So this week I had to find 2 extracts that I believe I could use to examine the novel The Golden Compass. In true formalities: you can find the above below.
Line 1: "We are all subject to fates. But we must act as if we are not," said the witch, "or die of despair. There is a curious prophecy about this child: she is destined to bring about thee end of destiny. But she must do so without knowing what she is doing, as if it were her nature and not her destiny to do it. If she's told what she must do, it will all fail; death will sweep through all the worlds; it will be the triumph of despair forever. The universes will all become nothing more than interlocking machines, blind and empty of thought, feeling and life..." (Pullman 310)
This is a very confusing extract if you simply skim over it and keep reading, however if you actually take the time to delve into its meaning and think about it, you can begin to understand what Serafina Pekkala is saying. The passage contradicts the idea of this whole quest being Lyra's destiny and it tries to put it under the light of instinct. When Serafina says "if she's told what she must do, it will all fail" she is pointing towards the fact that Lyra is doing this for adventure and the opportunity to better the world, rather than change it's future. Even at the closing of the novel, she still sees no destiny in her quest, only to prevent evil and as I've stated before; embetter the world.
Line 2: "So Lyra and her dæmon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky." (Pullman 399)
Yes, it is the last line in the entire novel, but it is meaningful. Lyra and Pantalaimon are now heading off to tackle something even greater than the world, something far greater than them. They are forgetting the world of lies and hatred, and they are looking towards a glistening and bright future (the sun) and they are ready to take on a vast new array of challenges and mysteries (the sky).
Line 1: "We are all subject to fates. But we must act as if we are not," said the witch, "or die of despair. There is a curious prophecy about this child: she is destined to bring about thee end of destiny. But she must do so without knowing what she is doing, as if it were her nature and not her destiny to do it. If she's told what she must do, it will all fail; death will sweep through all the worlds; it will be the triumph of despair forever. The universes will all become nothing more than interlocking machines, blind and empty of thought, feeling and life..." (Pullman 310)
This is a very confusing extract if you simply skim over it and keep reading, however if you actually take the time to delve into its meaning and think about it, you can begin to understand what Serafina Pekkala is saying. The passage contradicts the idea of this whole quest being Lyra's destiny and it tries to put it under the light of instinct. When Serafina says "if she's told what she must do, it will all fail" she is pointing towards the fact that Lyra is doing this for adventure and the opportunity to better the world, rather than change it's future. Even at the closing of the novel, she still sees no destiny in her quest, only to prevent evil and as I've stated before; embetter the world.
Line 2: "So Lyra and her dæmon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky." (Pullman 399)
Yes, it is the last line in the entire novel, but it is meaningful. Lyra and Pantalaimon are now heading off to tackle something even greater than the world, something far greater than them. They are forgetting the world of lies and hatred, and they are looking towards a glistening and bright future (the sun) and they are ready to take on a vast new array of challenges and mysteries (the sky).
I like your first description, and I really like the second line you chose. I also think it is significant, because Lyra and Pantalaimon choose to leave everything they have ever known to face the unknown. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI really like your lines, and you wrote a really good description about them. The second one for me is really interesting and for me the last line is so important, so I agree with you. Also you made a awesome explanation for second one. Greta job! :D
ReplyDeleteYour lines are interesting and very important for understanding the whole concept of the book. I like your description, it is very thoughtful. I didn't understnad the significance of last line but now I do. Good job!
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