42 pages • 1 hour read
Philip PullmanThe Subtle Knife
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
How did Pullman change the plot of Paradise Lost for The Subtle Knife? Why might he have kept the elements he did? To what end did he change others?
Pullman draws from many literary sources for his work. Pick one, such as The Chronicles of Narnia series, and compare. In what way are the books parallel in terms of plot, themes, tone, and characterization? How are they different?
What do the Specters symbolize?
The Subtle Knife is the middle book in a trilogy. How does Pullman ensure that it stands on its own?
How does Pullman use foreign languages as a world-building tool in The Subtle Knife?
If you were from Lyra’s world, what would your daemon be? Why?
Are the characters in The Subtle Knife ruled by destiny, do they have their own free will, or is it a mix of both? Use examples from the text to support your answer.
What is the book’s philosophy on childhood, and how does Pullman characterize adults versus children?
How does Will come of age in the novel? How does he develop as a character, and in what ways does he still need to grow?
Research the philosophical references in The Subtle Knife and pick one related philosopher to research. Considering what you learn, how might they interpret the book?
Related Titles
By Philip Pullman
