Children Quote by Philip Pullman
““Darling, no one would ever dream of performing an operation on a child without testing it first. And no one in a thousand years would take a child's daemon away altogether! All that happens is a little cut, and then everything's peaceful. Forever! You see, your daemon's a wonderful friend and com panion when you're young, but at the age we call puberty, the age you're coming to very soon, darling, daemons bring all sort of troublesome thoughts and feelings, and that's what lets Dust in. A quick little operation before that, and you're never troubled again. And your daemon stays with you, only...just not connected. Like a... like a wonderful pet, if you like. The best pet in the world! Wouldn't you like that? (Marisa Coulter)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: His Dark Materials, The Subtle Knife, 1997
The speaker argues that removing a child's daemon (inner self) through a pre‑puberty operation would prevent future emotional turmoil.
In simple terms: Removing a child's inner companion early would stop later struggles.
Key Takeaway
Consider the ethics of altering personal growth.
Themes
ethics
identity
growth
control
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
uneasy
Type
philosophical
fictional
When to use this quote
- parental decisions
- mental health interventions
- fictional world‑building
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
free will
selfhood
psychological development
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of self are essential to keep?
- Is it right to eliminate future pain by altering present self?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes daemons are harmful, ignoring their role in personal identity.
