Question Commander- 2nd Rotation

Title: “The Golden Compass”

Author: Philip Pullman

Pages: 0-230

Job: Question Commander

 I apologize for posting so late, but I didn’t have internet. Although I finished my post on time I couldn’t post it. Again I apologize and hope this post will count.

1.       1. What do daemons represent in this book?

I think that daemons are like house pets, but they are more than that. Daemons show the human soul and their social status. For example, the servants’ daemon is often a dog which represents the obedience and loyalty that they own. Growing up every daemon changes the shape until the owner has fixed personality.  Lord Asriel’s daemon is beautiful snow leopard that shows his power and authority. Lyra’s daemon changes in different shapes depending on her mood as well as situations. When Lyra first met with alethiometer her daemon (Pan) changed shape into mouse, because Lyra was curious to find how it works. While Lyra was in dangerous situations Pan changed into wildcat. From this we can see that human’s daemons represent owner’s soul, in fact they are their soul.

2.       2.  Why do witches help Lyra in her adventure?

Witches do not live beyond humans instead they live in far north. They are not interested in human lives but their clans often have wars with one another. They do not follow rules of the Church and they are not especially interested in Dust. Witches fly through the Aurora, so they have access to the ‘whispers’ that told them about Lyra’s destiny. Witches live much longer than humans and they believe that life begin in moment Eve’s fall. They also believe that Lyra is another Eve whose destiny is to save the world. The main witch, Serafina Pekkala, helps Lyra because of her love with Farder Coram who saved her life but also because of Lyra’s importance for the world.

3.       3. Why does only Lyra think that Dust is good?

From the first moment Lyra heard about Dust in Jordan College she becomes obsessed with it. She finds out on any possible way more things about Dust. From the moment Ms. Coulter said word Dust Lyra admires her. Being with Ms. Coulter Lyra learns many bad things about Dust. But being with gyptians Lyra hears story about her parents who are exploring Dust too. Even though she is frightened Lyra rescues kids from evil Gobblers who explore Dust. Losing her friend and passing through many bad situations Lyra realizes that people who explore Dust are evil and they think that Dust is bad which does not mean that’s truth. Seeing what Dust can do Lyra thinks that Dust is actually good.