Arthur had Merlin. Bilbo had Gandalf. And Luke Skywalker had Obi-Wan Kenobi. But contrary to popular belief, Mentors do not only come in the form of a wizard. In fact, creators continue to find new ways to introduce this archetype with Mickey Goldmill (Rocky), Morpheus (The Matrix), and Harry Morgan (Dexter) serving as just a small selection of examples.
In Game of Thrones, the young Arya Stark is exposed to a number of different Mentors over the course of her development. Like Dexter Morgan, Arya was also raised by a father figure that instilled in her a strong moral code. Lord Eddard Stark led by example, and like Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben, also appeared to believe that with great power also comes great responsibility. Meanwhile, it is Arya’s half-brother, Jon Snow, who bestows upon her the beloved sword that she will go on to dub “Needle.” The sword, designed specifically for Arya’s smaller stature, is a representation of the love and support Jon gives Arya in spite of her preference to use a needle as a weapon than for sewing. When Eddard catches his daughter with her new gift, he does not take it from her and demand she act more lady-like, but instead helps her follow her bliss by introducing her to a prolific swordsman by the name of Syrio Forel.
Like her family, Syrio also helps teach Arya a number of valuable life lessons which she will apply moving forward. Even the fighting style that he teaches Arya is incredibly applicable towards life (not to mention reminiscent of the lessons taught by masters of many ancient, Asian religions). Syrio trains Arya in a sword fighting style known as the Water Dance, which, like her sword, is perfectly suited for somebody of her size. This style encourages the fighter to apply a more “go-with-the-flow” stream of maneuvers during combat that creates greater opportunities to deliver a devastating blow as soon as the opportunity presents itself. As do all great Zen masters, Syrio also encourages “mindfulness”, and explains to Arya at one point, “If you’re with your trouble when fighting happens, more trouble for you.” Syrio also informs Arya of the importance of being as swift as a deer, as fierce as a wolverine, and as quiet as a shadow. The need to acclimate all of these different attributes will be incredibly helpful to Arya as she attempts to survive The Road of Trials ahead.
Among the reasons why Arya is among the most interesting characters in the A Song of Ice and Fire books and the Game of Thrones television series is the juxtaposition between she and a number of the Mentors with whom she encounters. Exclusive to the HBO adaption of A Song of Ice and Fire is the relationship between Arya and the ruthless Tywin Lannister, to whom she serves as a cupbearer for a short time at Harrenhal. This position not only exposes her to the types of conversations that take place by councils behind closed doors, but also provides her with the insight of a man considered among the most powerful in all the seven kingdoms. In both the original books as well as the television series, Arya also spends time journeying across Westeros with a man she once vowed to kill, Sandor Clegane. A large and skilled warrior known as “the Hound”, Sandor is a vicious man who admits he finds joy in killing. But while Sandor and Arya may appear to be complete opposites of one another, as their relationship develops, they each find one another gaining a better understanding and even appreciation for the other.
It may be in Jaqen H’ghar, however, that Arya finds the greatest personification of what Syrio meant when encouraging the young girl to be “swift as a deer”, “fierce as a wolverine”, and “quiet as a shadow.” A prisoner freed by Arya in an act of compassion, Jaqen offers to repay her by assassinating any three people of her choosing. In the television series, Arya cleverly turns her third request into a much taller order for Jaqen that requires him to slay a number of men guarding the exit to Harrenhal so that she and her companions can escape. When Jaqen offers Arya the chance to further her training with him in Braavos, she is extremely interested but not ready to leave behind her remaining family. It isn’t until being stripped of everyone and everything (hence being released of all attachments) that Arya is ready to make the venture across the Narrow Sea.
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