The secular angel in contemporary children's literature: David ...

(McNish, 2007, 112). This statement accomplishes two things: first it reinforces the idea,
which is shared by Pullman, that innocence is only a social construct which has been given
much more merit and worth than it actually deserves, and second, it brings the angels a little
closer to earth, by suggesting that an elevated state of being—whether it is innocence or
perfection—is not necessary and is in fact unrelated to a person’s ability to see angels. Thus,
Mestraal’s words strengthen the author’s intent to humanize the angelic and bridge the
metaphysical and ideological gap between the two species also putting further pressure on the
binary of innocence and experience, and good and evil.
The second set of contraries, innocence and experience, is linked to Freya’s literal as
well as metaphorical transformation. In the previous chapter it was argued that Lyra’s
innocence is more accurately defined as ideological ignorance. In McNish’s narrative, Freya’s
innocence resembles a lack of or disregard for responsibility. Her newfound state of
experience at the end of the novel is defined as the acknowledgment and acceptance of the
fact that her choices are followed by consequences which she must be ready to deal with, and
responsibilities which she must assume. The choices in question involve her family, her
friends, and herself. Her brother Luke and her friend Stephanie constitute an integral part of
her realization of what is right and wrong, and are constant reminders of what is truly
important. By giving her a cruel insight into the unfairness and misery that is present in the
world, Mestraal is indirectly, and possibly even instinctively, urging her to take a stand and
choose which side she will be on: indifference or action. Hestron, on the other hand, shows
her the way towards assuming this responsibility she has been endowed with but tells her that
it is a burden she must choose for herself, for no one else can make that choice for her.
Therefore, the powers that shift Freya’s decision-making are numerous, but their very essence
are these characters’ insistence that whatever path she follows will lead her to the inevitable
reality of accepting the consequences of those choices.
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