There has been so much controversy over Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy especially with the release of the movie, The Golden Compass. I believe that these books deserve a close read because the common thought is that they are about killing god. The books do talk about killing “god” but Pullman’s “god” is a metaphor for organized religion- for the god that has been created, marketed, and twisted to fit the personal needs of corrupt leaders. The books are about how organized religion has created a “my way is right and yours is wrong” mentality. In other words, he attacks the idea that religion is “one-size-fits-all”. His novels are more concerned with human wisdom, science, and art- the abilities of the human mind (Dust is the embodiment of all these things)) and not necessarily with killing God. The books are about morality and what that means.

Those who condemn the books- as those who did with Harry Potter- do so because they refuse to step outside the box of commonplace thinking. Not everything can be taken at face value. Yes, it is easy to see the Christian “God” in these books, but it is more difficult to see the faults of Christianity in them.

As a HS English teacher, I think these books are important tools to teach free thought and questioning. The are not children’s books as American publishers and American commercialization have marketed. They are Young Adult Literature and should be read by mature 15 year olds.

For Pullman in his own words about “His Dark Materials” read here: http://filmchatblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/philip-pullman-extended-e-mail.html

Tags: Education