Arya Stark never truly becomes a Faceless Man, but she begins her rigorous training with them in Season 5, Episode 5, “Kill the Boy,” of Game of Thrones. This episode marks the start of her journey into adopting their skills and philosophy, though she ultimately chooses a different path.
The Initiation: “Kill the Boy” and Arya’s Arrival in Braavos
Arya’s journey towards becoming an assassin is a pivotal arc in Game of Thrones. Her arrival in Braavos signifies a significant turning point, one that involves a complete renunciation of her former identity and a dedication to the arts of assassination.
Arrival at the House of Black and White
After a long journey, Arya finally arrives at the House of Black and White, the temple of the Many-Faced God. She’s initially denied entry by an old man, but her unwavering dedication and the iron coin given to her by Jaqen H’ghar prove her worth. Inside, she encounters Jaqen, who now wears a different face and welcomes her with the cryptic phrase, “Valar Morghulis.”
Early Training: Cleaning, Sweeping, and Listening
Arya’s initial training is far from the action-packed assassinations she might have imagined. She’s tasked with menial chores like cleaning the floors and washing bodies. This seemingly mundane labor is crucial, though. Jaqen emphasizes the importance of patience, discipline, and observation. She’s encouraged to shed her identity and become “no one,” a vital step in becoming a Faceless Man.
Embracing “No One”: Season 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones
Seasons 5 and 6 detail Arya’s grueling training, emphasizing the psychological and physical challenges involved in becoming a Faceless Man.
Learning the Art of Disguise
One of the core skills Arya learns is the art of disguise. This involves not only changing her physical appearance but also adopting new personalities, mannerisms, and backstories. She’s tested repeatedly on her ability to lie convincingly and deceive others.
The Importance of Detachment
A key tenet of the Faceless Men is detachment. They must relinquish all personal emotions and attachments to become truly effective instruments of death. This is a significant struggle for Arya, who still harbors feelings of vengeance for those who have wronged her family.
A Glimpse into the Many-Faced God
Arya gains a deeper understanding of the Many-Faced God, a deity representing death in all its forms. She learns about the different poisons and methods used to grant the “gift” of death.
A Choice Made: Arya’s Departure from the Faceless Men
Despite her extensive training, Arya ultimately decides not to fully embrace the Faceless Men’s ideology. Her personal feelings and attachments, particularly her desire for revenge, prove too strong.
Rejecting “No One”
The culmination of Arya’s arc in Braavos comes when she’s finally given the opportunity to fully become “no one” by drinking from a poisoned well. However, she refuses. She declares herself Arya Stark of Winterfell, reclaiming her identity and abandoning her training.
The Fight with the Waif
Arya’s decision to leave the Faceless Men leads to a deadly confrontation with the Waif, a senior member of the order who sees Arya as a failure. Their battles culminates in Arya defeating the Waif and, symbolically, facing Jaqen H’ghar again. He acknowledges her choice and allows her to leave, recognizing that she’s forged her own path.
Carrying Faceless Man Skills Forward
While Arya doesn’t officially become a Faceless Man, she retains the skills she learned during her training. She uses these skills to exact revenge on those who wronged her family, becoming a deadly assassin with a clear purpose and unwavering loyalty to House Stark.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Arya Stark and the Faceless Men
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Arya’s relationship with the Faceless Men:
FAQ 1: What is the significance of the iron coin Jaqen gives Arya?
The iron coin acts as a key to gain entry to the House of Black and White in Braavos. It identifies Arya as someone who has received a favor from Jaqen H’ghar and is therefore seeking refuge or training with the Faceless Men.
FAQ 2: Why does Arya have to clean and sweep as part of her training?
These seemingly mundane tasks are designed to instill patience, discipline, and humility. They also force Arya to detach herself from her ego and understand the importance of attention to detail.
FAQ 3: What is “Valar Morghulis” and “Valar Dohaeris”?
“Valar Morghulis” means “All men must die” in High Valyrian. “Valar Dohaeris” means “All men must serve” and is the response to “Valar Morghulis.” These phrases represent the Faceless Men’s understanding of the role of death in the world.
FAQ 4: Does Arya ever change her face like the other Faceless Men?
Yes, Arya learns the skill of changing her face. She wears different faces for various assignments during her training in Braavos.
FAQ 5: Who is the Waif, and why does she dislike Arya so much?
The Waif is a senior acolyte of the Faceless Men who sees Arya as an undisciplined and unworthy student. She is intensely loyal to the Many-Faced God and believes that Arya’s personal feelings will prevent her from truly becoming “no one”.
FAQ 6: Why does Arya ultimately choose to leave the Faceless Men?
Arya chooses to leave because she cannot fully relinquish her identity as Arya Stark. Her desire for revenge and her loyalty to her family are too strong. She prioritizes her personal feelings over the Faceless Men’s ideal of detachment.
FAQ 7: What skills does Arya retain after leaving the House of Black and White?
Arya retains several valuable skills, including sword fighting, disguise, deception, stealth, and knowledge of poisons. She uses these skills to become a deadly assassin, but one driven by her own moral code rather than the Faceless Men’s.
FAQ 8: Is Jaqen H’ghar truly impressed with Arya at the end of her training?
While he doesn’t explicitly state it, Jaqen seems to respect Arya’s choice. He recognizes that she has the potential to be a powerful force, even if she chooses a different path than the one he envisioned for her. He appears to understand that she has learned valuable lessons and found her own strength.
FAQ 9: Does the Many-Faced God actually exist, or is it just a belief system?
The existence of the Many-Faced God is never definitively confirmed in Game of Thrones. It’s left ambiguous, allowing viewers to interpret it as either a real deity or a symbolic representation of death.
FAQ 10: Could Arya have become a fully realized Faceless Man if she had wanted to?
Potentially, but it would have required a complete suppression of her identity and emotions. Given Arya’s strong personality and desire for revenge, it seems unlikely she could have ever truly become “no one.”
FAQ 11: Did Arya’s time with the Faceless Men make her a better person?
That’s debatable. While she gained valuable skills and became a formidable warrior, her experiences also hardened her and made her more ruthless. It’s a complex transformation with both positive and negative consequences.
FAQ 12: How does Arya’s training with the Faceless Men impact her actions in later seasons of the show?
Arya’s training has a profound impact. Her newfound skills allow her to take revenge on those who wronged her family, play a crucial role in the Battle of Winterfell, and ultimately choose her own destiny, setting sail west of Westeros. Her time with the Faceless Men shapes her into a powerful and independent woman.