Songs the Drowned Men Sing : The Ironborn Mythology and Social Reality in A Song of Ice and Fire

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of how religion is represented in popular culture and fictional literature, using George R. R. Martin’s book series A Song of Ice and Fire as a case study due to its global popularity and cultural significance. To better understand how the series as a narrative can influence our perception of religion, the thesis focuses on the narrative dimension of religion within the story itself by studying the mythology and social reality of the ironborn. The study uses qualitative content analysis and theory-informed analysis as its methodology. The ironborn myths are identified and categorized by applying Robert A. Segal’s definition for myth as a meaningful story that serves an important purpose for its believers. The thesis examines the social reality of the ironborn with a framework based on cultural studies by focusing on worldview, social structures, and individuals’ positions within the culture. Finally, the study assesses how ironborn mythology affects and reflects their social reality. The ironborn worldview is characterized by their cultural identity as the Drowned God’s chosen people, temporal idea of a glorious past, and religious doctrines, norms, and rituals. The faith also functions as an ideology alongside the idea of the Old Way. The different agents of power in the ironborn society form a social hierarchy. Hegemonic status is held by religious authorities, captains, great houses and the concept of masculinity. To achieve agency, the ironborn individuals need to navigate within a network of cultural values, religious ideals, and idealized masculinity. The myths of the ironborn can be divided into four categories: 1) gods and demigods, 2) priests and prophets, 3) rulers and reavers, and 4) magic and mysteries. These myths highlight cultural values, provide precedents, and reinforce societal structures. The ironborn mythology influences how the ironborn form their identities and understand and create meaning in the world. It does not just affect their place in society but also provides them with cultural tools to uphold or challenge the status quo. What comes to how religion is represented in Martin’s works; the narrative or mythical dimension of religion is shown to have a wide and deep impact on the construction of social reality. This impact is not limited to the followers of faith but to all individuals who operate in society shaped by religion.