'Spun Candy' anyone? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 08-09-2006, 02:54 AM

I'm not sure how far the Daemons=the Anima/Animus idea can be pushed. In Jungian theory the Anima/Animus is described as being (in appearance) the 'contra-sexual image'. In other words, for a man it will take the form of a woman & for a woman the form of a man. It may appear in some circumstances as an animal or an object (ie, a cat or the Moon/the Sea for the Anima) but this would be quite a rare occurence.

Pullman's daemons seem rather to reflect an aspect of the individual's personality, or even to symbolise the person's character/essential nature. Yet they are more than that, as they seem as well to have a separate personality/intelligence of their own. Either their true nature is very complex, the characters are seriously schizoid, or Pullman hasn't thought the idea through. Taking these options one at a time, we'd have to say, a) If the Daemons are merely 'symbols' they shouldn't have a separate consciousness, or feel emotions the individual does not feel, & certainly shouldn't know anything the individual doesn't; b) If they do have a separate consciousness this implies a 'split personality' & further implies that the individuals in Lyra's world are all psychotic; & c) if Pullman hasn't thought the idea through it wouldn't surprise me at all.

08-09-2006, 02:54 AM	#17
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	I'm not sure how far the Daemons=the Anima/Animus idea can be pushed. In Jungian theory the Anima/Animus is described as being (in appearance) the 'contra-sexual image'. In other words, for a man it will take the form of a woman & for a woman the form of a man. It may appear in some circumstances as an animal or an object (ie, a cat or the Moon/the Sea for the Anima) but this would be quite a rare occurence. Pullman's daemons seem rather to reflect an aspect of the individual's personality, or even to symbolise the person's character/essential nature. Yet they are more than that, as they seem as well to have a separate personality/intelligence of their own. Either their true nature is very complex, the characters are seriously schizoid, or Pullman hasn't thought the idea through. Taking these options one at a time, we'd have to say, a) If the Daemons are merely 'symbols' they shouldn't have a separate consciousness, or feel emotions the individual does not feel, & certainly shouldn't know anything the individual doesn't; b) If they do have a separate consciousness this implies a 'split personality' & further implies that the individuals in Lyra's world are all psychotic; & c) if Pullman hasn't thought the idea through it wouldn't surprise me at all. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."