Question
In Game of Thrones S01E02, When Bran is comatose from his fall, Jon Snow comes to visit him before Snow leaves for the wall. Snow talks to Bran and says "We can go for a walk beyond the wall, if you are not afraid." and Catelyn gets angry and says "I want you to leave." Why does she get angry about this?
Just to clarify, I know that she doesn't like him to begin with, but when he enters the room, she is sad, not angry. She only becomes angry after he begins talking to the unconscious Bran and specifically after he invites Bran to The Wall, so it seems like she got triggered by something there.
Answer
The other answers have most of it covered - she always bitterly resented what she sees as Ned's decision to bring walking evidence of adultery into their home and treat a bastard the same as her children with him - but there's one thing to add about why this line in particular could have been the final straw that made her flip from restrained resentment to outright hostility:
We can go for a walk beyond the wall, if you are not afraid.
There's a big cultural difference here:
- The Starks are from the North, where joining the Night's Watch on the wall is seen as a grim and unpleasant but ultimately honourable duty.
- Catelyn is a Tully, from further south, where the Night's Watch is seen more as a dishonourable punishment for criminals, outlaws, and the unwanted.
It's mentioned a few times how Catelyn has sometimes struggled to adapt to Northern cultural values. She understands the different attitude, but that doesn't mean she accepts it or in any way sees it that way herself.
So here she is, biting her tongue, trying to bitterly tolerate the presence of the living proof of her husband's infidelity (and her protective instincts already in overdrive).
Then Jon starts talking about taking her injured, vulnerable son to the place where - as she sees it - the realm's worst rejects, robbers and rapists are sent to die. Talking like he wants to convince Bran it's as an exciting treat to look forward to. Worse, the "if you are not afraid" part carries a possible implication that Bran, as a brave, honourable Stark, should want to go. She knows only too well how sensitive the Starks can be to these kind of appeals to honour and courage.
That's when it becomes too much. She'll bite her tongue and tolerate the bastard for a few minutes before he finally goes off to that pit of rejects. But the idea of her vulnerable son one day being convinced to venture north of the wall? Not on her life!
Answered By - user56reinstatemonica8
