The Golden Compass

Note: The Golden Compass may be confused with the alethiometer.

The Golden Compass is the first book of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, originally published with under the title Northern Lights. In it we are introduced to Lyra and her world.

Contents 1 Outline 1.1 Part One: Oxford 1.2 Part Two: Bolvangar 1.3 Part Three: Svalbard 2 Chapter titles 2.1 Alternate chapter titles

Outline

The chapters in the book are divided into parts, unlike in the Subtle Knife or the Amber Spyglass. There are three parts to the book.

Part One: Oxford

The first part of the Golden Compass is called Oxford and includes chapters one through nine. It tells of Lyra's adventures in Oxford, her new home at Mrs. Coulter's apartment in London, and her escape and exile with the Gyptians.

Part Two: Bolvangar

Part two is called Bolvangar and brings the reader to the North as Lyra and the Gyptian make their way to find the children abducted by the Gobblers, including many Gyptian children and Roger. Bolvangar includes chapters ten through seventeen.

Part Three: Svalbard

Part Three is called Svalbard and includes chapters eighteen through twenty-three. After the events of part two, Lyra's balloon is blown off course and in the heavy wind, she tumbles out onto the edge of the bear kingdom.

Chapter titles

A list of chapter titles for the Golden Compass according to the US Knopf editions:

1. The Decanter of Tokay
2. The Idea of North
3. Lyra's Jordan
4. The Alethiometer
5. The Cocktail Party
6. The Throwing Nets
7. John Faa
8. Frustration
9. The Spies
10. The Consul and the Bear
11. Armour
12. The Lost Boy
13. Fencing
14. Bolvangar Lights
15. The Dæmon Cages
16. The Silver Guillotine
17. The Witches
18. Fog and Ice
19. Captivity
20. Mortal Combat
21. Lord Asriel's Welcome
22. Betrayal
23. The Bridge to the Stars

Alternate chapter titles

In Northern Lights (i.e. the edition published in the British Isles), chapter 20 is called À Outrance.