Why Didn't Jon Snow Take His Sword When the Night’s Watch Turned On Him?

Whether Jon Snow had his sword or not is largely a matter of narrative choice. Here’s why:

Why It Was Written This Way

1. GRRM’s Intentions: The story was intentionally written by George R.R. Martin (GRRM) in a way that reflected the themes and purpose of the narrative. In particular, at the end of A Storm of Swords(Book 5) and Season 5 of Game of Thrones, GRRM chose to have Jon Snow face his foes without his weapon for a specific reason. This moment emphasizes the brutality and harshness of reality, which contrasts with the idealism Jon carries. The story unfolds the way it does to highlight the morality and the choice Jon faces.

2. Words from Aemon Targaryen: Aemon Targaryen, in the face of death, imparts a lesson: Ice preserves. Fire consumes. This saying underscores a key theme in the series: the concept of enduring the harshness of Winter to preserve things that are valuable, as opposed to the destructive fire that consumes everything in its path. Jon, as Ice Stark and Fire Targaryen, is a representation of these conflicting elements.

Plot Insights and Fan Theories

There are additional narrative points and fan theories that can provide more context:

Ice Preserves: For those who have read the books, it is well-known that the severe cold of the North, specifically around The Wall and Castle Black, preserves certain aspects of life. In particular, individuals with Targaryen blood tend to live longer due to the harsh climate. Aemon Targaryen is a prime example of this, living much longer than his Targaryen peers.

Romanticized Fantasy vs. Grim Reality: GRRM frequently juxtaposes the romanticized world of Westeros with the grim realities of Winter and the North. This is evident in Jon Snow’s experience. Even when carrying a sword, Jon’s experiences show that it is not just about having the tool but the willingness to use it and the strength of one's character to endure.

Additional Details from Game of Thrones

On the show, there are instances where Jon Snow didn’t have his sword, such as the time when he used Janos Slynt’s sword:

Samwell Tarly’s Adventure: In the books and the show, Samwell Tarly recounts an incident where Jon asks Olly to fetch his sword for him. This shows that Jon has moments when he needs to rely on others to get his weapon. During the event where the Night’s Watch turned against him, Jon was in a similar situation where he didn’t have his sword with him. He was on his home turf, and the conditions were favorable, making it less likely for him to expect immediate conflict. His experience with the cold and the need to flex his fingers regularly to prevent stiffness also played a role.

Home Turf and Preparedness: Jon Snow, on his home turf, might not have considered needing a sword for talks about his uncle. He was in a safe and familiar environment, and the situation didn’t warrant the burden of carrying a weapon. This further reinforces the idea that the absence of his sword wasn’t a significant factor in the outcome of the event.

Conclusion

In summary, the absence of Jon Snow’s sword during the Night’s Watch betrayal was intentional, reflecting GRRM’s narrative choices and thematic intentions. The story highlights the harsh realities of the North, the preservation of life in harsh climates, and the complexity of character development. Whether Jon had his sword or not is a minor detail in the grand scheme of the narrative, focusing more on the emotional and moral strength that drives the story's progression.

References

George R.R. Martin. A Storm of Swords. Bantam Books, 2000.

Game of Thrones. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, HBO, 2011-2019.