The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass

by Phillip Pullman

1.The author tells us that The Golden Compass takes place "in a universe like ours, but different in many ways." How do you think Lyra's universe relates to ours?

2. What is a daemon? What function do they serve? Would you like one? What form do you think it would most often take?

3. Lyra's friend the sea captain says, "when your daemon settles, you'll know what sort of person you are." (147). What do you think the daemon settling represents?

4. Describe Lyra. What kind of person is she? Do you think you would like her? What are her faults?

5. In what ways is Lyra's world different from our own?

6. What do you think "Dust" is? What purpose does it serve?

7. How would you describe the process of "cutting"? What do they hope it will achieve?

8. In what ways are Iorek and Lord Asriel alike?

9. Did the ending surprise you? Did it leave you satisfied?