Why the Maesters at the Citadel Are Reluctant to Believe Bran Stark’s Letter About the White Walkers

In the richly detailed world of Game of Thrones, the Maesters of the Citadel stand as pillars of wisdom and erudition. However, when Bran Stark writes to them about the impending threat of the White Walkers, their response is often one of skepticism and reluctance to act. This reluctance can be attributed to several underlying factors, including their deeply ingrained traditions, political motivations, and cultural biases.

Skepticism and Tradition

The Maesters of the Citadel are deeply rooted in their scholarly traditions and often prioritize historical documentation and empirical evidence over anecdotal claims. The threat of the White Walkers, although real, is often dismissed as a myth or legend from the past. This adherence to tradition means that the Maesters may struggle to accept new and unfamiliar threats to the realm. The scientific and rationalist mindset of the Maesters makes them less receptive to supernatural claims, further solidifying their skepticism.

Political Motivations

Many Maesters are tied to the intricate web of politics within the Seven Kingdoms. Acknowledging a threat like the White Walkers could destabilize the existing power structures, leading to political unrest and conflict. Therefore, they may see Bran’s warning as a potential source of instability, and thus prefer to remain silent or skeptical. By dismissing the threat, they can preserve the current status quo and avoid unnecessary panic or action that could threaten their political influence.

Lack of Recent Evidence

By the time Bran sends his letter, the White Walkers have not been seen for a prolonged period. This lack of recent evidence leads the Maesters to doubt the credibility of Bran’s account. The Maesters may consider the White Walkers’ resurgence as an isolated incident rather than a significant and ongoing threat. Historical and empirical evidence is crucial to their decision-making, and the absence of current proof makes them resistant to changing their stance.

Focus on the Present

The Maesters are more concerned with immediate political issues facing the realm, such as power struggles between noble houses. This focus on current events means that they may disregarded warnings about a threat that seems distant or hypothetical. They prioritize the practical concerns of the present over the potential risks of the future, as they are more familiar and comfortable with dealing with contemporary issues.

Cultural Bias

The Maesters have a cultural bias towards rationalism and science, which makes them less receptive to supernatural claims. The idea of the White Walkers challenges their understanding of the world, and they may view such claims as superstition or fairytales. This bias is particularly evident in their interactions with the general population, where they use these stories to control and maintain order. The White Walkers, in their view, are not a literal threat but a metaphorical fable designed to control the masses.

The Maesters and the General Population

The Maesters often see themselves as superior to the general population, including Bran Stark, a child. This hubris leads them to dismiss Bran’s warnings outright. They believe that they, having lived their entire lives without the adversity of the White Walkers, have a better understanding of the world. However, this obliviousness to the changing times and the importance of listening to diverse perspectives can be seen as a reflection of a broader cultural bias that emphasizes their own knowledge and experience over the realities faced by others.

Children, like Bran, often see things with youthful eyes and can report accurate observations based on their honest experiences. The Maesters, with their focus on tradition and rationality, may have forgotten what it is like to be truly innocent and honest. Their skepticism towards Bran’s letter is, in part, a result of their own limitations and biases, which prevent them from acknowledging the true nature of the threat.

In conclusion, the Maesters’ reluctance to believe Bran Stark’s letter about the White Walkers is a complex interplay of skepticism, political motivations, a lack of recent evidence, a focus on the present, and cultural biases. These factors combine to create a barrier that makes it difficult for them to accept and address the existential threat posed by the White Walkers.