Interesting Fact: "Lyra" is both the first word in HDM, and the last.

The beginning of His Dark Materials, “The Decanter of Tokay” sets the groundwork for many aspects of the series.

Primarily we are introduced to Lyra, shown her disregard of authority, her curiosity, her ability to act swiftly (getting into the wardrobe in the split second of time that she had), and her feelings of fearful respect for Lord Asriel. We are also introduced to Pantalaimon, Lyra’s daemon who presents the more logical side of her being. Pan is the other half of Lyra, the half that would rather twidle thumbs in the library while Lord Asriel was being poisoned rather than watching and preventing it. Pan had obviously tried to prevent Lyra from going to the Retiring Room, but in the end we see that he has little influence over Lyra’s haphazard nature. We also learn (and much is implied and left for us to complete) about the working of Jordan College. Lord Asriel (a character based on Satan from John Milton’s Paradise Lost) is introduced, bringing his powerful presence into the books. Portrayed as Lyra’s uncle at first, we learn later that he is her father. Despite their differences, father and daughter both will do as they please, and lack any respect for custom or Authority. Both of them are in the Retiring Room against custom, Lyra because women are never allowed in, Asriel because it is customary to go in with or after the Master, not wait for him.

Pullman wastes no time in building up the suspense, trapping Lyra immediately in a wardrobe, with very few options to choose from. The trilogy retains this suspenseful atmosphere for an overwhelming majority of the time. The plot to poison Asriel (which is never really justified completely) adds to the suspense, and so does Lyra’s quiet outcry of “No!” that prevents Asriel’s death. His anger is stopped short, however, by the entering of the scholars.

What Asriel brings with him in projector slides and “specimens” grows and maintains our own curiosity, and as the chapter closes, we sit eagerly in the wardrobe with Lyra, watching the proceedings.