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Three of The Yorker's blogs team have had a hard think about what general rules they live their lives by and written them down in the form of their own Personal Philosophies.
First, a bit of background for you non-literary types out there. In Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy, everyone has a daemon, which is an animal that holds part of your soul. As a child, it can change form, but once you hit puberty, it changes less and less, until eventually it settles on an animal that represents your character.
So…“What would your daemon be?”
My obsession with asking this question has led to many heated discussions in the pub. It takes a lot of thought (and usually a fair amount of alcohol), but people normally have some pretty set ideas on what they are, and more enlighteningly, what other people are. For example, whilst one friend of mine was originally offended to be called a rat, he soon saw that, like him, rats were ungroomed, wily and brave. And was more than happy to admit that fact. But for many people, who they think they are differs greatly from how everyone else sees them.
In Pullman’s books, if you’re not happy with your daemons eventual form, it means that you’re a discontented person, and generally, I’ve found that to be true. If someone disagrees with all their friends on who they are, then they’re the type of person who is constantly trying to prove themselves as something they’re not. One friend of mine has a fixed idea that he’s a handsome, strong and fierce tiger. But all of us who know him are well aware that he is, in fact, a panda – soft, cuddly, and a bit grumpy. And he’s forever acting totally out of character with people he feels he needs to impress– showing off himself to be like the tiger he thinks he is.
But on one of my many re-reads, the idea of an otter leapt into my head, and just fitted
Another interesting point Pullman makes is the one of our daemon’s being able to change when we’re young, then settling as we get older. As we grow up, we become far more attuned into the type of person we are. Although, obviously for all of us, there are elements of our personality we wish were stronger or weaker, as we grow older, we generally become far happier with the type of person we are. I can remember, when as a wee nipper I first read the books, having about a thousand ideas about what my daemon might be. On minute I was a cuddly cat, the next a fearless lion, then a lazy seal, a greedy pig or a elegant peacock.
But on one of my many re-reads, the idea of an otter leapt into my head, and just fitted – I’m sociable, adventurous, a bit of a smart alec, idiotic at times, and very fond of swimming
Like we were all told in 6th Form: University is about discovering yourself, and learning who you are. Whilst I didn’t think this would occur over a long-loved book and a drunken discussion, with my lifestyle, I probably shouldn’t be surprised that that’s the way it worked out.
So ask yourself, and ask your friends, and find out whether this voyage of self-discovery, University, has worked.
"One friend of mine has a fixed idea that he’s a handsome, strong and fierce tiger. But all of us who know him are well aware that he is, in fact, a panda – soft, cuddly, and a bit grumpy"
Sounds like Anton Murphy!
great topic! I always hoped mine would be a snow leopard but perhaps I should ask around.
wasn't the film awful though?
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