Dust in The Golden Compass Lora Kwon 8th Grade

Dust is a vital element that supports the overall themes of innocence and sin in The Golden Compass, connecting to the religious and moral philosophy in the world and how it may be more harmful than beneficial to humanity. Throughout the story, it is argued whether Dust is valuable to their society, or if its existence is unjustified, and these contrasting perspectives symbolize issues in the real-world.

Within author Philip Pullman's fantasy world, Dust is an invisible residue that has been ignored by most but is now frightening scholars and magical creatures. It is classified as an elementary particle, such as neutrons, protons, and electrons, and though nobody truly knows what Dust is, its importance is undeniable. The most intelligent and important scholars dedicate their lives to this subject and even they are unable to solve the mystery. In The Golden Compass, a girl named Lyra embarks on a treacherous journey to find the truth behind Dust. While Dust is not physically present in this book, the concept of Dust is thought provoking and used not only as a plot device, but as a powerful symbol.

Dust in this story represents the innocence in humans, and the controversy over this mysterious substance represents the differing...