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A Clash of Critics - Scholarly Criticism About A Song of Ice and Fire

A Clash of Critics - Scholarly Criticism About A Song of Ice and Fire

By Trope Watchers

Welcome to A Clash of Critics, your scholarly podcast about George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire.
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Understanding Genre in A Song of Ice and Fire (Eddard IV, AGoT)

A Clash of Critics - Scholarly Criticism About A Song of Ice and FireJul 21, 2021

00:00
33:56
Romantic and Barbaric Medievalism in A Song of Ice and Fire (Sansa II, AGoT)

Romantic and Barbaric Medievalism in A Song of Ice and Fire (Sansa II, AGoT)

In this episode we are joined by special guest Dr Shiloh Carroll to chat about medievalism in A Song of Ice and Fire, and explore how Sansa II sets up Martin's ideas about "romantic" vs "barbaric" medievalism. You can find Shiloh at shilohcarroll.wordpress.com and on Twitter @medievalismish. Shiloh's book Medievalism in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones is available now.   Mentioned in this episode: Carroll, S., 2018. Medievalism in a Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones (Vol. 12). Boydell & Brewer. Eco, U. 1973, Travels in Hyperreality. Trans. William Weaver. Harcourt, San Diego. Pugh, T. and A.J. Weisl. 2013, Medievalisms: Making the Past in the Present. Routledge, New York NotACast PodCast. 2018, “A Game of Thrones, Sansa II: ‘Better than the Songs.’” https://notacastasoiaf.podbean.com/e/episode-29-a-game-of-thrones-sansa-ii-better-than-the-songs-with-special-guest-chloe-aka-liesandarbor/  Young, Helen. 2012, ““‘It’s the Middle Ages, Yo!’: Race, Neo/medievalisms, and the World of Dragon Age.” Year’s Work in Medievalism 27 Young, Helen. 2016, Race and Popular Fantasy Literature: Habits of Whiteness. Routledge, New York Ferreday, D., 2015. Game of Thrones, rape culture and feminist fandom. Australian Feminist Studies, 30(83), pp.21-36.   You can support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/tropewatchers. If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com. CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Sep 14, 202141:44
"Sleepy with Wine and Tired of Doom": Slum Tourism at the Wall (Tyrion III, AGoT)

"Sleepy with Wine and Tired of Doom": Slum Tourism at the Wall (Tyrion III, AGoT)

In this episode, we consider how Tyrion engages in a type of "tourism" in his visit to the wall.

Mentioned in this episode:

Frenzel, F., Koens, K. and Steinbrink, M. eds., 2012. Slum tourism: Poverty, power and ethics. Routledge.


You can support us on Patreon at
www.patreon.com/tropewatchers.
If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com.
CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Aug 19, 202125:14
Understanding Genre in A Song of Ice and Fire (Eddard IV, AGoT)
Jul 21, 202133:56
"Lord Snow'": Class, Privilege and Ideology (Jon III, AGoT)

"Lord Snow'": Class, Privilege and Ideology (Jon III, AGoT)

In this episode we dip our toes into Marxist theory to chat about Jon's class privilege at the Wall.   Mentioned in this episode: Althusser, L, 1990. 'Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses' (1971), in Sharma, A., & Gupta, A. (Eds.). The anthropology of the state: a reader. John Wiley & Sons Marx, K. and Engels, F., 1970. The German Ideology (1846). International Publishers Co.   You can support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/tropewatchers. If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com. CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Jul 07, 202140:15
The Place-Making of King's Landing (Cat IV, AGoT)

The Place-Making of King's Landing (Cat IV, AGoT)

In this episode we discuss the introduction of a very important "character" in A Song of Ice and Fire: King's Landing.    Mentioned in this episode: Sertan Saral's episode of Trope Watchers: https://tropewatchers.podbean.com/e/military-tropes-in-star-wars-and-battlestar-galactica/ Massey, D., 2013. Space, place and gender. John Wiley & Sons. Williams, R., 2016. Resources of hope: Culture, democracy, socialism. Verso Books.   You can support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/tropewatchers. If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com. CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Jun 23, 202133:31
The Literary Coma (Bran III, AGoT)
Jun 09, 202133:22
On the Symbolism and Killability of Animals (Sansa I & Eddard III, AGoT)
Dec 22, 202043:50
Gender and Grief: ‘Right’ Ways of Mourning (Catelyn III, AGoT)
Dec 15, 202033:28
Taking the Black: Restorative Justice and the Night’s Watch (Tyrion II, AGoT)
Dec 08, 202036:12
Calculating Innocence Versus Threat: A Philosophy of Oathkeeping (Eddard II, AGoT)
Dec 02, 202049:36
Essos and the Orient: Dothraki Weddings and Desert Romances (Daenerys II, AGoT)

Essos and the Orient: Dothraki Weddings and Desert Romances (Daenerys II, AGoT)

In this episode we discuss how the culturally familiar event of the wedding is used to 'Other' the Dothraki in Daenerys II.

Mentioned in this episode:
Said, E.W. 1979, Orientalism, Vintage.
Not a Cast Podcast (Episode 12: A GAME OF THRONES, DAENERYS II: “Forgetting to be Afraid”):
notacastasoiaf.podbean.com/e/episode-12-a-game-of-thrones-daenerys-ii-forgetting-to-be-afraid/
Race for the Iron Throne (Daenerys II Analysis): racefortheironthrone.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/chapter-by-chapter-analysis-daenerys-ii/
Hardy, M. 2017, "The Eastern Question," Game of Thrones versus History: Written in Blood.
"Pentoshi Honey Duck w/ orange snap peppers" recipe: www.innatthecrossroads.com/pentoshi-honey-duck-worange-snap-peppers/
"Dothraki Blood Pie" recipe: www.innatthecrossroads.com/dothraki-blood-pie/
The Sheik (1919) by E.M. Hull

You can support us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/tropewatchers.
If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com.
CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Nov 24, 202040:12
Female Masculinity: On Tomboys and Gender Outlaws (Jon II, AGoT)

Female Masculinity: On Tomboys and Gender Outlaws (Jon II, AGoT)

In this episode we are joined by special guest Dr Tobi Evans to chat about Arya and female masculinity in Jon II. You can find Tobi at likedrkarlbutqueerer.wordpress.com/ or follow them on Twitter @DrTobiEvans.

Mentioned in this episode:
Halberstam, J. 1998, Female masculinity, Duke University Press.
"Brienne and Arya: gender outlaws" (by Lo): lothelynx.wordpress.com/2020/08/27/brienne-and-arya-gender-outlaws/
Carroll, S. 2018, Medievalism in a Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones, DS Brewer.
Not a Cast Podcast (Episode 8: A GAME OF THRONES, ARYA I “Needlework”): notacastasoiaf.podbean.com/e/episode-8-a-game-of-thrones-arya-i-needlework/
Evans, T. 2019, "Some Knights are Dark and Full of Terror: The Queer Monstrous Feminine, Masculinity, and Violence in the Martinverse," Journal of Language, Literature and Culture, vol. 66, no. 3, pp.134–156.

Also check out Jack Halberstam's blog post on Arya and Brienne in S8 of Game of Thrones: bullybloggers.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/a-knight-of-a-thousand-butches-by-jack-halberstam/

You can support us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/tropewatchers.
If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com.
CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Nov 17, 202001:05:35
Fan Fiction in the World of Ice and Fire: Who Is an Author and Are They Dead?

Fan Fiction in the World of Ice and Fire: Who Is an Author and Are They Dead?

This episode is the first in a series of special episodes on fandom in the world of ice and fire. This episode focuses on fan fiction and how we imagine the relationship between the author and the text. Mentioned in this episode: Jenkins, H. 2009, Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media education for the 21st century, MIT Press. #NewPalmyra: https://newpalmyra.org/  Barthes, R. 1968, The death of the author. Foucault, M. 1969, What is an author? (Lecture at the Collège de France). Daniel Radcliffe on J. K. Rowling: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2020/06/08/daniel-radcliffe-responds-to-j-k-rowlings-tweets-on-gender-identity/  Witch Please podcast: http://ohwitchplease.ca  "George RR Martin on Why He Hates Fan Fiction": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5g9-pfIImw&feature=youtu.be "George R.R. Martin: The Rolling Stone Interview": https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/george-r-r-martin-the-rolling-stone-interview-242487/  Fathallah, J. 2016, "Statements and silence: fanfic paratexts for ASOIAF/Game of Thrones," Continuum, 30(1), pp.75-88.   You can support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/tropewatchers. If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com. CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Nov 10, 202057:02
Constructing Normalcy in Westeros (Tyrion I, AGoT)
Nov 03, 202037:28
Boyhood (Bran II, AGoT)
Oct 27, 202035:26
Family and Legitimacy as a Construct (Jon I, Catelyn II, & Arya I, AGoT)

Family and Legitimacy as a Construct (Jon I, Catelyn II, & Arya I, AGoT)

In this episode we think about "legitimacy" in family units as a social, legal, and moral construct.

Mentioned in this episode:
Finn, M., Lobban, M., Taylor, J.B. and Taylor, J.B. (eds.) 2010, Legitimacy and illegitimacy in nineteenth-century law, literature and history, Springer.
Safire, W. 1985, "On Language; Unwed Words," The New York Times Magazine.
www.nytimes.com/1985/08/11/magazine/on-language-unwed-words.html
Liedl, J. 2017, "Rocking Cradles and Hatching Dragons: Parents in Game of Thrones," in B.A. Pavlac (ed.) Game of Thrones versus History: Written in Blood, Wiley Blackwell.

You can support us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/tropewatchers.
If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com.
CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Oct 20, 202055:05
Homosociality, Grief, and Love Between Men (Eddard I, AGoT)

Homosociality, Grief, and Love Between Men (Eddard I, AGoT)

In this episode we return to Foucault to explore the love between Ned and Robert as a form of queer intimacy, as well as the grief they share over Lyanna's death.   Mentioned in this episode: Sedgwick, E.K. 2015, Between men: English literature and male homosocial desire, Columbia university press. "Friendship as a Way of Life" (interview with Michael Foucault in Le Gai Pied magazine in 1981, translated by John Johnston). Ben-Hur 1951 (film). Directed by William Wyler. The Celluloid Closet (documentary film). Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Faderman, L. 1981, Surpassing the love of men : romantic friendship and love between women from the Renaissance to the present,  William Morrow & Company. Not a Cast Podcast (Episode 5: A GAME OF THRONES, EDDARD I: “This is Her Place”): https://notacastasoiaf.podbean.com/e/episode-5-a-game-of-thrones-eddard-i-this-is-her-place/  Till, K.E. 2005, The New Berlin Memory, Politics, Place, University of Minnesota Press.   You can support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/tropewatchers. If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com. CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Oct 13, 202039:55
Homes and Homelands (Catelyn I & Daenerys I, AGoT)
Oct 06, 202050:50
Sovereign Power and Punishment as Spectacle (Bran I, AGoT)
Sep 29, 202044:24
Zombies as Metaphor: Climate Change and the Long Night (Prologue, AGoT)

Zombies as Metaphor: Climate Change and the Long Night (Prologue, AGoT)

In this episode, we tackle the Prologue chapter of A Game of Thrones through the lens of the zombie-as-metaphor. We address some of the most pervasive interpretations of the Others in the fandom and ask more broadly: what can metaphors in fiction do?Mentioned in this episode:
George R. R. Martin on the climate change metaphor:
www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/1034790/Game-of-Thrones-George-RR-Martin-Night-King-White-Wakers-climate-change-Fire-and-Blood
Not A Podcast ASOIAF Re-Read Podcast (https://notacastasoiaf.podbean.com)
Doyle, J. 2011, Mediating climate change, Ashgate Publishing, Burlington.
Sheppard, S.R. 2012, Visualizing climate change: a guide to visual communication of climate change and developing local solutions, Routledge.

Rutherford, J. 2013, Zombies, Routledge, London and New York.


You can support us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/tropewatchers.
If you enjoyed A Clash of Critics, check out our flagship podcast, Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters: tropewatchers.com.
CW: A Clash of Critics frequently discusses issues such as violence, abuse, sexual assault, bigotry, and other sensitive topics.
Sep 22, 202045:51
Introducing the new A Clash of Critics
Sep 14, 202030:50
Disability in Game of Thrones (a lecture excerpt from The University of Sydney)

Disability in Game of Thrones (a lecture excerpt from The University of Sydney)

This video is an excerpt from a lecture in Introduction to Gender Studies delivered by Mia Harrison at the University of Sydney on May 16, 2019. The topic for this week was "Bodily Norms" and covered a broader discussion of disability and fat politics and scholarship.
This excerpt only covers the portion of the lecture addressing disability in Game of Thrones, so there are some moments referring back to ideas addressed earlier in the lecture. All student contributions have also been cut out.To view a video version of the lecture with slides, you can watch the video on Youtube.
Apr 03, 202033:38