The Golden Compass.
The Golden Compass (1995) is the first title in the series Dark matter, created by English writer Phillip Pullman. Framed within the genre of fantasy literature, it is a book with very deep, well-crafted characters, around which different existential themes are developed. In this work nothing is absolutely black or white and the reader's conscience is called upon to judge the nature of certain elementary matters.
The Golden Compass —Whose original name is Northern Lights- earned Pullman the 1995 Carnegie Medal. In addition, this book became a great bestseller and was well received by literary critics. The title was also made into a movie in 2007 under the name of The Golden Compass (The Golden Compass), in a feature film directed by Chris Weitz and starring world-renowned stars such as Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, among others.
About the Author
Phillip Pullman was born in Norwich, England, on October 19, 1946. He is the son of Audrey Merrifield and Alfred Outram. A family tragedy marked his childhood, as his father was an RAF pilot who died in a plane crash. He is a graduate of Exeter College, Oxford (1968) and currently works at the University of Oxford. His greatest influences come from classical British literature, from the hand of authors such as John Milton or William Blake.
He is known internationally for the book series of Dark matter, whose volumes are: Northern Lights (1995) Dagger (1997) The lacquered spyglass (2000) Lyra's Oxford (2003) and Once upon a time in the north (2008). Previously this author had created another series called The Sally Lockhart novels. This sequence is composed of The curse of the ruby (1985) Sally and the northern shadow (1986) Sally and the tiger from the well (1990) and Sally and the tin princess (1994)
Pullman is a long-standing writer, his first book, The haunted storm (The enchanted storm) dates from 1972. He has also published some plays, among which stand out Frankenstein y Sherlock Holmes and the Horror of Limehouse (both from 1992). Several detective stories are also counted among his works, such as Detective Stories (1998) and “Whodunnit?"(2007).
Buses He has also ventured into the world of illustrated stories with titles like The wonderful story of Aladdin and the enchanted lamp (1993) and Puss in Boots (2000). His most recent publications include The good Jesus and Christ, the wicked (2009) Two skilled criminals (2011) and The wild beauty (2017). The latter is the first installment of a new series: The book of darkness.
Phillip Pullman.
The Parallel Universe of The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman's affinity for John Milton is evident in The Golden Compass. This is noticeable in the fantasy world that is presented to the reader. In this illusory space the soul of the people shows a physical form, separated from the body and an animal silhouette (the daemons). Another of the peculiarities of this universe is its cultural and technological development: electrical energy is called "ambaric" and physics is known as "experimental theology."
On the other hand, air transport is made up of zeppelins and hot air balloons. The highest governmental authority is called "Magisterium" and there are very intelligent talking armored bears (although they do not show daemons). There are also witches capable of living for hundreds of years and a nomadic people who inhabit boats (they are rarely in any other place than the sea): the “Gyptians”.
A key element of the plot is the belief in the legend that predicts the arrival of a girl whose role is key in the war that has this universe in suspense. Additionally, a terrible rumor has spread: the kidnapping of boys and girls who are taken north to subject them to terrible experiments has begun. This last aspect of the narrative led to the prohibition of the book in some American countries, because many parents' associations considered it a “scandalous” reading for minors.
Plot development and analysis
Place of events and first events
The story takes place mainly at Jordan College, Oxford. Here, Lyra Belacqua, the protagonist, is an eleven-year-old girl involved in an inconvenient situation. Out of nowhere news unfavorable to humans begins to come to light. In addition, Roger, his best friend, has disappeared when he needs it most, because he has the whole country against him and he knows he is being watched wherever he goes.
So that, Despite showing a completely fantastic world, many of the situations narrated by Pullman confront the reader with current issues, like the privacy and cruelty of humanity in the XXI century. Likewise, there are dilemmas on different existential issues such as self-knowledge, free will and the depth of human emotions.
Lyra alliances
To achieve her goals, Lyra seeks alliances in three very different beings.: Sarafina, a very sweet witch who embodies a motherly figure and helps the protagonist discover her purpose in the impending war; Lee Scoresby, a battle-hardened Texan balloonist with a warm and volatile character by similar measures; and Lorek Byrnison, an outcast armored bear with whom Lyra creates a special bond, allowing her to even be bigger, stronger and bolder than herself.
Intrinsic feminism
Pullman also shows a very powerful feminist message by reflecting in a girl all the admirable qualities and values. Lyra is described as a person of integrity with enough courage to oppose the power represented by The Magisterium. Similarly, the author reverses the common stereotype of the female protagonist who must be rescued.
Philip Pullman quote.
A parallel with the Inquisition
The staging makes direct reference to The Inquisition and the use of fear as a double instrument of control over the population. There is also a constant generation of misinformation on the part of the oppressors. Many of the horrors described are justified under the premise of the "common good" and the power structures are only faced by Lyra. It is she who breaks the stigma of obedient femininity by constantly breaking the prohibitions that restrict her.