okay, so I've decided that i need to come back and talk about bran's chapters and arc in this book more in depth.
When i first finished reading, i was a little unclear about what Bran's character arc was supposed to be in this book. He only has seven chapters, which doesn't seem like enough time to establish and go through any change. That mistake is easy to make, especially if you don't know the amount of time that passes in this book. All that being said, Bran definitely does have an arc.
Bran's first two chapters are used for establishing - both his character and the world he lives in. The first chapter, in particular, spends more time on world building than it does on Bran, at a glance. The beheading of the Night's Watch deserter seems more like a background for introduction to the ways of the Northerners and our characters, as well as a set up for the boys finding the dead direwolf and it's pups. Of course, that's if you're looking at this chapter outside of the context of the prologue, which we're doing just for now. The second chapter, in contrast, speaks about Bran more directly as it relays the many stories about his climbing. I think it is safe to say that Bran's love of seeing the castle from above is foreshadowing to his next chapter.
The end of the second chapter throws a wrench into everything we've been set up to believe would happen to Bran later in the book. The next time we see Bran he's in an extended dream, filled with surreal imagery and symbolism. This is our first glimpse into his endgame, and the truth of what this entire series is about: not the politics or the wars or the conquests, but the battle for survival in the face of winter. From this point onward, we are reminded again and again that this is the focus, but subtly. It is no mistake that Bran doesn't remember the circumstances of his fall except in the vaguest terms.
Chapter four chronicles Bran's introduction back into the world after his accident. Multiple times we come face to face with Bran's feelings of inadequacy due to his paraplegia. No longer able to conform to the ableist standards for which Westerosi society has set forward for him as a boy, Bran is frustrated with his lot. Yet, he insists he is not broken, a subtle push against this. But unlearning oppressive ideology is hard - when presented with his saddle plans, Bran's mind goes to war and how he could learn to fight on horseback pretty quickly. I think it is important that it is Tyrion, a fellow outcast due to ableism, that provides the plans for Bran's saddle. I think it means a lot more coming from him, another person who has spent much of his life looking for ways to be mobile in this oppressive society. It's a genuine attempt at help, rather than someone trying to fit Bran back into the mold in anyway they can.
This continues into his fifth chapter, where, after finally riding out of the walls on his own, Bran feels inadequate again when he can't defend himself against the Wildings that attack him. However, I think this experience works to let Bran know that a warrior's life is not for him - not because he is paralyzed, but because he isn't cut out for it mentally. He is no Theon, and no Robb, even keeping the age gaps in mind. He is no Arya. Hopefully, he will realize that this is fine. Of course, it will not happen in this book. Unlearning oppressive ideology takes time. Once chapter 6 comes around, it is shown that Bran is beginning to become more comfortable with himself and his disability.
Throughout these two chapters, we have subtle reminders of the real threat, in the way of Old Nan's story about the Others, and even the Wildlings raiding in the woods. These come again in chapter 6, where Osha, the captured Wilding woman, tells Bran that Robb needs to march his army north, not south - toward the true problem, and not the distraction. Of course, we know he does not listen, but that is not Robb's fault - he doesn't have much to go off of. What's important is that Bran is listening, and that the things he saw in his dream, and what the crow has told him, haven't fallen on deaf ears. Bran is no longer afraid of the weirwood tree.
Bran's last chapter brings us to the climax of his arc in this book, away from the traditional male role. Again, we see that Bran does cling to some vestiges of this other path, reminiscing about his sword practice with Prince Tommen and wondering if he could go to war riding Hodor's back - remember, unlearning oppressive ideology is hard. But this chapter is also the beginning of a new journey for Bran. His dream of the crow, and his father in the crypts, is the first of his green dreams that he actually remembers. His father's death hangs over his head before it even happens. From this point forward, Bran's life will be led along by prophecy, an aspect he shares with many characters that lived before his time. Slowly,we begin to see how Bran will be directed away from Winterfell and toward the far north, as he learns about the First Men and the children of the forest. Bran's new journey that begins with this chapter, is that of the greenseer.
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