#i usually dont like writing meta posts like this bc it makes me nervous about my knowledge but

[from-ib-to-asshai]

People talk about a lot about the tragedy of the Stark family -- which mind you is absolutely fair what happens to them is horrible -- but in my eyes the most tragic family we see in asoiaf has to be the Greyjoys, just because of how inherent their tragedy is. Unlike the Starks, they did not start off happy in a secure home, well respected by the rest of Westeros. From the first moment we see them in the story they’re all struggling in one way or another due to all the trauma they’ve experienced thats either intergenerational, due to the Greyjoy Rebellion, due to the actions of other family members or due to how in general they are treated by the rest of Westeros.

All the Greyjoys we encounter seem to feel this need to prove themselves, or excel or gain power in some shape or form, like they’re all scraping at the walls of this hole they find themselves at the bottom of -- a hole that only seems to get deeper as the books go on. Their wish to prove themselves usually comes from two places; to prove themselves to other family members or to prove themselves to Westeros.

The Starks show us the horrible fate this family suffered from when they left their homes and were separated from each other. And whilst things were never perfect for them, they all yearn to return to Winterfell and their family. 

House Greyjoy (it would feel weird to call them a family) are splintered apart from day one. The horrible things that happen to them don’t happen because they f.e. left home or are apart, they come from the inherent tragedy of being a Greyjoy, and how that affects and defines their actions across the series that lead them to their predicaments.

Which is why, other than the Starks, where we have the feeling that this all was avoidable and are biting our nails at every corner hoping they will make the right choice, the fall of the Greyjoys seems almost inevitable at times -- and therein lies, imo, the tragedy.

#sorry if this is stupid and doesnt make any sense skffkkslfmksskk #i usually dont like writing meta posts like this bc it makes me nervous about my knowledge but #here you go #house greyjoy is just so interesting to me because i have no idea how the story will end for them overall as a house #like certain things im sure about #like fe victarion dying or theon living yk just your usual theories #but as a house overall??? and the iron islands in general??? #their also probs the most interesting region in westeros culturally to me #like they have all these customs and cultural aspects the mainland seems to be lacking in diversity #these guys actually feel like a wholly unique culture #ok anyways sorry for rambling #i hope theres at least a semblance of truth in this #asoiaf #A Song of Ice and Fire #valyrianscrolls #house greyjoy #house stark #theon greyjoy #aeron greyjoy #euron greyjoy #balon greyjoy #asha greyjoy #victarion greyjoy #ironborn #the iron islands #meta post