When the Lion Becomes King: Courage Overcomes Fear
Theme Statement: People allow fear to take over in frightening
situations restricting them from making smart choices, however
motivation and self-confidence instill courage, all that is needed to
overcome these difficulties.
Thesis: Pullman juxtaposes Farder Coram and Lord Asriel to convey
the theme of courage through Lyra's acquired strength.
Topic Sentence #1: Pullman juxtaposes the fathering styles of Lord
Asriel and Farder Coram to transform Lyra from a fearful child to
strong woman, revealing the theme of courage.
Support #1:
Lyra battles her way through the country to bring Lord Asriel, her
father, the alethiometer with the intention of freeing him from prison.
When she finally reaches the end of her journey, she finds her father
ungrateful for her gift, relaxing in a warm home, bathed in luxuries,
"She couldn't trust him, but she had to admire him,...and the power of
his ambition" (Pullman 376). Pullman emphasizes "ambition" to prove
the fact that Lyra admires Lord Asriel's ambition despite her hatred
towards him. While people tend to be blinded by hatred, Lord Asriel's
ferociousness surpasses this to such an extent, Lyra cannot help but
notice it. Lord Asriel uses his ambition as a ticket to the world and can
do or get anything he wants.
Support #2
Lyra runs away from Mrs. Coulter, looking for shelter and stumbles
into the gyptians. There, Farder Coram works with Lyra to decode the
alethiometer, “Lyra looked at Farder Coram, wanting to say yes but
waiting for his approval” (Pullman 174). Pullman enforces "approval" in
order to emphasize the importance of Farder Coram's opinion for Lyra;
she looks up to him with love, respect, and admiration. A father
protects you, cares for your feelings, and would do anything to help
you, and therefore, his respect is necessary. Farder Coram portrays
this man, while Lord Asriel represents the opposite. While both Farder
Coram and Lord Asriel both act as "fathers", Pullman juxtaposes their
different styles of fathering.
Support #3
Lord Asriel kidnaps Roger so he can cut off Roger and his daemon in
order to find the entrance to another world. Thus, Lyra must climb to
the top of the mountain and save her dear friend, and as she begins
for wish for help something hits her, "'There was nothing that could be
gained by wishing for it. A final deep shaky breath, and she was
ready" (Pullman 389). With "ready" as the key word in the sentence,
Pullman portrays Lyra's strength by emphasizing her bravery; she is
prepared to do anything. Lyra must learn to stand up to Lord Asriel
and defend herself from him, while she has Farder Coram to guide her
along the way. Both characters instill strength upon Lyra by making
her prepared for every possibility; every time Lord Asriel forces her to
fight, she learns something new about courage and bravery, while
Farder Coram directly teaches her what she must do.
Topic Sentence #2: After allowing the fear to take over, Lyra soon
gains both self-confidence and motivation, causing her newfound
strength to flourish into bravery.
Support #4
Once Lyra is living with Mrs. Coulter, Mrs. Coulter's daemon and
Pantaliamon begin to fight. As the human to the daemon, Lyra is
feelings the immense pain that Pan is experiencing, "Lyra cried out...in
fear and pain, as Pantalaimon twisted this way and that" (Pullman 86).
Pullman uses Lyra's "fear" to show her character at the beginning of
the novel, emphasizing how she changes. She was scared and did not
know what to do in a difficult situation; she was a child. Pain and the
fear of pain were the only factors in Lyra's situation and without
courage her only solution was pleading for liberation.
Support #5
When the bears attack the balloon, Lyra falls out and is stranded,
alone, and must defend herself. She was tired and cold, but somehow
found a way to get up, "With an effort, as if her hands weighed a ton
each, she brushed it off" (Pullman 322). Pullman uses "effort" to show
that even though it was not easy, Lyra found the courage to get up
and move on. However, effort cannot come out of nowhere, thoughts
of Lord Asriel and her multiple accomplishments provided her the
courage to continue on. Although at first she may have felt lost and
afraid, she allowed her courage to become a part of her and was able
to recover.