The genius of Phillip Pullman

RELATED HISTORY

The name of the trilogy was "His dark materials" and it started in 1995. The first volume of the trilogy that would reach the status of a classic was named Northern lights. The Americans thought that the title was dull and unattractive and they chucked the title and renamed it The golden compass which, in my opinion is one classy title (One of my favorites) The golden compass or Northern lights was a immediate success. Two other books followed, the subtle knife and the amber spyglass. His dark materials sold more than fifteen million copies, received intense acclaim by both readers (Critics too, are readers of books, they just are more passionate) and the author, Phillip Pullman, probably ran out of his space in his trophy room. The trilogy was turned into a successful radio and theater versions. In Friday, the movie of the first book (They stuck to the American title) was released. I simply took the free tickets that I won in a contest and watched the movie. But before watching the movie, I found the title (and the promos) so attractive that I got the book and had the time of my life.

THE BLOGAVENTURE

His dark materials, is named after a (Very interesting) phrase in Milton's Paradise lost. I thought that the title of the trilogy was very intriguing. The reason was because of the usage of "His". "He" is a word that is often used to refer to god in the English language. I inferred that this must a series about the (supreme) authority of god.

How wrong I was.

This was anything but pro-Christianity. I was surprised that the first sentence was not, "God and his followers have ruined the universe." or "God is terrible...I will tell you a story to tell you his true self." This level of atheism was a surprise. Everybody knows that the church is a very quick tempered figure. Pullman was a very bold man to write a trilogy that challenged our religion and I admire him for that.

One by one he attacks the fundamental principles of Christianity.

First he attacks the church's mission to help our helpless world by creating magisterium. The magisterium is a more crueler version of the catholic church in a parallel universe. The Magisterium (like the Catholic church was once like) is a figure that is tyrannical and nosy in everything that the people in the other world do. Furthermore it is more strict about the idea of heresy and prevents free-thinking and liberty to do what one wants to do.

Second, he attacks the theory that god created the world (THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE LIMIT!!!)

Third, god is like that grumpy Grandfather of yours (WHAT!!!)

Fourth, Heaven and hell do NOT exist and instead there is bleak world that always reminds you of your worst memories (Let me think)

And so the list goes and goes, each entry making Christian groups more and more mad.

But that is not all.

The intention of His dark materials is not to make you reject Christianity, but to make you think about the dangers of the extreme belief in one's religion. There was some Christian leaders who view it as a work underlining the dangers of dogmatism.

It is not a anti-christian piece of fantasy but a warning, a "Beware" sign. I could not help thinking about (and agreeing) with the genius of Pullman and the points on religion.

After reading them I was totally thinking about how religion was misunderstood and the devastation it brought. 9/11, the caste system and the inquisition are all the products of accepting religion as a master instead of a guide.

Religion is a set of ideas that guide us to do the right thing. That is what I thought after reading His dark materials.The books did not point them out. I did.

LEGACY

To frank with you, I finished reading The amber spyglass just before heading to the theaters. That was one of few endings that actually touched my heart. Only three other books (Harry Potter and the deathly hallows, Life of Pi and The kiterunner) have affected me in such a way. I was sad that the time I spent so little time (three weeks, I read fast) with those wonderful books.

And to add to the fuel, the movie was TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It did not follow the book and the changes in the plot were totally unnecessary. I would fallen asleep if the acting of the new child actress wasn't (really) good and the visual effect was (amazingly) good. It is worth watching but I would stick to Lord of the rings and the books. The movie is disappointing and (almost) boring.

-Charlie Green

What should I write about?

RELATED HISTORY

According to Socrates, our conscience are here to help us out. Well he is wrong. Consciences are here to DESRTOY us.

THE BLOGAVENTURE

I love writing my blog. I crop up great ideas. Sometimes, the ideas are a bit down-to-earth.

OK,OK,OK! One beautiful Sunday morning that was ruined by thunderous clouds that threatened to pour rain over our heads (Gog curse those clouds), I sat with my computer. I was going to write my blog to pass my time.

"OK, so today's blog will be about a...hippopatammus."

Who in the name of all the hippos in the world would read a post on a hippopatamus?!? That is cuckoo!!! I, your dutiful (only a little bit) and (Mostly) tyranical, dictatorial and bossy concsicence won't let that happen. Not until you get a new conscience!!!

"OK, then not on hippos."

I was desperate. Those disrespecting clouds were still abusing my birth-right to go out and do...wait...do I actually do anything outside?


"Then about how the big, bad clouds ruin the days of mankind and puy them in the ugly furnace of boredom!!! Yeah this is gonna work!!! Yeah I am-"

Then my conscience came back.

Hullo. Why am I stuck with you. CLOUDS!!!!! Did somebody snatch your brain your brain to see if it works.

"Yeah I am NOT gonna write about clouds."

I have a horrible conscience.

Then what are gonna write about!!!

I want to get a new conscience that does NOT bug me and does not give opinions.

If you ain't gonna write 'bout anything! End the blog!!! You're out of ideas!!!!

NO!!! I HAVE to write about something. I can't end this blog. There are little posts and-

Then my conscience bugged in.

Well you can start a new blog. Or just write a novel

No, Fred (Yes, my conscience has a name) the editors are ruthless. They only want novels where one of the characters was fired by George Bush and became mad!!! They only want politics. That is what they want!!!!

But you could hand-publish it.

Nay!!! Too expensive!!! I am no millionare, Fred.

Then rob a bank. Use that ugly halloween costume and rob Bill Gates of all his money. I am one evil conscience.

Fred (I like the idea of a conscience having a name, it is FUN) I can't rob a bank and Bill Gates. Haven't you watched any of the bank heist movies with me. They will butcher us alive.

Nah!!! Conscience don't like movies, we exist only to boss human beings arounds. Someday, we will reach the height of our powers and then we will take over...

Fred!!! How many times have I told you not to act like a evil-genius-conscience-ready-to-rule-the-earth-and-the-universe!!!

OK. I am getting bored. Do something bad. Then I can trouble you. I will leave you to meet my conscience buddies and give them tips to oppress their human-beings. This is going to fun!!!

At least I got rid of Fred.

Now what should I write about?

Maybe I should write about Fred!!!

He is gone. I will make him look more evil. What will Socrates think?!? He's dead, won't care.

So I wrote this post and when I finished this sentence Fred came back

Yawn!!! I told george that it is OK to intersect the brain of your human brain and I told Freddie to ride his like a horse and I told Olga to speak in Russian to her American Human-being in times of need. Did you write anything? I bet you didn't.

I wrote about you, Fred.

Ohh. Did you reveal any of my plans of world-domination?

Err...no.

Good. The WCSS or the World Conscience Secret Society would kill me if they find out.

"Yeah." I said grinning. "Don't worry about your downfall."

I wanted to laugh aloud.

LEGACY

Fred is going to attend a WCSS meeting. Let's find out what will happen to him! Maybe I will get a new conscience that is a sweet grandma type.

-Charlie Green