How we cite our quotes: (Absolute Chapter, Character Name, Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Cersei's face was a study in contempt. "What a jape the gods have made of us two," she said. "By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail." (40 Eddard 10.78)
("Jape" means "joke".) Does Cersei believe in the gender roles that society gives her and her husband? Or is she just using this line (paraphrase: "you're not a real man") in order to hurt King Robert's feelings? And if so, does it work?
Quote #5
If she choked on the blood or retched up the flesh, the omens were less favorable; the child might be stillborn, or come forth weak, deformed, or female. (47 Daenerys 5.3)
Daenerys eats a horse's heart to prove her child will be strong. But check out the alternative. If she fails her child might be (a) stillborn, (b) weak, (c) deformed, or (d) God forbid, a girl. Clearly the Dothraki are hoping for sons, too, just like our friends in Westeros.
Quote #6
"You look very handsome and splendid this morning, Ser Boros," Sansa told him. A lady remembered her courtesies, and she was resolved to be a lady no matter what. (52 Sansa 4.15)
Sansa is lying through her teeth here, but hey, that's part of remembering one's courtesies. Unlike Arya, Sansa is determined to fit into the gender role that society gives to her. Is there anything wrong with that? Or is this way of life equally as valid as Arya's? Does the author pass judgment on this?