Whose got brainpower? Brienne's got brainpower!

[kem_viva]

Smarts
“Catelyn watched the riders spread out in a long line.  Lord Jason’s men waited to receive them behind rocks and grass and hillocks.  A trumpet blast sent the horsemen forward at a ponderous  walk, splashing down into the current.  For a moment they made a brace show, all bright honor and streaming banners, the sun flashing off the points

Comments

[geeklee]

i completely agree. every time we read about brienne, she shows that she truly observes, analyzes and acts. and usually her actions are well made.

i don't think of her time searching for sansa as her doing the wrong thing. i did sometimes wonder if anyone would truly answer her questions even if they had seen sansa but she handles it as best she can, given the information she has. quests mean searching without much direction!

and for some reason, i'm reminded of her flashbacks to her suitors back at her home. despite her young age and lack of desire to be married, she does seem to size up the men rather quickly. all and all, i think she shows she'd make an excellent and strategic commander, if ever given the chance.

[kem_viva]

Yeah, she is definitely very observant which would make her an excellent commander in terms of planning strategy.

I don't think that she was doing anything wrong searching for Sansa, but I can understand why there might be frustration in the minds of the reader who already knows her quest is futile.

[unnecessary_]

I only read until you mentioned Sansa's name for fear of spoilers but you're definitely making me want to read a little faster so that I can love on this woman with you.

[kem_viva]

lol, yes read faster so you can! ;)

[fauxkaren]

You are so right. The wisdom of the female characters (including Brienne) are really overlooked by both fandom as well as the men in the text. But Brienne isn't stupid. She's a bit naive in some areas of her life, but she's not an idiot.

[kem_viva]

Yeah, I think a lot of fandom (probably because this type of fandom outside of lj is probably dominated by men)ignores the intelligence of the female characters. I think its because they don't have the witty remarks or the scheming of the male characters which is exciting to the reader. She is definitely naive at times, but she learns quickly and is not an idiot.

[janie_tangerine]

This so much. Sometime I feel like everyone who isn't Tyrion or Littlefinger gets measured up to them when talking about smarts, but it's not the only way to be smart that exists in the world. AFFC was structured in a way that didn't put her in the right light, but the reasoning she does whenever deciding what to do is always sound. And she's perfectly competent at fighting related things - heck, even Jaime was reluctantly praising her for the throwing rocks idea, and he wasn't thinking that in spite of himself for flattery. And lol you're so right that both Jaime and Cleos were about ready to call it quits. >__> but yeah she's a pretty awesome tactician. Other than knowing how to fight. I hate that it gets overlooked because it's not the shining witty kind of smarts and because sharp sarcasm isn't her thing. But it's intelligence nonetheless.

[kem_viva]

I totally agree, Tyrion, Tywin, Littlefinger, and Varys are like 'the smart characters' and everyone else is not in the conversation. Scheming is the most widely recognized form of intelligence apparently, and if it has a witty remark to along with it all the better. *eyeroll*

[alexandral]

Yes, I think Brienne is a very perceptive and intelligent person. It is her who finds and kills the fake!Hound, displaying some serious deductive powers and quick-thinking in fighting along the way.

I think what happens in ASOIAF is that everyone is considered on the scales of "how good they are in the Game of Thrones", which is not intelligence per se, not really, but ability for political intrigue. And to tell the truth, although we are never given any prof, I think Brienne will be quite adept at "the Game of Thrones", given a chance, in not-flashy but efficient way (similar to Kevan Lannister, may be).

But I don't think she wants to take part in the Game of Thrones, which is in my eyes also speaks of her intelligence in the world of ASOIAF where everyone is hungry for power.

To add, I think Ned is much more intelligent than the fandom has him to be (and even Robb).

[kem_viva]

I totally agree with everything you've said. I never really thought of it that way, but IA it seems that everyone is only intelligent if they are good player in the game of thrones. IMO it seems like the intelligent thing to do is just stay out of it lol.

Ned never stands a chance to be considered intelligent because of some of his decisions, but those revolve more around honor than actual intelligence.