First Seen
2023-05-10T21:03:35+00:00
simple-description (llama3.2-vision_11b)
The meme is a graph showing the approval ratings of the character Sansa Stark throughout the Game of Thrones series. The graph is titled "Sansa's Approval Ratings" and shows a dramatic drop in ratings after the infamous "The Long Night" (Season 8, Episode 1). The meme is meant to poke fun at the sudden and drastic change in audience reception of the show's final season, particularly the infamous "The Long Night" episode.
detailed-analysis (gemma3-27b-vision)
Okay, let's break down this image of Sansa Stark's approval rating graph throughout Game of Thrones across several theoretical lenses. I'll focus on the relevant ones, skipping those that don't strongly apply.
1. Visual Description
The image presents a line graph charting the "Approval Rating" of the character Sansa Stark across the eight seasons of Game of Thrones. The y-axis ranges from 0 to 10, representing the level of approval, while the x-axis represents the season number.
* Initial High: Season 1 begins with a relatively high approval rating (around 4.5).
* Dramatic Drop: There is a significant and rapid decline in approval during Season 2, reaching a low of approximately 1.
* Gradual Recovery: The approval rating remains low throughout seasons 3 and 4, showing a slight increase from season 5 onwards.
* Peak & Fall: Seasons 6 and 7 see a resurgence, reaching a peak of around 4.5. The graph then experiences a sharp and dramatic fall in Season 8, plummeting to a near-zero approval rating.
* Visual Backdrop: Behind the line graph is a blurred, moody portrait of Sansa Stark. The image is predominantly dark, and her face is partially obscured, creating an atmosphere of vulnerability or complexity.
2. Foucauldian Genealogical Discourse Analysis
This image is a fascinating case study for Foucault’s ideas. The "approval rating" itself is a discourse – a system of thought, language, and practice that constructs knowledge about Sansa.
Power/Knowledge: The graph creates* the knowledge of Sansa's “approval.” This is not an inherent quality of Sansa, but is constructed by the discourse of online fan communities (where these ratings likely originated). Power operates within this discourse - those who express opinions (fans, critics) have the power to shape Sansa's perceived value.
Genealogy: We can trace the genealogy* of Sansa’s shifting approval. In Season 1, she's presented as a naive, romantic ideal, fitting into a narrative of courtly love. Season 2 sees her experience brutal sexual abuse at the hands of Joffrey, a point where many fans (and the discourse surrounding it) begin to see her as a “victim” and potentially less agency. The later seasons reflect shifts in narrative focus and fan reactions to her strategic and sometimes morally ambiguous actions.
Disciplinary Power: The graph can be read as a form of disciplinary power*. It incentivizes certain behaviors or narratives from the showrunners. If the approval ratings drop, showrunners could be pressured to course-correct.
* Shifting Norms: The graph shows that “approval” isn’t static. What was acceptable or desirable in a character in Season 1 is different from Season 8. This reveals the changing cultural norms and expectations projected onto Sansa.
3. Critical Theory
Applying Critical Theory, we can understand the graph as illustrating the construction of a female character within a patriarchal narrative.
* Patriarchal Gaze: Sansa’s initial approval stems from her fulfilling a traditional feminine role – beauty, marriage prospects, passivity. When she is subjected to sexual violence, the initial decline in approval may reflect a societal tendency to punish victims or blame them for attracting unwanted attention (even in a fictional context).
* Deconstruction of Narrative: The fluctuating approval shows the instability of narratives when analyzed through a critical lens. Sansa’s shift towards political maneuvering in later seasons breaks with the initial "damsel in distress" archetype. This disruption can create tension with audiences accustomed to traditional roles.
* Subversion & Resistance: Her increased approval as she gains power (Seasons 6-7) can be seen as a subversion of patriarchal expectations. However, the massive drop in Season 8 suggests that even a powerful female character is subject to patriarchal judgment – the “correct” way for her to act to maintain approval is limited.
* Ideology: The graph itself, as a construction of online fandom, embodies certain ideological assumptions about what makes a “good” or “likeable” female character. It reflects the unconscious biases present in the audience’s evaluation of Sansa.
4. Marxist Conflict Theory
From a Marxist perspective, Sansa’s journey can be interpreted through the lens of class and power struggles within Westeros.
* Class Warfare: Sansa’s family, House Stark, is initially positioned as morally upright nobility. However, the game of thrones is ultimately a struggle for power and resources. Sansa’s declining approval in early seasons could stem from her inability to immediately adapt to the ruthless political landscape.
* Exploitation: Her forced marriage to Joffrey is a clear instance of exploitation – a tool used by the Lannisters to gain control over the North. Her suffering is directly tied to the power dynamics within the ruling class.
* Rise to Power: As Sansa gains political agency, she challenges the existing power structure. Her increased approval in later seasons reflects a recognition of her effectiveness in navigating this conflict.
* Season 8 Decline: The significant drop in approval in the final season could be related to a perceived betrayal of her values or a perceived lack of strategic competence. From a Marxist viewpoint, her actions may have been interpreted as aligning her with the interests of the ruling class rather than the needs of the people.
5. Queer Feminist Intersectional Analysis
This lens allows us to examine Sansa's experience through the intersection of gender, sexuality, and power.
Gendered Violence: The sexual abuse Sansa endures is not merely violence, but gendered* violence designed to strip her of agency and control. The decline in approval after these events reflects a societal tendency to punish victims of sexual assault and center the perpetrator’s actions.
* Reclaiming Agency: Sansa’s strategic alliances and political maneuvering in later seasons can be read as a form of queer feminist resistance – a deliberate disruption of patriarchal expectations and a reclaiming of her own narrative.
* Intersectionality of Power: Sansa’s power is not solely based on her gender, but also on her class, family lineage, and political alliances. Analyzing the intersections of these factors reveals the complex dynamics that shape her journey.
* Season 8 Critique: The final season’s decline in approval could be attributed to a perceived failure to address the trauma of gendered violence and the complexities of power dynamics within Westeros. Some critiques argue that the show prioritized plot over character development, leading to a simplified and unsatisfying conclusion for Sansa.
Hopefully, this comprehensive analysis provides you with a good understanding of how this image can be interpreted through various theoretical frameworks!
simple-description (llama3.2-vision)
The meme is a screenshot from the Game of Thrones series, specifically a scene where a character is shocked or upset. The text "I'm not the one who needs to get a new map" appears above the image, referencing a quote from the show. The meme is likely used to express skepticism or frustration, implying that someone else is responsible for a problem or issue.
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