The Golden Compass Lesson Plan

Why does the Oblation Board inflict intercision on children? How does Mrs. Coulter justify it?

Mrs. Coulter explains that intercision is intended to keep Dust from settling on children as they grow up. She claims it is beneficial – but the fact that she protects Lyra from undergoing intercision indicates that she knows it is terrible. Why is Mrs. Coulter willing (even happy) to subject other children to intercision, but not Lyra? Do you think Mrs. Coulter believes any of the reasons she gives for intercision? If not, what might some of her real reasons be? What does Mrs. Coulter believe about Dust – and do we have enough information about her to judge whether these...