A Song of Ice and Fire literary analysis and insight. ASOIAF/Game of Thrones books stand on the shoulders of literary giants--Homer, Dante, Joyce, Vonnegut, Melville. Or if that's not enough, how about a heaping helping of Plato? We analyze these literary and philosophical forerunners and show their influences on GRRM's series.
Understanding the books' literary DNA opens up entirely new vistas and interpretations of characters and events throughout the series. Grappling with the literary and philosophical elements in the series give the stories meaning and relevance in our own lives, today.
Bridge of Dream Analysis--Truth Depends on Who's Doing the Talking
The Bridge of Dream chapter (Tyrion Five from A Dance with Dragons) delves deeply into a number of the key themes in the series. These include the subjective nature of reality, the non-thought of received ideas, and the unreliability of language/communication. These issues are central to the human experience, and their treatment in this chapter makes the case for a moral reading of the text.
This is a response to the Bridge of Dream episode from Boiled Leather Audio Hour. Those guys are legendary ASOIAF podders, so please do give a listen to their work.
The "non-thought of received ideas" I first encountered in Milan Kundera's Art of the Novel. He was responding to Flaubert's earlier, posthumously published Dictionary of Received Ideas. Both get at the cost and consequence to the individual and society as a whole when critical engagement with ideas fails. Please do check them out.
Thank you for listening!
14 Jan 2025
Yes, A Feast for Crows is Great Literature
The hosts discuss how George R.R. Martin's *A Feast for Crows* explores themes of personal transformation, social context, and individual responsibility, distinguishing it from earlier books in the series.
26 Jul 2022
01.12 Tyrion 1/Ch.9 When Hell Really Is Other People
The hosts of GoTTalkPod analyze Tyrion's experiences through the lens of Sartre's "No Exit," exploring the concept of "Hell is other people" and its relevance to the character, while also drawing parallels to Platonic ideals.
1 Jul 2022
01.11 Bran 2/Ch.8 When Opposite Twins Attract: Bran, Ishmael, Perspective and Interpretation
This episode analyzes George R.R. Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire* chapter focusing on Bran's role as a limited lens through which the story is viewed, exploring themes of perception, interpretation, and subjective experience.
22 May 2022
01.10 Arya 1/Ch.7 *PART TWO* Plato's Republic and Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire
The host analyzes George R.R. Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire* through the lens of Plato's *Republic*, exploring themes of justice, equality, and societal structure as reflected in Arya's chapter, revealing the philosophical underpinnings of the series.
2 Apr 2022
01.09 Arya 1/Ch.7 *PART ONE* Communication and Rhetoric as Themes in Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire
This episode analyzes Arya Stark's chapter, exploring communication's challenges and rhetoric's deception within the context of ethical arguments in *A Song of Ice and Fire*.
20 Mar 2022
01.08 Game of Thrones Catelyn 2/Ch.6 Re-Read from an Academic, Literary Perspective
Literary experts analyze George R.R. Martin's *Game of Thrones* chapter focusing on Catelyn, exploring themes of perception, reality, and allegorical reading, revealing the author's invitation for close literary analysis.
7 Mar 2022
01.07 Game of Thrones Jon 1/Ch.5 Re-Read from an Academic, Literary Perspective
The host analyzes Jon Snow's first chapter in "Game of Thrones" through an academic and literary lens, connecting it to themes of destiny, power, and philosophical concepts.
28 Feb 2022
02.05 Plato's Cave Confirmed! TWOW Arianne II
The hosts of GoTTalkPod analyze Arianne II from *The Winds of Winter*, revealing George R.R. Martin's explicit reference to Plato's cave and its implications for understanding *A Song of Ice and Fire*.
22 Feb 2022
01.06 Game of Thrones Eddard 1/Ch.4 Re-Read from an Academic, Literary Perspective
Literary analysis reveals how George R.R. Martin employs doubled words and scenes in *Game of Thrones* to emphasize differing points of view, drawing parallels to works by Joyce, Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Plato.
11 Feb 2022
02.04 Plato's Allegory of the Cave in George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
The hosts of GoTTalkPod explore George RR Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire* as a modern interpretation of Plato's Allegory of the Cave, drawing parallels between scenes and characters to reveal insights into human nature.
16 Jan 2022
02.03 Cat One/Dany One Compare and Contrast Special Episode
This episode analyzes how the characters Catelyn Stark and Daenerys Targaryen function as opposing forces in George R.R. Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire* series, revealing deeper power dynamics.
29 Jul 2021
01.05 Game of Thrones Dany 1/Ch.3 Analysis from an Academic, Literary Perspective
GoTTalkPod analyzes Daenerys Targaryen's first chapter in Game of Thrones from an academic, literary perspective, exploring themes of usurpation, power, and Joyce's influence in this episode.
6 Jul 2021
01.04 Game of Thrones Catelyn 1/Ch.2 Analysis from an Academic, Literary Perspective
Literary analysis examines Catelyn's role in Game of Thrones, highlighting her maternal presence and the chapter's deep dive into Stark history, Winterfell symbolism, and potential literary associations.
16 Jun 2021
02.02 Bloomsday Episode on James Joyce' Ulysses in A Song of Ice and Fire
GoTTalkPod analyzes the thematic connections between James Joyce's Ulysses and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, exploring usurpation and character development.
7 Jun 2021
01.03 Game of Thrones Bran 1/Ch.1 Re-Read from the POV of Academic Literary Criticism
GoTTalkPod analyzes George R.R. Martin's *Game of Thrones* through Bran's first chapter, exploring themes of justice and connections to Plato, Dante, and James Joyce, revealing deeper literary meanings.
29 May 2021
01.02 Game of Thrones Prologue Re-Read from the POV of Academic Literary Criticism
The hosts of GoTTalkPod analyze George RR Martin's "A Game of Thrones Prologue" through the lens of academic literary criticism, exploring allegorical and moral meanings within the text.
24 May 2021
01.01 GoTTalkPod Intro and the Epic Song
The hosts introduce GoTTalkPod, a podcast dedicated to literary analysis of George RR Martin's *A Song of Ice and Fire*, promising profound insights and exploration of hidden meanings within the text.
16 May 2021
02.01 Dante's Divine Comedy in A Song of Ice and Fire
GoTTalkPod analyzes the influence of Dante's Divine Comedy on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, exploring parallels in plot lines and character arcs.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100
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12
Social presence
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YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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