Me is mad. Me is really, really pissed. I just stumbled over this article that discusses why girls hate Game of Thrones. Oh, wait, you're a girl that likes Game of Thrones? I'm sorry. I don't think you're entitled to that opinion. Are you sure you don't want to rethink that? Because according to the article, this show is not for you.
The thing is, I have recently developed an obsession with Game of Thrones. It's very unusual for me to watch the adaptation before the actual book, but alas, it happened. I do plan on reading the books soon however. Ok, so back to the article. This particular article infuriated me. The idea that there are simple rules as to why our gender might hate a certain work of art is ridiculous. Whatever happened to tastes? Why do you mix personal tastes with genders? Here's an insightful example:
It’s hard to follow. Brilliantly developed storylines are great, but whipping out a dry erase board and Venn diagrams to figure it all out isn’t our idea of a good time. Unless we’re talking about soap operas. Those are perfectly fine.
I hear ya! I mean, being the silly woman I am, I couldn't really understand why they're all bitching about. I mean guyzzz, seriously, can any other woman tell the difference between Tywin, Tyrion, and Tyrell? Ofcourse not! It's so goddamn confusing for us handicapped, retarded women. Why don't they like, explain everything in subtitles? Ugh, so hard. My brain go mush.
On a more serious notion, though. The fuck? You think that is why a woman might not like a certain TV show? Because it's oh so complicated? I don't need to point out how misogynistic this is. Matter of fact, I don't need to elaborate on that point any more. I mean, for all I know, all that thinking might cause fumes to come out of my little teenie weenie brain.
We hate gross things. Know what’s gross? Screwing your sibling.
No, you hate gross things. And that's completely fine, but don't generalize. I wouldn't recommend this TV show to some of my friends, and not because they're girls, but because I know the gory scenes might disturb them. For example, I doubt my brother would make it through one episode. He hates watching gory scenes. I, on the other hand, don't really mind. It's not a reason to turn me off from watching the show. It doesn't bother me as much as it bothers others. And while we are on that note, the notion that girls get frightened/grossed out easily is not entirely true. Do you have any idea the amount of crap women have to go through?
And now on tips on how to make us like Game of Thrones:
Tell us about the romantic crap. Yes, latch onto that one fraction of a second in that one episode that made her go “awwww.”
Yes, because normally that's all what we care about. Matter of fact, I don't remember any thing about the show expect that one time Robb Stark was being extra romantic. I was about to go "aaawwww" but then there was this stupid war over some ugly ass thrones. I mean, the throne is like what, a hundred years old? Ewwww, I wouldn't fight over that!
I wonder if whoever wrote this article actually has any touch with reality. While going through my friend's reviews, I always find the part that they hated the most in a book was the romance. It's true, romance is appreciated, and that's why a lot of books "aimed" at women revolve around romantic relationships. But again, why the generalization? If this was a romance-centered series, I don't think it would have held my attention. I like the war aspect more, and I'm sure others do. Plus, who said Game of Thrones doesn't have romance? Oh right, it's because romance is downplayed, and again our teenie weenie brain wouldn't be able to detect it. I wonder if I should write to HBO about that subtitles thingie.
There's more reasons to make you want to pull your hair out, but I'm done with that. The entire article doesn't make sense. But here's the thing, this isn't just about Game of Thrones. Even in the book world, you find genres like chick lit. I can spend days explaining why I hate this term and how degrading it is. The idea that women are only interested in one genre of literature which tadaaaa is all about romance is ridiculous. Literature is for everyone. If a guy wants to read a Nic Sparks book, he shouldn't ask the bookselller where the "chick lit" section is. True, that story was written and aimed at women, but by referring to the genre by what can only mean "women only" limits anyone who wants to actually read that genre. Acutally, there was this one article I read about how a book was marketed as "Game of Thrones for Girls." Soon after, Leigh Bardugo tweeted this:
I couldn't agree more. We don't need a modified version of Game of Thrones that suits our "needs", because we don't have the same interests. If you think marketing a book "for girls" will result in all girls liking said books then you're sorely mistaken. We are not a cut out board, all functioning the same way and liking the same things. Believe it or not, just like men, we fancy different things.
If you need another example, author Maureen Johnson tweeted how many guys ask her to put a non-girly cover on her books so they can read it. She responded by saying that authors have no say whatsoever as to what goes on the cover of their books. Marketing tends to put a "certain" type of covers for female-written books. She later encouraged people to do alternate covers for books, had the gender of the author been different. Guess what, here's an imagination of Game of Thrones, written by Goergette R. Martin
If you need another example, author Maureen Johnson tweeted how many guys ask her to put a non-girly cover on her books so they can read it. She responded by saying that authors have no say whatsoever as to what goes on the cover of their books. Marketing tends to put a "certain" type of covers for female-written books. She later encouraged people to do alternate covers for books, had the gender of the author been different. Guess what, here's an imagination of Game of Thrones, written by Goergette R. Martin
You can read the full thing at CuddleBuggery.
In the end, I'm a girl. I love Game of Thrones, and you sure as hell don't get to tell me what I like and what I don't. Also, I like playing football.
Love it! I too am a huge fan of Game of Thrones, and guess what? I'm a female too! Go figure... I also love horror and action flicks... And can throw a perfect spiral :) I didn't know whether to be offended by the other article or just laugh at the stupidity... Just, wow...
I don't understand how someone can post such an article! I'm so glad you're a fellow lover of Game of Thrones. It's amazing, and the amount of strong female leads in it is great too!
Thanks for stopping by Keely! ;)
Thank you for this, I couldn´t agree more! I lovelovelove Game of Thrones, and... wait for it... IM A GIRL! Hehe
Love from Sweden
There shouldn't be any limitations on who reads what. I love Game of Thrones myself.
Thanks for stopping by Anna <3
As a die-hard fan of Game of Thrones (can I actually say that? I will say it anyway), I can feel your anger. Multiplied. Just because there's blood and ripped guts and incest doesn't mean the tender gender (it rhymes) will be repelled by it. Some of us have warrior blood. We can handle it. I really hate it when one woman speaks for all when it comes to something like this. I'll have her know (whoever she is) I know who Tywin is, I know who Tyrion is and Tyrell is a last name. Just because she's the girliest form of a girly girl doesn't mean we all are. I'd watch Game of Thrones over any chick flick. I admit I thought it was dumb at first, but my mother made me watch a couple of episodes (yes, my mother can handle gory bits, too) and I liked it.
And, totally unrelated, DAMN IT I MISS DROGO! (Sorry : D)
Of course you can be a die hard fan! Having a hard stomach has nothing to do with being a 'lady'. Like you said, some of us have warrior blood. The part that infuriated me the most is that she said we won't like the show because it's so complicated. The misogyny! As if we need everything laid out in front of us to understand! The fact that a woman wrote this is beyond me.
I'd watch Game of Thrones over a chick flick too! I don't like chick flick anyway, and Game of Thrones has very strong female characters! Speaking of which, I was just thinking about Khal Drogo!! I hated his guts at first, but the man's fierce and brave. Daenerys is my favourite character, along with Tyrion.
I love your comments, Eve! Always entertaining!
Wow, Reem, I can't believe I just found this post, but I'm glad I did. What a great rant! That article sounds completely ridiculous and sexist. I can't decide if I even want to bother reading it, ugh. I don't think I really have much to add (you hit all the points very well), but yes, I agree!
It's annoying how someone could even think of posting such an article. A lot of blogs complained about it too. It didn't just annoy the Game of Thrones fans, but everyone! Like you said, it's completely sexist and makes a ridiculous stereotype of women.
Thanks for stopping by Kelley! ;)
I've just stumbled upon this post upon exploring your blog, Reem. And though I haven't read the series yet--but I already have the five books--, I can totally relate with you in another aspect. I've grown up basically told by a lot of relatives and even my parents that I should do things aimed for women. Any deviation would earn me either raised eyebrows or a pursed lips. But what the heck, I've already learned a long time ago that I am my own me and no one can stop me from doing the things that I want, whether it's for boys or for girls. I even liked men's clothes and if you ever see me in person, you might think that I'm a lesbo for wearing baggy pants and men's shirt. But jeez, I like wearing them because they are more sensible than those frilly girly shirts and are more comfortable.
And no, I haven't yet read George's GoT and it would take me a long time to decide whether to read it or not. It's not because it has plenty of gory stuff but it's because George Martin has a reputation of killing off characters that you've grown to love. And I don't think I can bear that kind of heartache. I love battle scenes, I love the heroes being put in an underdog situations, I love cold blooded killings but killing off my favorite characters? no way!
Thoughts and Pens
I totally agree! I think people expect women (and men!) to behave in a certain way just because we fall into that gender. Not only is that limiting, but outright ridiculous! We're not machines that operate in the same way, we are humans and we have a right to dress,act,and behave in any way we see fit. I can actually relate to you having to deal with people's objection to your lifestyle. My parents still want to to act lady like, which leads to a lot of arguments.
I haven't read GoT, and to be honest, I'm a little bit intimidated of doing so. It a looooong series, and I'm not sure if Ill like it as much as the tv show. But yeah, I don't mind killing off the main character. It adds suspense and realism to the story!
Thanks so much for stopping by Charlotte!
Hahaha. You are one tough lady, Reem. :D
Hahaha, thank you! :D