One of the largest themes in The Golden Compass is the constant battle between fate and freewill. This creates a paradox through the book because Lyra is destined to play a huge role in the fate of humankind, yet she has to find her own path to get there. A quotation from chapter 2 says, “Lyra has a part to play in all this, and a major one. The irony is that she must do it all without realizing what she's doing.” This quotation shows the interaction between freewill and the overarching fate that is destined to happen. Lyra is a very courageous and curious individual. She is described as a “half-wild cat” because she had no parent figures and was allowed to roam the streets and seek out adventure, even though she attends a prestigious school