Last Rotation
Question Commander
1.) Based on what you have read in The Golden Compass, what would you consider Daemons to be?
Personally, I believe that a Daemon is the part of a person that is creative, unique, and original. Children often have much more free imagination than adults. They are the ones who play "pretend" and think up things adults would never dream of because as you grow older, your mind become more and more encased in reality. I believe that this is why Daemons take on permanent shapes when children hit puberty, because they lose some of the creativity and imagination that they had before. Also, at Bolvangar, the nurses are described as "bland" and "blank", and Lyra calls their Daemons "little trotting pets". Later, she learns from Mrs. Coulter that the nurses have undergone Intercision, and that is why they have this blank feel.
2.) Why do you think that there is a Taboo on touching other peoples' Daemons?
I believe that this Taboo is in place, because a person's Daemon is a part of their soul. Touching a Daemon that is not yours is literally touching someone else' soul. The breach of privacy that occurs when your Daemon is touched by someone else must be so awful that it is unthinkable even to try doing it. When the man in Bolvangar grabs Pantalaimon after Lyra is discovered in the ceiling, she immediately goes limp. The first few sentences after that scene are broken up: "wrong," "not supposed to touch," etc. This makes it obvious that touching someone else' Daemon is reaching into that person's soul.
3.) How is Lyra able to trick Iofur Raknison, even after Iorek Byrnison told her that it was impossible for her to trick a bear?
This is already stated in the book, but I think that it is a very significant point to bring up anyway. Iofur Raknison is able to be tricked into thinking that Lyra is a Daemon because he does not want to be human. His yearning for a Daemon of his own blinds him to reality. He tries so hard to be human - decorating himself in gold, attempting to start an institute, holding a doll on his lap as a Daemon... Because he has given up on his true nature, he can be tricked the way humans can be tricked, whereas Iorek Byrnison is proud to be a bear, and stays true to what he really is, so he cannot be lied to.
Question Commander
1.) Based on what you have read in The Golden Compass, what would you consider Daemons to be?
Personally, I believe that a Daemon is the part of a person that is creative, unique, and original. Children often have much more free imagination than adults. They are the ones who play "pretend" and think up things adults would never dream of because as you grow older, your mind become more and more encased in reality. I believe that this is why Daemons take on permanent shapes when children hit puberty, because they lose some of the creativity and imagination that they had before. Also, at Bolvangar, the nurses are described as "bland" and "blank", and Lyra calls their Daemons "little trotting pets". Later, she learns from Mrs. Coulter that the nurses have undergone Intercision, and that is why they have this blank feel.
2.) Why do you think that there is a Taboo on touching other peoples' Daemons?
I believe that this Taboo is in place, because a person's Daemon is a part of their soul. Touching a Daemon that is not yours is literally touching someone else' soul. The breach of privacy that occurs when your Daemon is touched by someone else must be so awful that it is unthinkable even to try doing it. When the man in Bolvangar grabs Pantalaimon after Lyra is discovered in the ceiling, she immediately goes limp. The first few sentences after that scene are broken up: "wrong," "not supposed to touch," etc. This makes it obvious that touching someone else' Daemon is reaching into that person's soul.
3.) How is Lyra able to trick Iofur Raknison, even after Iorek Byrnison told her that it was impossible for her to trick a bear?
This is already stated in the book, but I think that it is a very significant point to bring up anyway. Iofur Raknison is able to be tricked into thinking that Lyra is a Daemon because he does not want to be human. His yearning for a Daemon of his own blinds him to reality. He tries so hard to be human - decorating himself in gold, attempting to start an institute, holding a doll on his lap as a Daemon... Because he has given up on his true nature, he can be tricked the way humans can be tricked, whereas Iorek Byrnison is proud to be a bear, and stays true to what he really is, so he cannot be lied to.
I really like questions that you made, and really like your answers. Both are really did great and you put a lot of effort in. For me the best question and answer is number 3! Great job! :)
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful questions and some fantastic answers to go along with them. I especially like the first one which, though a central part of the story, does confuse many a ready.
DeleteIt is interesting that your first question is same as mine. Your answers are good with many details. I like the last question because in there you have a message that you should be proud of what you are and not to intend to be what you are not.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your questions and especially the greatly detailed answers, and my favorite was....... (drum roll please!) number 3 just like Jana! :) Great job for your role.
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