31 Things We Learned from the Game of Thrones Women

Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) in Game of Thrones, Screencap via HBO

6. It’s behavior, not titles, that defines a person.

Arya Stark

Arya considers everyone and judges them as equals. She doesn’t fancy herself superior because of her station in life. As far as Arya is concerned—as we all should be—who you are as a person is completely removed from what you’ve been given. That is to say, you create yourself beyond your advantages. Arya recognizes her privileges and doesn’t deem herself more important because of them.

It’s this mentality, among other characteristics, that has aided in her survival. She doesn’t turn her nose up at Gendry, Hot Pie, and Lommy; instead, she finds a family with them, which is something Arya has desperately needed throughout her journey. Bonding with them reminds her how much she needs to be with the people she loves. Even her relationship with the Hound improves when he proves himself to be more than a murderer. Arya judges him by these newfound qualities as well as what she’d known of him before.

You’ll never know what sort of relationships you can build with people if you don’t give them all the opportunity. Arya has exceptional perception of others’ character, and she uses it wisely. Surely it’ll come in handy once more when she shows up to Winterfell and helps to knock Littlefinger down a few pegs, no?