Pullman approaches the analysis of society primarily through the eyes of Lyra, and thus her observations and conclusions dominate the narrative. Since he also has a specific message about religion and other social institutions, namely that they foster corruption because individuals are given too much power, Lyra is put in many situations where she has to choose a path counter to that expected of her by the adults in her world. It is clear that the Master of Jordan College is largely indifferent to her until he learns that she has a destiny, as is her father, known only to her as Lord Asriel.

We get the impression that her world is socially stratified, largely indifferent to the rights of individuals, and that its social, political and religious institutions serve the ambitions of a few individuals more than they do the good of the whole population...