- Have you been confused by the alethiometer on His Dark Materials? Here's a quick explainer on what the device is, and what it does.
- It's presence is felt throughout the HBO series (and in the book series as well).
- It figures to eventually figure into the series' narrative in a major, major way.
The alethiometer, also called “the Golden Compass” (the title of the His Dark Materials series’ first book in North America), refers to a mechanical device made up of one face and three hands. The hands, animated by a mysterious force, point to more than a dozen symbols around the circumference, the combination of which spells out given meanings and prophesies.
In the HBO series, Lyra is given the device in episode one by Dr. Carne, Master of Jordan College, before embarking to London with Mrs. Coulter. Dr. Carne had before used a book to read the device, one of only 6 ever made. Lyra’s version is one Lord Asriel (James McAvoy) brought to Jordan College illegally; the device is banned by the Magisterium, the Catholic-Church-like governing body of the Dark Materials universe.
What does the compass do? “It tells you the truth,” Dr. Carne explains to Lyra. “Powers of this world are very strong. Men and women are moved by tides much fiercer than you can imagine. This, hopefully, will provide you with some protection.”
So far, Lyra has only unsuccessfully used the alethiometer. She’s tried the Siri approach: Alethiometer, tell me the truth! She’s tried spinning, whacking, winding it. But we know that Lyra figures into some vague prophesy. And, as any good fantasy story reader knows, prophesies usually include people with special powers. Lyra’s alethiometer—like (eventual King) Arthur’s sword—may be her greatest and most symbolic weapon. Once she unlocks it, that is.
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In the book series, Lyra describes reading the alethiometer as a kind of sixth sense: “It's almost like talking to someone, only you can't quite hear them," she says. "You feel kind of stupid because they're cleverer than you, only they don't get cross or anything.”
Why is the compass banned by the Magisterium? The same reason why the Magisterium fears dust and anything else that threatens its power: if known and understood by the populace, it would render the Magisterium's theological control void; the compass’ “truth” would also contradict the Magisterium's lies.
Symbolically, the compass then represents knowledge and enlightenment. And you know what the Enlightenment said about knowledge? Something, something, power.
