All quotes are taken from The Skyrim Blog.
In direct contrast to the Empire, the Stormcloak argument seems very selfish. They believe that no one but Nords should be able to boss the Nords around—not the Empire, not the Thalmor, only the Nords. The Stormcloak way of thinking is showcased very will in this comment from Zimbu: “Stormcloaks. The Empire is falling. It lost its battle and is really just a sham of a government that is a puppet to the Aldmeri Dominion. Their treaty was basically forced on the Jarls of Skyrim, and they are oppressing people based on their religion…The Stormcloaks, on the other hand, are fighting for their political and religious freedoms. They do not accept the treaty that was forced in them, and want nothing more than to keep the oppressors out of their homeland. They want the freedom to practice their own beliefs and govern themselves using their own traditions.” The Stormcloaks are fighting for their freedom, but they are only fighting for the freedom and equality of the Nords, not the other races. The Stormcloaks are fiercely independent, emotional about the religious oppression that they are facing, and will not hesitate to fight for what they believe in, even if that means oppressing other races themselves.
The Stormcloaks do not fight for total equality. They only fight for themselves. However, there is a certain appeal to many people. It is inspiring to fight for one's freedom. Think of all the hit movies based on the theme of freedom and rebellion. People enjoy this sort of thing, and the Stormcloak rebellion allows them to be a part of it.
There are even a few instances of people joining the Stormcloaks just to be rebellious. Magnus Faraday seems to think so: “I sided with the Stormcloaks. My reasoning was entirely sentimental.” In following comments Magnus went on to tell about his childhood’s rebellious streak, and how he likes to take a rebellious stance when it comes to issues in video games.
Some people don’t support the Empire because they feel that it is politically unstable and weak. My good friend Kane says it rather nicely: “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I lived in a land where the government couldn't protect its people.”
The Stormcloak argument is justified as well. What more noble a cause than to fight against religious persecution?
Very nice argument, when I first started playing Skyrim a few weeks ago, I sought some peoples opinions on the civil war. So many people denounced the Stormcloaks as racist I felt so many people couldn't be wrong... but they were.
ReplyDeleteIt was made pretty clear to me that the Stormcloaks want their nation which is the heartland of Nord tradition to keep it's nord way of life, they don't hate people just because of race, they hate people who come to their land look down on their traditions and seek to supersede them with the customs of their land, much like how some muslim groups are doing in England right now.
Their are people of other races who have assimilated into the nordic culture in the Stormcloak capital.
Indeed, the Stormcloak argument is justified.
On the issue, the Stormcloaks for all of their shortcomings have one thing that the empire lacks: Integrity and honor. Look at the defeat of Ulfric vs Tullius. Tullius attempts to escape with his tail between his legs and the Legions ready to serve as a delaying action as he would return to the Imperial City stating their secession as a fact and decides to abandon the mess whereas Ulfric was determined to fight for their land to the end. Ulfric could have easily finished what he started and executed Elisef and replace her with Erikur and assume his place uncontested as the High King but he chooses to wait.
ReplyDeleteEven without the religious debate I can see what Ulfric wants, to see the honor of Tiber Septim, Talos, Ysgarmor or whatever Atmorian Warlord's respect rightfully restored. That is what a stormcloak fights for, to maintain one's honor.
Very much like the Starks.