Sources And Influences

Pullman himself has acknowledged many sources and influences upon his work from Greek mythology, the Bible, and classical literature to a Finnish telephone directory.

Two above all stand out, John Milton's Paradise Lost and William Blake, in particular his Songs of Innocence & Experience.

Pullman has described his trilogy as ” Paradise Lost for teenagers in three volumes.” His debt is evident in the quotation from Paradise Lost (Book II, lines 910-919) from which he has drawn the title, His Dark Materials.

The ‘Dark Materials’ are the four elements out of which God created the universe, while Pullman’s title presumably alludes to the rich potential not only of these materials but also of the ‘Dust’ that is so significant to his theme.

Jon Morrell talks about the period influence on Costume Design and you can see the fashion influences on the witches costumes.

Set designer Giles Cadle explains how period references were accomodated in the initial set design.