Discussion+Questions+-+The+Golden+Compass

Explain what the General Oblation Board is. How is Mrs. Coulter connected to the board? What does the board have to do with Dust? With the missing children? What conclusions does Lyra reach regarding the General Oblation Board? The Golden Compass - Discussion Questions

Chapters 1-4

Chapter 1 The first chapter sets the tone of the book, showing that characters do things in secret, in hiding, or unethically. The objective of this lesson is to **explore the themes of secrecy and lack of ethics introduced by the author**.

 2) How is the theme of secrecy carried through this first chapter? - The Retiring room (women not allowed in) The poison in the tokay, Lyra has alethiometer but not allowed to tell.

**Objective:** Chapter 1 introduces the concept of daemons, a critical component of the entire trilogy. The objective of this lesson is to see what a daemon is to a person. Lyra's daemon is male and Lord Asriels daemon is male. How do the daemons represent characteristics of their people? How does a daemon interact with his or her person?

 2) Lyra's daemon changes forms, but Lord Asriel's daemon takes on only one form. Why do children's daemons change forms? Why don't adults' daemons change forms? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having one's daemon change forms?

**Objective:** Chapter 2 introduces a mysterious particle called Dust. The objective of this lesson is to better understand what Dust is and why it is being studied. 1) What does Lord Asriel say about Dust during his presentation int he reading room? What is the apparent significance of the child in the picture? Of the city in the lights?

 2) what do you know about Dust. Why is it important to Lord Asriel? Why does he want to understand it better?

Lesson 4 **Objective:** Chapter 2 Betrayal is a theme carried throughout The Golden Compass. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">The objective of this lesson is to see how the scenes and dialogues in this chapter carry the theme of betrayal. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) 1. Class Discussion: What does Lyra overhear while she is hiding in the wardrobe? What does the Master say when he thinks Lord Asriel cannot hear him? Why is the Master concerned by Lord Asriel's studies? Do you think Lord Asriel is hiding something from the Scholars?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. At the end of the chapter, the Master talks with Charles the Librarian about Lyra's role in the unfolding story. What do they say about the girl? What does the Master mean when he says that had his Tokay plan succeeded, Lyra would be safe a little longer? What does he mean when he says that Lyra will be a betrayer?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"><span class="ghead2" style="clear: right; color: #885500; font: normal normal bold 12pt/normal Verdana,Arial; line-height: 1.7em;">Lesson 5 <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**Objective:** Chapter 3 Children are going missing, and the townspeople blame a group called the "Gobblers" for the disappearances. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">The objective of this lesson is to explore how and why children are going missing and who the Gobblers are. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) What do we learn in this chapter about missing children? Who is disappearing? How are the townspeople reacting? Who do they think are behind the disappearances?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2) discuss the details of what happens to young Tony Makarios. How was Tony tricked? Where does he end up? Where are he and the other children going? What lies are they told? Within your group, come up with theories regarding the reasons these children are being abducted.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"><span class="ghead2" style="clear: right; color: #885500; font: normal normal bold 12pt/normal Verdana,Arial; line-height: 1.7em;">Lesson 7 <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**Objective:** Chapter 4 - A significant portion of this chapter is about Mrs. Coulter trying to win Lyra over. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">The objective of this lesson is to explore Mrs. Coulter's character and look into what she wants from Lyra. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) Who is Mrs. Coulter? How does Lyra meet her? What are her first impressions of the woman? What do we learn about Mrs. Coulter's life? What about the woman appeals to Lyra? What activities do the two do together? How does Mrs. Coulter treat Lyra? Why is she paying so much attention to the child? What does Mrs. Coulter want from the girl?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. Describe Mrs. Coulter's apartment. What do her furnishings and decor say about Mrs. Coulter?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3) Lyra is both enthralled and confused by Mrs. Coulter. Explain what intrigues Lyra about Mrs. Coulter and what attracts her. Explain Lyra's misgivings about the woman. Does Lyra have reason to be suspicious of Mrs. Coulter?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"><span class="ghead2" style="clear: right; color: #885500; font: normal normal bold 12pt/normal Verdana,Arial; line-height: 1.7em;">Lesson 8 <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**Objective:** Chapter 4 The alethiometer, which is the golden compass, is introduced. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">The objective of this lesson is to explore what the alethiometer is and how Lyra comes to own it. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) What is the alethiometer? Why is it called a "golden compass"? Is it really a compass? Why or why not? How does Lyra end up with the alethiometer? Who owns it before she does? Who gives it to her? What is Lyra told when she receives the alethiometer?

__**<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapters 5-8 **__

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 5 - The darker side of Mrs. Coulter emerges. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">The objective of this lesson is to observe how Lyra comes to distrust Mrs. Coulter more and more as the woman's dark side surfaces.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) How does Mrs. Coulter react when Lyra mentions Dust? How does Mrs. Coulter's golden monkey react? What does Mrs. Coulter ask Lyra about Dust? How does Lyra begin to protect herself? Why does she choose to lie?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. Recount the incident with the white handbag. Explain what Mrs. Coulter requests regarding Lyra's handbag, how Lyra responds, what happens between the woman's and the girl's daemons, and how Mrs. Coulter ultimately wins the argument.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. Talk about Pan's distrust of the woman and his dislike of her daemon. How does Pan counsel Lyra? What does he think she should do?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 4. Write about how Mrs. Coulter treats the snoopy journalist at her cocktail party. Discuss how Mrs. Coulter's true colors are revealed through this incident.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 5Mrs. Coulter throws a cocktail party, and Lyra learns more about Dust from some of the guests. The objective of this lesson is to explore Lyra's growing understanding of the mysterious Dust.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1)At Mrs. Coulter's cocktail party, who talks about Dust? How does Lyra join the conversation? What new information does she learn about Dust at the party? Why is Lyra so intrigued by Dust?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2.: Explain what the General Oblation Board is. How is Mrs. Coulter connected to the board? What does the board have to do with Dust? With the missing children? What conclusions does Lyra reach regarding the General Oblation Board?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. : As a whole group, debate the authenticity and accuracy of the following statement: "The General Oblation Board is a powerful, secretive group determined to destroy Dust."

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> Chapter 6 - Lyra runs away from Mrs. Coulter, whom she comes to fear, but faces numerous dangers in London's streets. The objective of this lesson is to take note of the perils Lyra encounters while wandering the streets of London.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1)Why does Lyra run away? How does she slip out unnoticed? Whom does she meet when she orders herself food? What do they talk about? What does he offer her? Why does Lyra lie to him? As Lyra looks for a place to sleep, who captures her? How do they capture Lyra? How does she fight back? What happens to her kidnappers?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. the men who attempt to kidnap Lyra. Who might they be? What goes through Lyra's mind when the men are shot by arrows? What goes through Pan's mind as he watches the men's daemons fade away?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. Lyra grows so distrustful of Mrs. Coulter that she is willing to leave the comfort and luxury of Mrs. Coulter's apartment to travel alone through London's streets. Discuss the pros and cons of staying with Mrs. Coulter versus running away and braving London's dangerous streets. If you were Lyra, what would you do? Do you feel she made the right choice? Explain your answer.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 6 In the midst of being kidnapped after running away, Lyra is rescued by the Costas. The objective of this lesson is to review what the Costa family tells Lyra about the Gobblers, missing children, and the North, as she travels with them.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) How is Lyra rescued from her kidnappers? Who rescues her? How does Lyra know them? Why does she end up going with them? Where are they traveling to? What do they talk about on the narrow boat? What does Lyra tell the Costas? What do they tell her?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. What does Lyra learn from Tony Costa about dangers of the North, including the Nalkainens (headless ghosts), the Windsuckers (formless drifters), Breathless Ones (people whose lungs have been removed), and Panserbjorne (armored bears).

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. Discuss Tony's theories regarding the Gobblers and what happens to the missing children, including his suspicions that the children are being used for medical experiments or eaten by the Tartars. Do you think there is any validity to his statements? Why or why not?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 7 - As she travels with the Costas, Lyra feels more and more at home with the Gyptians. The objective of this lesson is to show how Lyra finally finds a sense of family among the Gyptians.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) What does Lyra do as she travels with the Costas on their boat? What chores does she enjoy doing? How does she become more and more like the Gyptians? How do they become like family to her? What does she appreciate about the Gyptian way of life?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. Explain why Lyra feels as if she belongs with the Gyptians. Then, summarize what Ma Costa tells her as a caution. What key differences does Ma Costa notice between Lyra and the Gyptian people?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. talk about how the Gyptians protect Lyra. How do they hide her from the searching police? How does Lord John Faa, leader of the Gyptians, protect the girl?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> Chapter 7 - As Lyra speaks with John Faa and Farder Coram, leaders among the Gyptians, she learns the truth about her parents. The objective of this lesson is to review what Lyra learns about her parents and how she came to be born.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) Why has Lyra been watched her entire life by the Gyptian people? How does Lyra reply when John Faa and Farder Coram ask her if she knows who her parents are? What does John Faa then tell Lyra about the identify of her father? What details does he reveal about her father? What did the Masters and the Scholars promise regarding Lyra? Who is Lyra's mother?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. Recount the circumstances of Lyra's birth and early years, including Lord Asriel falling in love with Mrs. Coulter, who was married, and details of the duel that took place.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. True or False: "Mrs. Coulter may be Lyra's biological mother, but Ma Costa is Lyra's real mother." Have the class debate this statement.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> Chapter 8 - Power and revenge are illustrated through the story of Lord Asriel's duel and the Gyptian people's request for vengeance. The objective of this lesson is to see how the author handles the use and misuse of power and the topic of revenge through the stories of Lord Asriel's duel and the Gyptian people's anger toward their children's abductors. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) Ma Costa fills Lyra in on more details regarding the duel between Lord Asriel and Mr. Coulter. What does Lyra learn about the duel? How does the author portray the use or misuse of power in this account? What messages is the author giving regarding excessive power?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 2. Describe John Faa's response to his people when they ask about getting revenge against those who took their children. How does his answer show wisdom? What is John Faa's priority? Does this demonstrate good use or misuse of power? Explain.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> 3. Small Group Activity: In small groups, compare and contrast the themes of power and revenge in Lord Asriel's actions that led to the murder of Mr. Coulter and in John Faa's words that bring calm and temperance to the angry Gyptian families.

__Chapters 9-12__

<span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;"> <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 9 Lyra reaches a breakthrough when she can finally get an accurate reading from her alethiometer. The objective of this lesson is to review the circumstances of Lyra's breakthrough that makes the alethiometer a useful instrument for her. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1. Prior to this chapter, how did Lyra's attempts to use her alethiometer turn out? What changes in this chapter? How does Lyra reach a breakthrough with the alethiometer? What information is she attempting to receive? What answer does she get? How does she know that she has successfully received a message from the alethiometer?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">2. Summarize the account of Lyra seeking an answer from her alethiometer regarding Mr. de Ruyter, head of espionage. What does she set the dials to? Where does the fourth needle stop? What does this mean? When does she accurately interpret the message?

3. : Have the class take sides and debate the following: "Now that Lyra knows how to use her alethiometer, things will be easier for her."

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 10 - Chapter 10 introduces two new key characters---one a witch and the other a bear. The objective of this lesson is to get to know the new characters---the witch Serafina Pekkala and the armored bear Iorek Byrnison.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1)What does Farder Coram tell Lyra about the witch he rescued 40 years ago? What does he say about witches and their daemons? At Trollesund, why does Farder Coram inquire about Serafina Pekkala? Who is she? Why does Farder seek her assistance? What does the witch consul tell Farder and Lyra about Serafina? What is she queen of?

2. discuss the circumstances leading to Lyra meeting Iorek. What conversation do Coram and Lyra have with the bear? What do they request? How does the bear respond?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Chapter 11 A deep, trusting relationship develops between Lyra and the bear Iorek. The objective of this lesson is to observe the seeds of a beautiful, trusting friendship between a young child and a dangerous armored bear.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) What does Lee Scoresby, the balloon aeronaut, say about Iorek? Where does Lyra search for Iorek? What does she see the bear do to a truck? What does Pan do when Lyra gets scared and wants to leave? How does Lyra help find Iorek's armor? What does she make the bear promise before she reveals the location of the armor?

2. Describe why Lyra is drawn to Iorek despite his great size and frightening fierceness. How does their friendship develop? How does Pan help? How does Lee Scoresby help?

3. When the bear goes into a rage, the police try to stop him but cannot. Together as a class, explain how it is that Lyra can get Iorek the bear to calm down when nobody else can. .

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;"> Chapter 12 In Chapter 12 the reader learns about the Bolvangar, which is where the missing children are kept. The objective of this lesson is to learn more about the Bolvangar. <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">1) : Why does John Faa want Lyra to consult her alethiometer regarding the Bolvangar? What does Lyra learn about this place? How is it guarded? Who are the Tartars? What daemons do the Tartars have? How is the Oblation Board involved in what happens at the Bolvangar?

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">2 - In small groups, discuss the witches' involvement with the Bolvangar. Why are some witches helping the Gyptians and others working for the Oblation Board?

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