Essay+Questions

Essay Questions

 **1.** Using examples from the book, explain how the author weaves the themes of power and betrayal into the story. What characters and episodes represent the misuse of power? How are people affected by this misuse? In each example, which characters try to rectify the situation? How? Do they succeed?

**2.** Explain what a daemon signifies to a person. What aspect of the person does his or her daemon represent? Why do you think the author chose, in most cases, to give a daemon the opposite gender of its person?

**3.** In The Golden Compass, many gray areas exist. Lyra is often confused trying to figure out who is "good" and who is "bad." Analyze three significant characters of your choice, explaining in what ways they are good, bad, and in the nebulous gray zones. Cite specific examples to support your analysis.

**4.** The issue of trust is constantly put to the test in The Golden Compass. Show how Lyra makes decisions regarding whom to trust and whom to be wary of. On what basis does she make these decisions? How accurate is she? Support your argument with examples.

**5.** A child's daemon changes while an adult's daemon has settled on a form.

1. Discuss the need to have a child's daemon remain changeable. Why is this important? How does this changeability benefit a child? 2. Discuss the pros and cons of having a daemon eventually take on one form exclusively. 3. Choose three adults' daemons and explain how each daemon complements and completes the person.

**6.** Lyra lies a great deal, especially to protect herself and others. Compare and contrast the reasons for her lies with the reasons that her parents, Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter, lie and withhold information. Are any of her parents' lies ever justified? Explain and support your answer.

**7.** Even though Lord Asriel is Lyra's father, Iorek serves as her father figure.

1. Compare and contrast Lord Asriel and Iorek. 2. Which one is more of a father to Lyra? Why?

**8.** Even though Lyra lives in a dangerous world with many secrets, lies, and backstabbing, the idealism and hopefulness associated with childhood often shine through her. Summarize three cases where Lyra's youthful outlook serves as a bright light in a dark world.

**9.** Explain ways in which the children use their innocence and goodness to outsmart the conniving, heartless adults. What message is the author trying to convey through these examples?

**10.** Philip Pullman creates a world in which humans cannot live without their daemons, who serve as animal spirit guides. This world is also inhabited by armored bears. Explain how the human-animal interactions and relationships enhance the story. Would the effect have been the same if the daemons were people instead of animals? Why or why not?

**11.** Compare and contrast Lyra's biological mother, Mrs. Coulter, with her mother figure, Ma Costa. How does Lyra feel toward each woman? What motherly qualities does each have? What does Lyra learn from each woman? Which one would you say is the "true" mother? Why?

**12.** Analyze how the war games Lyra plays with Roger and the other children early in the story prepare her for the challenges she later faces in real battle. Cite examples.

**13.** Much to her surprise, Lyra learns that people have heard of her wherever she goes.

1. Summarize instances where people have heard of Lyra. What do they know about her? How do they react when they meet her face to face? 2. Explain how Lyra is the "chosen one" in Pullman's story. How does her destiny guide her path and shape the course of her life?

**14.** Time and time again, Lyra is called upon to make difficult decisions and follow dangerous paths. Through it all, she summons an inner fortitude unusual for someone so young. Where does Lyra's inner strength come from? How does it serve her? What gives her courage to go on in the face of tremendous peril?

**15.** The author uses the alethiometer to reveal information to the reader without having to switch back and forth between other points of view. Explain how his decision to "see" through Lyra's golden compass enables Pullman to write a smoother, clearer narrative.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**16.** Compare and contrast Lyra's feelings towards Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter at the start of the story, when she does not yet know they are her parents, and at the conclusion of the book, when she knows they are her parents and has seen what they are capable of. How do her feelings evolve? How do her feelings tear her apart? Despite her mixed feelings, what does Lyra become certain of?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**17.** 1. Analyze the author's choice of an Arctic setting to magnify the severity of what is being done to the children and their daemons.

2. Compare and contrast Lyra's real world with what she glimpses in the portals to other dimensions.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**18.** 1. Describe the primary characteristics of these groups of beings in Pullman's story: Gyptians, witches, Tartars, armored bears.

2. List the strengths and weaknesses of each group.

3. For each group, cite one instance in which a characteristic of the group benefits Lyra's cause.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**19.** Despite the starkness of the story, there are instances where the reader feels a deep sense of warmth and comfort experienced by Lyra. Cite three examples of Lyra---and the reader---feeling safe and secure. Why does Pullman include these scenes in The Golden Compass? How do they benefit or enhance the story?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**20.** Various individuals and groups in the book have their own agenda.

1. Explain, in detail, how three of the groups or individuals depend on Lyra to further their goals.

2. How is Lyra able to stay on her own mission and complete her job when so many different factions want so much out of her? Support your answer with examples.