The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass (Northern Lights)

9/24/2020

Philip Pullman

As a boy, Pullman loved reading Batman and Superman comic books. While living with his Grandparents following the death of his father, he discovered John Milton’s Paradise Lost which was a significant influence for writing His Dark Materials trilogy.

In 1996, Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) was awarded the Carnegie Medal, as well as the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. In 2001, Amber Spyglass won the Costa Book of the Year award and in 2005, Pullman received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award from the Swedish government (this is the largest monetary award in the world for children and young adult literature.) Pullman was knighted in 2019 for his service to literature.

World Context

One hallmark of an excellent young adult novel is the examination of powerful issues which raise difficult questions for the reader. And it is for this reason there is usually a backlash against the work or the author – or both. Think about Rowling’s Harry Potter or Collins’ Hunger Games. Both series, set in fantastical universes, challenged young readers to examine authoritarian leadership, oppression, evil, unjust wars, poverty and issues of belief or faith. And both series, deemed heretical, anti-authority, and violent, have been banned in many places throughout the world.

The response to His Dark Materials was no different. In fact, the American Library Association ranked the trilogy as the second most banned series in 2008 in reaction to the 2007 film adaptation of The Golden Compass.

Reading The Golden Compass or the whole trilogy can be done simply for pleasure, but teachers and parents could help young adult readers make the following connections:

The rise of authoritarianism
Retelling Milton’s Paradise Lost
Norse mythology concerning bears

"There's a plan to escape," Lyra said quietly.

"There's some people coming to take us away, right, and they'll be here in about a day. Maybe sooner. What we all got to do is be ready as soon as the signal goes and get our cold-weather clothes at once and run out. No waiting about. You just got to run. Only if you don't get your anoraks and boots and stuff, you'll die of cold."

"What signal?" Annie demanded.

"The fire bell, like this afternoon. It's all organized. All the kids're going to know and none of the grownups. Especially not her."

Their eyes were gleaming with hope and excitement. And all through the canteen the message was being passed around. Lyra could tell that the atmosphere had changed. Outside, the children had been energetic and eager for play; then when they had seen Mrs. Coulter they were bubbling with a suppressed hysterical fear; but now there was a control and purpose to their talkativeness. Lyra marveled at the effect hope could have.

Synopsis

Lyra, an 11-year-old, , journeys to the Arctic to rescue her missing friend, Roger, and her uncle Lord Asriel, who has been conducting taboo experiments with a mysterious substance known as “dust.” Lyra, avoiding the Gobblers and Mrs. Coulter who kidnap children for their own experiments, travels with the Gyptians, nomads who have lost many children to the Gobblers, and Iorek Byrnison, the royal heir of the famed armoured bears.

Learning Connections

The Rise of Authoritarianism

Teaching Six Big Ideas in the Constitution, National Archives
What’s Driving the Rise of Authoritarianism and Populism in Europe and Beyond? World Politics Review
The National Constitution Center offers excellent, free lesson plans and resources for U.S. Constitutional education.
- Civil Liberties and Rights Worldwide, AP Comparative Governments and Politics in Partnership with The National Constitution Center
- Perseverance and the First Amendment, The Bill of Rights Institute with the National Constitution Center

Comparing His Dark Materials to Milton’s Paradise Lost

12 Enlightening Facts About His Dark Materials, Mental Floss article; excellent background information on the trilogy
Imitating Milton: The Legacy of Paradise Lost, Jon Laurence

Norse Mythology about Bears

Berserkers and Other Shamanic Warriors, Norse Mythology for Smart People
Norse Lore: Polar Bears, Yuletide and Berserker Rituals in the Sagas, Bjorn Larsson Legendo Entertainment – I would not normally include this type of link for educational purposes; it is well-written, although it does mention a new multiplayer game.

Ages: 12+ Grades: 6th - 12th; 397 pages. Lyra sets out to find her best friend and ends up helping to save many kidnapped children from horrible experiments.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.