whether it be self-interest or not, it was the only way.
Dany, a young thirteen year old girl, is used as a pawn in her brother's power hungry game. Her brother, Viserys, prepares her to be presented to Khal in hopes of marrying her off. Indeed, all went well. Surprisingly, the marriage forms a bridge of independence from the abusive experiences Dany encounters with her brother/guardian. He was a "waking dragon" who often breathed fire and placed his anger on his younger sister. He threatens her, he spits out, "Do you want to wake the dragon, do you?" (29). He tightens her nipple as he evokes fear in her. She responds obediently with a no "meekly" (29). Once married, throughout the book Dany gains confidence slowly. Later within the novel her confidence is displayed in her thoughts and actions. From an obedient and helpless girl under the care of her brother, Dany realizes "that she did not want to listen to any of her brother's complaints" (227). With her marriage, she has gained power that led her to live a healthier life style.
I wrote on a very similar topic and I do agree that Dany gained power through her marriage. I also think it would have been important to mention that she was safely separated from her abusive brother, and I think that had a lot to do with her spike in self confidence. One thing I am kind of confused about is that you said women could gain power through inheriting land and through marriage. I think you are right in some instances. I think in Dany's case she did gain power but keep in mind that it was an arranged marriage and if it hadn't turned out well there is nothing she could have really done about it. I also didn't know that women could inherit land, I have never heard that. I always assumed that they couldn't. What I am wondering is do you think Dany is just a special case or do you think that most women were able to be empowered through their marriage?
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