but I like Sansa and the way she behaves (in the show; I've not read the books) for this reason: I grew up in a house with my schizophrenic grandfather and father (who was also alcoholic) and their codependent wives; both of them were vicious and completely unpredictable. One minute they'd seem fine and the next they would fly off the handle, throw dishes, smash their fist into the person closest to them, etc. It was fucking terrifying, and everyone was always holding their breath, afraid of what might happen next. My brothers and I learned to be timid and quiet and always respond sweetly to my father and grandfather, because if we didn't we might spend the next 8 hours having a loaded gun waved at us or our mother while he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Sansa learned fast, and was in a much more dire situation than we ever were. It took me YEARS to learn to just shut my mouth and smile at my father. Sometimes I still can't manage it. I think she's quite smart, actually. Not brave, especially, but then most people aren't. But she's smart enough to stay alive, and that's something.