What is the theme of the Subtle Knife?

Answer 1

The story begins with twelve-year-old Will Parry killing a man. In his efforts to escape the police, he discovers a portal that leads to Cittàgazze, a city in another world. The city looks recently deserted, and Will chooses a house to find food. It is here that he meets 12-year-old Lyra Belacqua and her daemon Pantalaimon, who came here after entering the hole in the sky that her father, Lord Asriel, created at the end of Northern Lights. Meanwhile, the witch Serafina Pekkala, who was separated from Lyra during a battle in Northern Lights, is searching for her. She discovers that the Magisterium and Lyra's mother, Mrs. Coulter, have learned of the prophecy surrounding Lyra and plan to destroy her. She calls a meeting of the witches council. The witches vote to band together and join Lyra's father, Lord Asriel, in his fight against the Magisterium. Scoresby ventures out to find the explorer Stanislaus Grumman, who is rumored to know of an object that gives protection to whomever holds it. Back in Cittàgazze, Will and Lyra become allies; they also discover they come from parallel Oxfords. Will and Lyra decide to travel back into Will's world to gather more information: Will is seeking information about his father, while Lyra is looking for Scholars who know about Dust. The alethiometer tells Lyra where to find her Scholar, but informs her that she should put her mind to helping Will find his father. However, Lyra is curious to learn more about the nature of Dust and goes to Oxford University to find the scholar, Dr. Mary Malone. Dr. Malone shares Lyra's interest in Dust, which she calls "shadows." Lyra returns with Will to Cittàgazze. Despite the alethiometer's message, Lyra revisits Dr. Malone the next day. She escapes from a trap and is offered a ride by a man she had met the previous day, Sir Charles Latrom. To her dismay, Lyra soon discovers that Sir Charles has stolen her alethiometer and she asks Will to help her retrieve it. When Lyra and Will confront Sir Charles, he admits that he has stolen the alethiometer. He makes an agreement with the pair that if they retrieve a certain knife from Cittàgazze and give it to him, he will return the alethiometer to Lyra. The pair successfully retrieve the knife, but Will loses the last two fingers on his left hand. This signifies that he is the new bearer of the Subtle Knife, a tool that can create portals between worlds and can cut easily through anything. Realizing that Sir Charles is not trustworthy, Lyra and Will decide to use the knife to steal the alethiometer. While doing so, Lyra sees that Sir Charles is meeting with Mrs. Coulter, who Sir Charles has brought from Lyra's world. She realizes that Sir Charles is really Lord Boreal, a friend of Mrs. Coulter who came to Will's world long ago and established himself in a position of power. Will, overhearing their conversation, also hears news of his father, who had discovered a doorway between the worlds. Will and Lyra return to Cittagazze, where they are found by Serafina Pekkala. She attempts to heal Will's wound with a spell, but fails. They then continue on to find Will's father. Back in Will's world, Dr. Malone is visited by Sir Charles, who tells them that their funding will be discontinued if they do not cooperate. Dr. Malone quits her job, but returns later that night and takes Lyra's suggestion to attempt to talk to the Dark Matter using "words." She discovers that she is to play the "serpent" and all her life's work has led to this. The Dust also tells her where to begin her journey and instructs her to destroy her work. Lee Scoresby finally finds Grumman living as a shaman known as Jopari. Grumman, who summoned Scoresby, knows of the Subtle Knife and how the bearer can help Lord Asriel's cause, which will save them all. They set off in Scoresby's hot-air balloon and Grumman explains that the Subtle Knife is also how the Spectres came into the world. Upon reaching Cittàgazze, however, they are caught by the Magisterium's army. Scoresby dies while holding off the soldiers, giving Grumman a chance to escape. Mrs. Coulter tricks Sir Charles into revealing the secret of the knife. After murdering him, she catches a witch and tortures her, causing her to reveal not only Will and Lyra's location and their protectors, but that Lyra is fated to be the second Eve. Mrs. Coulter states her intention to destroy Lyra rather than risk a second Fall. Serafina goes to aid Scoresby, having heard his last plea for help. The rest of the party continues on. Will, unable to sleep one night, wanders up a mountain and finds Grumman, who staunches the bleeding in his hand and instructs him to take the knife to Lord Asriel, as it is the tool Asriel needs to win the great war that he is preparing against The Authority. They have a brief moment in which they realize they are actually father and son, but then a vengeful witch who loved Grumman murders him, as he had not returned her love. Will returns to camp to find a pair of angels, Balthamos and Baruch, waiting to guide him to Lord Asriel. He agrees and goes to awaken Lyra, but discovers that she is missing. Will grabs Lyra's altheiometer that was left behind and goes with the angels.

Answer 2

The theme of "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman revolves around the idea of parallel worlds, the power of knowledge, and the exploration of different ways of thinking and being. It delves into the complexities of good and evil, the nature of consciousness, and the importance of personal agency and choice.