parslow:‘In this world everyone has a “dæmon”, a familiar in the form of an animal in which a part o
parslow:‘In this world everyone has a “dæmon”, a familiar in the form of an animal in which a part of his or her own self is externalised. Dæmons are partially autonomous. Lyra and her dæmon Pantalaimon converse as two separate voices - each knows things the other doesn’t, they differ in their opinions - and yet they are parts of one whole, and to separate them is death to both. …The loneliness of the inhabitants of other - dæmon-less - worlds is rendered intensely poignant. The existential solitude, which is the normal human condition, has never looked so pitiful to those who live with as it does to these people, who are never alone, accompanied as they are at all times by their dear companions, their kindred spirits, their other halves.’ -- source link