Pullman gives God a break for Easter

A.S.H. Smyth

22 March 2008

The author of His Dark Materials talks to A.S.H. Smyth about the latest episode in the saga in which he turns towards politics — with a nod to The Magnificent Seven along the way

‘Time and again in this story he’s given the chance to behave dishonourably, and doesn’t do it. But that’s Lee. He would be tempted by all sorts of things: women, money, gambling, whatever. And from time to time he’d give in to these temptations, if it wasn’t going to hurt anyone. But he’s a man of honour, a man of rock-hard integrity.’

Given that a new episode in the His Dark Materials universe could have fallen anywhere and used any characters, is this a purposeful move away from the innocent Lyra as the central figure? Whatever else he may be, Scoresby is decidedly not innocent.

‘No, he’s not a Boy Scout,’ agrees Pullman, but he challenges my suggestion that a man who drinks, gambles, brawls and admires ladies’ legs might be deemed politically incorrect nowadays in a heroic role.

‘He has a proper interest in the subject of ladies’ legs; but he would not dream of treating a lady with anything other than complete respect. That’s not politically incorrect, is it?’

Noted. In fact, maybe Scoresby is too respectful. In the classic two-girl scenario beloved of gentlemanly escapades (not that two-girl scenario), he doesn’t get either of them.

‘No, it was very important that he shouldn’t get the girl. This honour business again, I suppose. He’s a perennial bachelor. But you know he’ll find himself a girlfriend at some point. Probably got three or four sweethearts tucked away in different places in the world.’

Immediately before his death at Alamo Gulch, Scoresby tells his companion: ‘Seems to me the place you fight cruelty is where you find it, and the place you give help is where you see it needed.’

Honourable or not, Lee Scoresby’s clear-cut notions of right and wrong don’t chime with the political mainstream. The good folk of Novy Odense are plainly grateful for his extra-legal, iron-fisted intervention. But they also want him to get the hell out of Dodge, at the earliest. ‘“Thank you very much and don’t come back” is how Lee thinks about it.’

So, occasionally you can call in someone who will ‘get something done’? That is, for many, an uncomfortable thought.

‘Yeah, but of course they can only flourish — or exist at all really — in places that are a bit of a frontier. You can’t live the Magnificent Seven sort of life in Notting Hill.’

I suggest to Pullman that Lee Scoresby is the exception that proves Burke’s assertion that ‘the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing’. He knows when intervention is required, he breaks the law when circumstances dictate, and he’s not scared to shoot a few guys if he must; but he never does nothing.

‘No. Because he’s the honourable cowboy, the Western hero.’

A.S.H. Smyth Is A Freelance Journalist And Author Of They’d None Of ’em Be Missed (with Richard Suart).