Original artwork, not a still
A Dance with Dragons · 2011
Kill the boy and let the man be born.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Aemon asks Jon to accept the loneliness of making consequential decisions. Becoming an adult means taking responsibility even when the choice will not make him loved.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for A Dance with DragonsShow the scene
In Jon II of A Dance with Dragons, Jon recalls Maester Aemon’s counsel about the burdens of command. Aemon’s instruction is metaphorical: Jon must stop looking for the protections and approval available to a child. The sentence later appears in the television adaptation, but this page credits the novel.
Sources (3)
- Jon II, chapter 7: Jon recalls Aemon’s advice on the burdens of command. — reference 1Jon II, chapter 7: Jon recalls Aemon’s advice on the burdens of command.; selected line and sceneReference checked
- Jon II, chapter 7: Jon recalls Aemon’s advice on the burdens of command. — reference 2Jon II, chapter 7: Jon recalls Aemon’s advice on the burdens of command.; selected line and sceneReference checked
- Jon II, chapter 7: Jon recalls Aemon’s advice on the burdens of command. — reference 3Jon II, chapter 7: Jon recalls Aemon’s advice on the burdens of command.; selected line and sceneReference checked
Context reviewed
