Complete the following work prior to the first class session on February 3, 2010.
PRE-READING ACTIVITY: The purpose of pre-reading activities is to engage the reader in thinking about the text about to be read, to whet the reader's appetite and help connect her prior knowledge to the literary work that is about to unfold. The following is the first part of an activity known as KWL (what do you already know, what do you want to know, what did you learn).
After looking at the back and front of The Golden Compass and reading all the front matter through the table of contents, write a few sentences stating what you already know, OR using your prior knowledge, what you can guess the first five chapters might be about, given the quote from Paradise Lost that sets a context for the story, and the titles of the chapters. Write briefly in response to each chapter title (not separtely to the quote).
Quote:
Into this wild abyss,
The womb of nature and perhaps her grave,
Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire,
But all these in their pregnant causes mixed
Confusedly, and which thus must ever fight,
Unless the almighty maker them ordain
His dark materials to create more worlds,
Into this wild abyss the wary fiend
Stood on the brim of hell and looked a while,
Pondering his voyage....
John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book II
Chapter one: The Decanter of Tokay
Chapter two: The Idea of North
Chapter three: Lyra's Jordan
Chapter four: The Alethiometer
Chapter five: The Cocktail Party
Now write a question for each chapter that you hope will be answered as you read; what do you want to learn?
Next, read the first five chapters making notes about what you LEARNED as you read. Bring these notes and your book to class to use in a discussion of the chapters.
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What I Know
ReplyDeleteI’ll assume from the picture on the cover that this is a work of fantasy because of the young girl and the mouse riding on top of the polar bear. The quote from Paradise Lost implies that this book will be an adventure. The phrase “wild abyss” leads me to believe that this is a dangerous journey into the unknown.
Chapter Titles
1.The Decanter of Tokay: Because I know what a decanter is I could have assumed that Tokay is wine, but when I first looked at this chapter title I honestly had no idea what to expect.
2.The Idea of North: Because “North” is merely an “idea” I would assume that it is some uncharted land. Maybe some people believe that this land doesn’t exist (like the New World) this chapter will discuss the idea of the North as a new world.
3.Lyra’s Jordan: The back of this text discusses how Lyra is “content to run wild among the scholars of Jordan College,” so I would assume that Lyra’s Jordan is the College from Lyra’s (a young girls) perspective rather than the perspective of a scholar.
4.The Alethiometer: I have absolutely no idea what this is. By including the suffix meter, I can conclude that it is a measurement device.
5.The Cocktail Party: It is pretty self explanatory that the setting of this chapter takes place at a cocktail party. Something significant may happen at this cocktail party, thus the reason for devoting a whole chapter to it.
What I Want to Know
•Chapter One: Why did the Master try to poison Lord Asrial?
•Chapter Two: What is “Dust?” Why is Dust a problem? Why doesn’t Iofur Rakinson have a demon? Is he not human (or not like Lyra and the others)?
•Chapter Three: What is the purpose of the kidnappings? Are the Demons similar to what we would call our souls? Is this why the monkey demon lures the children’s demons first?
•Chapter Four: What is the Alethiometer? Why is Lyra not to show it to anyone? Why can’t the Master prevent Mrs. Coulter from taking Lyra?
•Chapter Five: Is Mrs. Coulter just a pawn used for luring children, or is she really in a position of authority? What do the kidnappings and Dust have to do with each other?
Kristi Fritsch:
ReplyDeleteWhat I know: The quote from Paradise Lost sets the tone for a dark adventure that would lead one to believe it would be about the unknown and creation ("...His dark materials to create more worlds"). Possibly this adventure is about the "origin" of things and how the order of the world came to be.
I actually started reading this book last year around this time, but I only made it to the beginning of the fifth chapter. I have also seen the movie, however since I haven't read the entire book I do not know how accurate it is. I originally got into it because a lot of the words that the author made up are derived from Greek words (like "Alethia" meaning truth, and "daemon/demon" meaning spirit or ghost). I do know that the book/series is about a little girl named Lyra who lives in a fantasy world that is similar to our world. She's taken care of by her uncle and is raised in Jordan College. She also has a little daemon called Pan.
Chapter 1, The Decanter of Tokay: Since I have read the beginning, I believe (if I can recall correctly) that this chapter is about a decanter of liqour that is poisoned.
Chapter 2, The Idea of North: This chapter title implies that "north" is not so much a place that people visit frequently, but an idea. Most people know of it, but not about it.
Chapter 3, Lyra's Jordan: Since Lyra is raised in Jordan College, this chapter is about how she perceives the college and also about the places and adventures she gets into while there.
Chapter 4, The Alethiometer: "Alethia" is the Greek word for truth and using it with the term meter would mean that an Alethiometer is a device that measures truthfulness.
Chapter 5, The Cocktail Party: This title implies that the chapter is about a Cocktail Party. This must be a pivotal point in the book for Lyra.
Questions:
Chapter 1: Who are Lyra's parents? What kind of relationship does Lyra have with her uncle?
Chapter 2: Why are people afraid of dust? Why is dust so secretive?
Chapter 3: Who actually watches Lyra if her uncle is away? Who is kidnapping the children and why?
Chapter 4: Why is the Alethiometer given to Lyra? Is there a deeper relationship between Lyra and Ms. Coulter? Who is Ms. Coulter and what is her mission?
Chapter 5: How will the cocktail party impact Lyra's adventure? Is Ms. Coulter part of the kidnapping conspiracy?
Nancy Gagne
ReplyDeleteWhat I know:
I read this book many years ago and have seen the movie more recently. While I remember the general plot of the book and many of the characters that one meets along the way, I am surprised at how many details I do not remember. Also, I did not pay attention to the Paradise Lost quote’s relationship to this story last time around.
By positioning the quote at the front of his book, Pullman seems to indicate that this story concerns basic understandings of life and the world. Adding the quote’s four elements (earth, wind, fire, and water) used by the maker to create new worlds to the back cover’s synopsis, I assume that Lyra Belacqua, the protagonist, will have to voyage to the dangerous, cold, and far away North to find out if multiple worlds exist or somehow can be created. From Lyra’s outfit and profile on the front cover, she will befriend a bear who will carry her along on this journey.
Chapter 1: From the title “The Decanter of Tokay” and the Paradise Lost quote, my guess is that Tokay is either a type of wine or a place from which the decanter comes from. I also know that a decanter is a container that adds air to wine to let it breathe and let it come to life. Connecting this to the quote, the decanter may in fact be the pivotal item that begins the life of this story. I do remember that, ironically, it is preventing the death that the decanter could cause that is the start of Lyra’s journey.
Chapter 2: The title “The Idea of North” as the destination of Lyra’s adventure is confirmed by the back cover’s synopsis. Combined with the title, I know that magnetic north is an important setting on a compass that shows you which way to go. I assume that in this chapter we’ll find why north becomes such an important bearing for Lyra.
Chapter 3: I focused separately on the names Lyra and Jordan in the “Lyra’s Jordan.” Lyra is the name of a constellation derived from a musical instrument, which is found in the northern hemisphere. In terms of Christianity, Jordan is a location in the Middle East or the river where Jesus was baptized before he spent time in the desert and began his public ministry. Put together with the Paradise Lost quote and the back cover, Lyra’s Jordan is one of wildness and chaos, the place that she will leave behind to travel into the abyss.
Chapter 4: I know that “meter” means measurement, so “The Aleithometer” must be an instrument that measures something. In connecting to the quote, my guess is that it the person who reads this device will understand the basic nature of the world. I remember that the aleithometer, or Golden Compass, is given to Lyra to help her with her journey.
Chapter 5: From what I have read in other stories about cocktail parties, the chapter “The Cocktail Party” places Lyra in a setting where people hide their true selves while making small talk with one another. Thus, I surmise that at this cocktail party, Lyra will meet or find out that someone presents themselves as something he or she is not. From what the back cover tells us about Lyra, she herself doesn’t seem the type to go to cocktail parties, so she herself may represent herself falsely. In connecting this to Milton’s quote, I think this is the chapter Lyra may be introduced to the fiend in the story or the antagonist.
What I want to know:
Chapter 1: What is the true importance of the decanter? Is there something significant about the name Tokay?
Chapter 2: Why does the chapter title stress that north is an idea rather than a reality? Who is it an idea for?
Chapter 3: What is Lyra’s life like in Jordan? Will this chapter be a transition chapter as the beginning of Lyra’s journey into the abyss or the beginning of a more public life for Lyra?
Chapter 4: How does Lyra find out about the aleithometer? Who introduces it to her? What exactly does the aleithometer measure?
Chapter 5: What makes this cocktail party so pivotal in the story? Does Lyra meet someone at the party who is false? Does she realize it at the time, or does she find out later?
Michele, Kristi & Nancy: I'm excited to find your responses to my blog. Michele, you set the stage for our discussions with your prediction that the book may be about "a dangerous journey into the unknown." Kristi-how wonderful to have you in the course with your knowledge of word etymology. The aleithometer as a compass of truth... what a facinating idea! Nancy, I enjoyed your work on the names Lyra and Jordon. Superior authors, of course, choose words and names carefully to get a lot of work out of them, but I had not thought about the names in this story in that way.
ReplyDeleteYour responses here confirm for me what I've read in the research: that blogging can invigorate literature discussions and be oh so much fun. I can't wait to see what the remaining
nine of us have to say. Thank you for taking such a powerful lead! Bonnie
What I already know:
ReplyDeleteLike Nancy, I also read the His Dark Materials trilogy a number of years ago, and I have forgotten most of the details. However, I do remember greatly enjoying the first two books and really getting into the world that Pullman creates. Pullman writes in the front matter that this is one of three books and that the setting of the first place is a world that is similar to ours, but not the same. The back page reveals that the book is about a girl named Lyra who finds herself at the heart of an important conflict. The back page calls the conflict a “more-than-mortal” battle, which suggests that there may be gods involved.
Chapter one: The Decanter of Tokay: After reading this chapter title, my first thought is what or who is Tokay. Does Tokay own the decanter and it’s a relic or an important artifact? Or is it some kind of fine wine or other specialty?
Chapter two: The Idea of North: Since North is capitalized, it makes me think that it’s referring to a region and not to the direction on a compass. I’m wondering if the North is also a cold place and if that is where the polar bear on the cover is from.
Chapter three: Lyra's Jordan: The back of the book states that Jordan is the name of the college that Lyra lives in. I’m wondering about what this place is like. Is it welcoming? Is it stuffy? Is it dreary or soul-sucking? How does Lyra like the place she lives in? The title is “Lyra’s Jordan” and that makes me wonder if there is there a part of Jordan that she is familiar with that other people don’t know about.
Chapter four: The Alethiometer: How do you pronounce that word? I remember that it is crucial to the story, but I also remember that I never figured out how to pronounce it. I always just skimmed over it when I was reading it to myself.
Chapter five: The Cocktail Party: This strikes me as an odd title for a chapter considering the previous chapters (with the exception of the mysterious chapter 1) appear to be setting up the context of the book. It makes me think that this is where Pullman shifts from familiarizing the reader with his world to telling Lyra’s story.
Questions I hope to have answered in each chapter:
1. Who or what is Tokay?
2. How is Lyra’s world organized? How is it similar to or different from our world?
3. How does the setting of the first part of the book help us better understand Lyra’s character?
4. What is an alethiometer used for?
5. What does Lyra’s interaction with the other characters in the book suggest about her personality?
Julie, Welcome! I enjoyed the way you added to what Michele, Kristi and Nancy had to say. The twist you put on "Tokay" made me smile. None of us had thought to question when this might indicate a person rather than a thing. This is just he kind of high level thinking that can make pre-read activities so much fun, and motivate us to read for answers. Brave of you to admit you "skipped" over a word rather than try to pronounce it. That said, this is a fine strategy to use when reading silently. The context of a sentence can give us the meaning and we really don't need to pronounce a word unless we are reading aloud or, if we plan to TALK about the text. Since we do, I pronounce it phonecticdally Uh Leeth iometer. As Kristi pointed out... a little knowledge of Greek helps me know Alethi is prounounced with a long ee sound. I especially like your qusstion as to how THE SETTING helps us understnd Lyra. Expert authors use all the elements of fiction to develop character and that surely is what Pullman is doing here. This will be enjoyable to talk about on Monday.
ReplyDeleteWhat I know:
ReplyDeleteI know that "The Golden Compass" is a fantasy/adventure story. Judging from the strange, compass-like instrument on the cover of the book, in addition to the title, I know that a journey will most likely be a major part of the novel. The "Paradise Lost" quote hints at danger and other-wordly things.
What I want to know:
Chapter One: What is Tokay?
Chapter Two: Is North the destination of the journey?
Chapter Three: Why is Jordan so important to Lyra?
Chapter Four: What is an alethiometer?
Chapter Five: What does Lyra learn at the cocktail party that moves the novel forward?
What I know:
ReplyDeleteI recently saw the movie version of "The Golden Compass" so I know the basic plot, though I don't know how faithful the movie is to the book. The Milton quote, the cover art, and the summary on the back together suggest that this is a book about a young girl on a journey during which there are dark elements at play throughout. I do remember that her journey leads her North and the polar bear pictured on the front supports this. I do find it interesting that there is a quote from "Paradise Lost" used at the beginning of this book for a two reasons. First, because the quote mentions standing "on the brink of hell...pondering [a] journey" and hell summons up images of traveling down into a fiery depth whereas this story promises to take us up north to a cold and snowy destination. Secondly, though I admit that "Paradise Lost" is not my favorite nor the most memorable piece of literature I have read, I remember it as a story about Satan and how he tricks Adam and Eve into eating the apple and being banished from Eden. For a quote from this piece of literature to be used at the beginning of this novel suggests to me that in taking her journey Lyra will be removed from her own Paradise. But I could be reading too much into it and I should move on...
Chapter One: The Decanter of Tokay: I remember from the movie that someone tries to poison Lyra's uncle. I know that Tokay is an alcohol but that is all I know of it. I also don't remember why he was supposed to be poisoned.
Chapter Two: The Idea of North: I know that the journey leads North, but this title suggests that going North is a new idea and that it is, at the time this takes place, a mostly undiscovered country. This chapter will most likely introduce us to North and what role it will play.
Chapter Three: Lyra's Jordan: I would assume that this chapter is about Jordan College where Lyra lives. Perhaps this will be about the "paradise" she will lose in the course of her journey.
Chapter Four: The Alethiometer: I know from the quote on the inside cover of the book that an alethiometer is something that tells the truth. I also know a little girl named Althia and her mother told me it means truth and a meter is an instrument that measures, so an alethiometer would measure the truth. This chapter will probably introduce the alethiometer and hopefully hint at its purpose in the story.
Chapter Five: The Cocktail Party: I know from the movie that Lyra is brought to live with a wealthy woman and that Lyra runs away when she discovers that this woman isn't as nice as she seems. I feel like maybe this chapter will talk about this woman because a cocktail party is a gathering more suited to a fancy lady than the school where Lyra previously lived. This chapter will probably also bring us to a pivotal point in the relationship between Lyra and this woman because it is "the" cocktail party and not just "a" cocktail party.
What I want to know:
Chapter One: Why is the decanter so important? Why is it important that Lyra's uncle be poisoned?
Chapter Two: What is so special about the North? What is to be discovered there?
Chapter Three: Why is Lyra so connected to Jordan?
Chapter Four: Why is the alethiometer such an important thing for Lyra to have? How do you use it?
Chapter Five: What is the point of this cocktail party? Why is the cocktail party important to the story?
What I know.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading and looking through The Golden Compass cover, I reach the conclusion that this book will be full of adventure, mysteries, secrets and puzzles to unravel. The title of the book makes me question if it is referring to the cardinal points, which can be used to give the accurate direction. By reading the quote I assume that ‘womb of nature’ refers to that which cannot be seen but is yet to be realized or seen. The ‘grave’ in this case may mean the end of something. There might be a lot of confusion and disagreements amongst the character and lack of a one way channel.
Chapter 1. The Decanter of Tokay
Decanter is an attractive glass bottle usually used to store wine making it look attractive and appealing to drink. I wonder if Tokay is a form of wine in this decanter.
Chapter 2. The Idea of North
North is one of the cardinal points on a compass. This could be a mysterious place in the north that nobody has visited as suggested in the quote ‘wild abyss’ ‘of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire,’ but is yet to be discovered. Polar bears are only found in the north-pole, hence the use of one on the cover.
Chapter 3. Lyra’s Jordan
Lyra who is the main character assumes that this place called Jordan is her place.
Chapter 4. The Alethiometer
When I read this word the image of an hour glass came to mind. It must be an instrument used for measuring something; in this case I predict direction or right way.
Chapter 5. The Cocktail Party
A cocktail party is held in this chapter. The activities in this party may be significant.
Questions
Ch. 1. When master poisons the wine who does he have in mind? Why? Did he know that Lord Asriel would go to that room first?
Ch. 2. … “but it isn’t light. It’s Dust.” What is he referring to?
Ch. 3. Where are these children being taken to and for what purpose?
Ch. 4. The alethiometer was mentioned in chapter 2, “The alethiometer warns of appalling consequences if Lord Asriel pursues this research. Apart from anything else, the child will be drawn in, and I want to keep her safe as long as possible.” and now it has been given to Lyra.What is the Masters intention?
Ch. 5. Mrs. Coulter was least interested in what the master gave Lyra, she now sends her daemon to spy in her room. Has she learned something that she feels may jeopardize her intensions and if so, what?
From examining the front cover, I know the book is a work of fantasy. I know this because a girl is riding on the back of a polar bear, while being accompanied by a mouse. I also know this is the first book, but I’m not sure how many other installments there will be. This leads me to believe that the ending will leave me wanting more. From the summary on the back, I know this book is about a young girl that lives with scholars at a college. I also know that this girl will go on a mission – a mission that she is destined to either win or lose. From reading up to the table of contents, I know this book has won many awards, including: the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Prize for Fiction. The page before the table to contents lets me know that there are three books to this series. It also tells me that the setting of this book is in a universe like ours, but it will be different in many ways.
ReplyDeleteChapter 1: I assume that in the first chapter, a container of wine will be of importance.
Chapter 2: I would presume that “North” is going to be important.
Chapter 3: I would guess that chapter 3 is about the main character’s home.
Chapter 4: I have no idea. I don’t know what an alethiometer.
Chapter 5: This chapter will be about a party.
What I want to know:
Chapter 1: I want to know why the Master wants to kill Lord Asriel.
Chapter 2: What is “dust?”
Chapter 3: What do children have to do with “dust?”
Chapter 4: What was the Master going to say about Lord Asriel when he handed Lyra the alethiometer.
Chapter 5: I’m really nervous! Is Lyra going to be able to escape? Or will she get caught?
What I know:
ReplyDeleteBetween the quote from "Paradise Lost" and the covers of the book, "The Golden Compass" appears to be full of dangerous adventure into the unknown. This journey might involve many people but the ultimate battle is one in which the main character must face herself. A compass in and of itself points to directions, guiding people to a specific destination. Because of this, I expect this compass to do some of the same but on a supernatural level.
Chapter Titles:
1.The Decanter of Tokay: I would expect this bottle full of some kind of alcohol to play an important role in the beginning of this book.
2.The Idea of North: I think of exploration when I see this title because it had the word "idea" in it. This indicates that the journey might be traveling there without having been there first.
3.Lyra’s Jordan: The back of the book indicates that "Jordan" is a college, so I would assume Lyra goes to school there.
4.The Alethiometer: I'm not really sure about this, but it might have something to do with measurement or the compass based on the word "meter."
5.The Cocktail Party: I assume someone will throw a cocktail party and that something of importance might happen. Otherwise, it might be the last normal event to happen before the danger becomes a reality.
What I Want to Know:
•Chapter One: Why would the Master of Jordan College want to poison Lord Asriel? Is Lord Asriel evil? What do the two have against each other?
•Chapter Two: What is "Dust?" How does it affect people in real life instead of just photographs? Why doesn't it affect children the same way it affects adults?
•Chapter Three: What are the daemons, exactly? Protectors? Physical display of human emotion? Both? Who is kidnapping the children and what is happening to them?
•Chapter Four: What is an Alethiometer? Why can't Lyra show the Alethiometer to Mrs. Coulter? Who is Mrs. Coulter, what is her status, and how does she think she can help Lyra?
•Chapter Five: Like chapter 4, what status and power does Mrs. Coulter have? Does her daemon actually find the Alethiometer?
I enjoyed reading these recent postings on my blog. Allie,sad to be so hurried (as we all are) that one cannot dwell long and deep with a book. I love your comment that Lyra may be removed from her own Paradise in this story. For all of us, is there not a "fall from paradise?"
ReplyDeleteNatalie, thanks for pointing out that this book won the CARNEGIE award. This is the British equivalent to our NEWBERY MEDAL. Laura... underscore a quality this book MUST posess if it is to become classic...in it the main character must, in the end, face herself.HOW intriguing.
Looking at the front of the cover I see that Lyra is a girl who is somehow connected to a polar bear. The back of the book gives more details about Lyra's world. She is among scholars of Jordan College and there are Gobblers, witch clans, armored bears, and stolen children. I also learn there is a battle that she will be taking part in. This makes me wonder what is going on.
ReplyDeleteQuestions I have from the chapter titles are:
Chapter 1: What is Tokay?
Chapter 2: Is the North considered the North Pole or is this a place that does not exist in our world?
Chapter 3: Is Jordan where she lives or is this where she spends her time?
Chapter 4: What is Alethiometer?
Chapter 5: Why is a cocktail party an important enough idea to make it a chapter title?
I would like to learn the answers to these questions in the corresponding chapters. Hopefully there will be plenty more answers to the interesting characters that are mentioned on the back of the book.