Ms. Neville's Class Resources

About two years ago, I started reading Phillip Pullman’s book The Golden Compass after several people (colleagues AND students) recommended it. I enjoyed the first chapter or so, but then got caught up in other reading and research that had to be done. When I learned a few months ago that a movie version was being prduced, I dove back into it to finish. I’m almost to the end, and I must say it is a beautiful book. The symbolism in it alone is breathtaking. The setting is used exquisitely as more than just a backdrop for the plot — it seems to take on a life of its own. I’ll leave out details so that I don’t spoil the story for anyone, but I did want to at least quickly recommend it.
I understand that lately there has been some controversy over this piece of literature, and I’m glad that 3rd period has been able to use Fahrenheit 451 and some of Ray Bradbury’s other writings as a springboard to discuss how important it is that we keep an open dialogue going about such things. This is an amazing and diverse world we live in, and controversies are a natural part of it. As our beloved protagonist Guy Montag says, “We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while.

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