We often see in cartoons that when the main character is faced with a difficult decision, he can always refer to his inner conscience for guidance. Sometimes these guides are portrayed as miniature versions of the protagonist that pop on on each of his shoulders offering timely advice favoring both the negative and positive aspects of the dilemma. Since I was a child I have always wondered if these creatures exist within each one of us, and if in the process of decision making, we actually seek guidance from our "daemons." Lyra's daemon is attached to her, and it can be cut away, as Pan is only a companion in her adventures, and does not really control her fate. Her fate is determined only by her own actions and the choices she makes. Similarly, I think that though we all have the good and bad voices of reason inherent in our mind, body and soul, we are only able to be influenced by them. When we make a choice or go ahead with an action, we have freed ourselves from our daemons because we have acted as an individual who is capable of free will.
I often wonder if such personal daemons do exist and if they lose their significance as we become accustomed to making decisions that are based more on emotion and impulse rather than on practical reasoning and logic. It seems like we are more likely to weigh the moral consequences of our actions as a child when we are naive and afraid of what may happen. I believe, like it is shown in the novel, that personal daemons are most active when we are children but lose their worth as we grow older and come in contact with reality, greed, and temptation. This is especially true during adolescence and early adulthood, when we are searching for our "true" selves. At this time, we are most likely to suppress the influencing powers of our daemons and act upon only what we think we feel and experience, and not the actual reality of things. (As emotions, impulse, greed and temptation begin to cloud our judgement.)
2 comments:
So then you do not believe in fate as a predetermined destiny?
Did you have a problem with the Master discussing Lyra's future as fact?
I asked what the purpose of the seen was in class, and Professor Natov said it was for clarification of the plot line, to the young readers.
I think such a definitive claim could steer the over-thinker into over drive - while clarifying it to the more passive or less analytical tweens- Particularly for the youths struggling with their religious identity.
Also I really like how you've connected the fantastical tangible into something real and present in your second paragraph.
I agree, I believe we all had these daemons when we were younger, rationalizing rather than agonizing over every decision.
Me and my imaginary friend Emily worked many things out in my closet.
I think the problem with growing up and not listening to our 'daemons' anymore is not so much that they disappear, but that society impresses a certain 'form' upon them. We begin to accept society's morals and beliefs instead of what seems right, we begin to be complacent and no longer challenge everything the way we did when we were kids. When we were little, we always asked 'why', I think when we grow up we accept too much without question, thinking that the world won't change from our actions anyway.
I think this is one thing that Pullman is trying to say with his idea of daemons obtaining a fixed form - a certain definite character, but at the same time the rigidity that comes with it.
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