Postby FreeWill » Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:52 pm
The knife has two parts to it, two edges - a physical one that cuts through matter, and a 'spiritual' one, that cuts nonmaterial essences, like the fabric between worlds, or the connection between a person and his or her daemon. The steel edge cuts automatically, when it comes in contact with anything physical. The other edge must be directed with consciousness and intention to cut. One must be in a 'Negative Capability' consciousness, the one that Will is in when he makes windows, or that Lyra is in when she reads the alethiometer, to cut with the silver edge. The powerful link between Lyra and her soul, Pantalaimon, connot be cut with only the mere presence of the knife between them. Mrs. Coulter's guillotine was an instrument of pure evil, within it was injected the consciousness needed to sever a person from his or her daemon.
"...being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason."
-John Keats