The Golden Compass

Pullman draws on religious ideas and criticisms to shape the basis of the story. While there are critiques of organized religion embedded into the work, his primary focus is using spirituality to create a fantasy world and raise spiritual and philosophical questions about the nature of religion and souls. Pullman’s The Golden Compass is not as overtly critical of organized religion as he has been in interviews and essays, but he does hint at strong criticisms of those who misuse Christianity and force their beliefs on others. This can be seen through characters like Mrs. Coulter, who has a perverted understanding of religious ideals and forces her will on others, which ultimately harms them.

The title of The New Yorker article that references Pullman’s religious views, “Far From Narnia” (2005), alludes to how Pullman offers a spiritual fantasy at the other end of the spectrum (Miller, Laura. “Far From Narnia.” The New Yorker. December 25, 2005). While The Chronicles of Narnia (1950-56) are revered as Christian works with many religious parallels, one can read Pullman’s His Dark Materials series as a spiritual fantasy with an entirely different message about Christianity and the nature of organized religion.