How we cite our quotes: (Absolute Chapter, Character Name, Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
His cloak was his crowning glory; sable, thick and black and soft as sin. "Bet he killed them all himself, he did," Gared told the barracks over wine, "twisted their little heads off, our mighty warrior." They had all shared the laugh. (1 Prologue.15)
"[O]ur mighty warrior" is about as close to humor as you'll find in Night's Watch. And we must admit, we did chuckle. Gared is talking here about Waymar Royce, a young boy who is probably is better at dressing himself than fighting. Obviously, this won't fly with the manly members of the Night's Watch.
Quote #2
Arya cocked her head to one side. "Can I be a king's councillor and build castles and become the High Septon?"
"You," Ned said, kissing her lightly on the brow, "will marry a king and rule his castle, and your sons will be knights and princes and lords and, yes, perhaps even a High Septon."
Arya screwed up her face. "No," she said, "that's Sansa." She folded up her right leg and resumed her balancing. Ned sighed and left her there. (26 Eddard 5.52-4)
Sure, Ned is an understanding dad who even gets his daughter lessons in sword-fighting. But it's pretty clear that he doesn't love the idea of his daughter stepping too far outside the socially-accepted roles for women. (That sigh at the end seals the deal.) Unfortunately for Arya, her dreams for herself will only be seen through by her sons. Fingers crossed for a Y chromosome.
Quote #3
Whatever pride his lord father might have felt at Samwell's birth vanished as the boy grew up plump, soft, and awkward. […] His passions were books and kittens and dancing, clumsy as he was. But he grew ill at the sight of blood, and wept to see even a chicken slaughtered. (27 Jon 4.82)
Remember good old Ned? He might wish Arya was less of a tomboy but, hey, he still loves and supports her. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Lord Randyll Tarly, who threatens to kill his son because he's not masculine enough. Yikes.