The Moorchild: A dedication to all children.

The Moorchild is dedicated to all children who have ever felt different. I didn't really think too much of that dedication until I completed the book. I think the dedication is another way of saying that the book is dedicated to all children. I feel that every child- and adult- has felt different at some point in their lives. I know I've experienced the feeling both in childhood and as a young adult. Then and now, I'm grateful for my support system of family and friends who are always there when difficult thoughts or problems arise. We discussed in class today the arguments that McGraw made in this book about growing up female and without parents, and compared Saaski with Pippi Longstock. Pippi had a support system in her life- she had Tommy, Annika, and her animals. I feel that Saaski did not grow up feeling like she did not have a support system for most of the book. This changes toward the end. When it is discovered by the villagers that Saaski is a changeling, they want to throw her into a fire. Her "father" Yanno tells her that "they will not lay a hand on her", and promises to protect her. I think that Saaski feels comfort from this act of protection and love, and comes to the realization that having parents or people in your life who protect you and care for you is so important. I also feel that is why she takes enormous risks to return a stolen human baby to its real parents - who raised her. She knows how loved that child will be and how important that love is to have; and also realizes that she belongs back home, among others like her. Though she didn't have the best childhood and was taunted and teased often, she did experience affection and care, and had to follow some rules set before her. I think that all of that will not be forgotten as she goes back to life on the Mound and will shape her as she matures in a positive manner.

Daemons and Dust..

I'm glad this class offered me the opportunity to re read the Golden Compass. I read it in high school, but didn't really understand it, or think about it much after completing it. Then, and now I did find the daemons and dust to be the most intriguing and fascinating elements of the novel. I think it would be really interesting to have your own daemon. They seem to serve as physical representations of the human soul. I think one of the most fascinating things about daemons is that they are able to change form to reflect the myriads of emotional states their humans go through as children. Childhood is definitely filled with so many emotional states and so much change; it's no wonder the daemons change forms! The daemon does settle on a fixed animal when their human reaches adulthood, that they feel best reflects their human's inner nature. While reading I found myself wondering what forms my own daemon would take during my childhood and adolescence and what it would be fixed upon now. Daemons could be seen as their humans' consciousness; like having your own Jiminy Cricket with you at all times!


I also found "Dust" to be a very interesting character in the novel. I think dust represents different things to different people; illustrating diversity in thoughts. To me, dust represents original sin. I think that people are frightened by dust because dust can uncover their sins and cause them to feel their ramifications. It's hard to pinpoint in the novel is dust or good or bad as there are so many differing opinions by the various characters. I believe one of the reasons Lyra thinks that dust is good is because those she views as "bad people"(her parents - Lord Asrial and Mrs. Coulter) seek to destroy it. Lyra's quest to find the dust could be seen as an act of teenage rebellion.