Day Two

4/2

The Book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.

ISBN: 978-0-440-41832-0

Suggested By: Sissy Vaughn, Audrey Scott

Where: McAllen Public Library (Main)

When: 11:45 - 12:45

Music: Pedro the Lion - Achilles Heel

Company: Alone

Pages: 56-130 (74)

The Lead In: I have been thinking about the religious critique of this book. Apparently, Pullman was really trying to nail Christian children’s writing to the wall. The first 55 didn’t really show that, but as I read through this book I am hoping to see what all the fuss is about.

411 on the 55: The story has progressed much. Lyra is brought from the school to London to live with Mrs. Coulter. Coulter trains her on how to be a proper lady, shopping, parties, etc. Just before a party at Coulter’s house, there is a confrontation when Lyra disobeys and the evil side of Mrs. Coulter comes out.

During the party Lyra learns about what the Gobblers actually are: General Oblation Board, though she is still unsure as to what the kids are needed for. The worst part of her discovery is that Mrs. Coulter is the head of the GOB. At that point, she decides to run away. During her escape she runs into some Gyptians, a race of boat people (comparable to Gypsies or Cajuns), who she knew from her time in Oxford. They spirit her away to the Gyptian council, who decides they will protect her, for the time being.

Best Line from Today: “Quick now child,” he said quietly. “The powers of this world are very strong. Men and women are moved by tides much fiercer than you can imagine, and they sweep us all up into the current.” pg. 74

Fact on the Fiction: In Pullman's trilogy, a fundamental difference exists between innocence and experience. Here Pullman clearly speaks to William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience, which he regards as a huge influence on his work. Innocence is the stage of Adam and Eve before they leave the garden, and, in Lyra's world, of children whose daemons haven't settled. Dust is not attracted to innocence in the same way that it is to experience. In Lord Asriel's photographs, it seems that Dust accumulates only around adults, not around children. Sparknotes