Cats appear repeatedly in The Subtle Knife, and often propel the plot forward in meaningful ways. Will is established as a cat lover when he wonders what will happen to his pet, Moxie, while he leaves. He first finds himself in Cittàgazze by following a cat, whom he saves and which saves him and Lyra in turn when they are nearly caught breaking into Charles’s house. Will’s love for and protectiveness toward cats establish him as a sympathetic character.

Cats symbolize Will’s personality; he has always felt the need to blend into his environment, and to make himself as inconspicuous as possible to protect both himself and his mother. Pullman will explore this symbolism further in The Amber Spyglass, when the cat from The Subtle Knife becomes Will’s daemon. Pantalaimon’s leopard form can, similarly, be seen as a personification of Lyra’s bold and sometimes aggressive manner. While Will tries not to be noticed, she stands up for what she wants and believes in herself with no hesitation.

The city of Oxford is a symbol of education and power. Through Oxford, Pullman explores subtle yet important differences between Lyra and Will’s worlds. Both versions of the university town are very similar, with ancient colleges, lush parks, and people studying diverse topics.