What I think each character symbolizes

In "The Golden Compass", each character is very special and unique. To me, they each represent a little part of the world, and, even if this wasn't intentionally done by Phillip Pullman, is something that I enjoy seeing develop as I further my journey with this book.

The protagonist of the book, Lyra, symbolizes a snake to me. She is always around, waiting for an opportunity to make her move, and prove herself. For example, when Lyra has the alethiometer, and her "mentor", Farder Coram, is struggling to read it, Lyra is able to finally prove herself. It is almost as if she reveals herself from the shadows and becomes incredibly successful. Farder Coram actually says "Tell me what you're doing" because he is frustrated that Lyra can understand the alethiometer and he can't.

Farder Coram, on the other hand, is like a turtle. Turtles have always symbolized wisdom, and Farder Coram is a wise man. He soaks in all of the information, and if he doesn't understand something, he hides away under his shell of shame like a turtle.

Finally, we come to Mrs. Coulter. She is like a dove. So elegant, so graceful, yet always getting in the way and being annoying. It seems like she is everywhere, just like a dove. She manages to come across as a nice woman, and then throws that persona away to reveal her true self.