The Golden Compass and a QUESTION
Well, I teach in a Catholic school board, so it's not too surprising that a letter like this would eventually go home with the students, especially since at least one Catholic school board in Southern Ontario has already banned the "Golden Compass" books recently. I'm pleased with how my school board has responded.
Here's the letter:
Dear Parent/Guardian,
There is currently a great deal of controversy surrounding author Phillip Pullman's book titled "The Golden Compass". While this book has been in circulation since 1995, controversy has recently surfaced because it will soon be released as a motion picture. The book was, apparently, written by a self-confessed atheist and the subject of his series of books, according to the author, is the death of God.
Many who have read "The Golden Compass" call this award-winning book a well-written fantasy.
At the York Catholic District School Board, it is not our practice to ban books. Our Catholic Graduate Expectations call students to critically analyze media in light of the Christian values they have been taught.
As parents, you are the first teacher of religion to your child. You may wish to read "The Golden Compass" yourself, and be ready to speak to your child about it. Even if you do not permit your child to see the movie, they may hear about it from their friends.
As the prime educators of your children, you ultimately have the responsibility to decide what books your child can read, and/or films they see.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
(Director of Education)
Me, again. This kind of letter board-wide is so unusual that I assume there must have been some severe pressure on our school board to ban the books, too. It certainly didn't happen during the Harry Potter book controversy, for example, where a statement was sent to teachers saying the board supported the use of those books in the classroom, but nothing was sent home with students.
Knowing human nature, what with these letters going home tonight, anyone want to hazard a guess how many -more- of our students are suddenly going to be more curious than ever to see and read "The Golden Compass"? Right :). It certainly was causing a buzz among my students even as the letters hit their desks.
Now, I recently made another valiant attempt to read the Pullman books, but will admit I only got to early in the third book before stopping and moving on to something else. Beyond the controversy, which doesn't concern me as a reader, the books just do not appeal to me. I don't find Lyra, the central character, likable and as the series continued with an "anti-organized religion" bias, I just found the agenda more blunt and obtrusive than offensive. I'm also having a hard time getting past the hypocrisy of the author who has seemed to hit out in all directions against the classic writers of his genre while committing the same writing faults he's accusing them of committing (particularly his Narnia "Christian agenda" complaints).
I do plan to go see the first movie once it opens this weekend. I am curious to see how it may influence my attitude toward the books and characters.
QUESTION: Have you read "The Golden Compass" books? All three? What did you think of them? What have you thought of the recent media controversy over the books and the upcoming movie? What have you thought of Pullman's statements about the writings of Lewis and Tolkien? Has it influenced how you look at his writing? Do you plan to go see the first movie?
I'm very curious to see what other people are thinking.
Here's the letter:
Dear Parent/Guardian,
There is currently a great deal of controversy surrounding author Phillip Pullman's book titled "The Golden Compass". While this book has been in circulation since 1995, controversy has recently surfaced because it will soon be released as a motion picture. The book was, apparently, written by a self-confessed atheist and the subject of his series of books, according to the author, is the death of God.
Many who have read "The Golden Compass" call this award-winning book a well-written fantasy.
At the York Catholic District School Board, it is not our practice to ban books. Our Catholic Graduate Expectations call students to critically analyze media in light of the Christian values they have been taught.
As parents, you are the first teacher of religion to your child. You may wish to read "The Golden Compass" yourself, and be ready to speak to your child about it. Even if you do not permit your child to see the movie, they may hear about it from their friends.
As the prime educators of your children, you ultimately have the responsibility to decide what books your child can read, and/or films they see.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
(Director of Education)
Me, again. This kind of letter board-wide is so unusual that I assume there must have been some severe pressure on our school board to ban the books, too. It certainly didn't happen during the Harry Potter book controversy, for example, where a statement was sent to teachers saying the board supported the use of those books in the classroom, but nothing was sent home with students.
Knowing human nature, what with these letters going home tonight, anyone want to hazard a guess how many -more- of our students are suddenly going to be more curious than ever to see and read "The Golden Compass"? Right :). It certainly was causing a buzz among my students even as the letters hit their desks.
Now, I recently made another valiant attempt to read the Pullman books, but will admit I only got to early in the third book before stopping and moving on to something else. Beyond the controversy, which doesn't concern me as a reader, the books just do not appeal to me. I don't find Lyra, the central character, likable and as the series continued with an "anti-organized religion" bias, I just found the agenda more blunt and obtrusive than offensive. I'm also having a hard time getting past the hypocrisy of the author who has seemed to hit out in all directions against the classic writers of his genre while committing the same writing faults he's accusing them of committing (particularly his Narnia "Christian agenda" complaints).
I do plan to go see the first movie once it opens this weekend. I am curious to see how it may influence my attitude toward the books and characters.
QUESTION: Have you read "The Golden Compass" books? All three? What did you think of them? What have you thought of the recent media controversy over the books and the upcoming movie? What have you thought of Pullman's statements about the writings of Lewis and Tolkien? Has it influenced how you look at his writing? Do you plan to go see the first movie?
I'm very curious to see what other people are thinking.