How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Page)
Quote #1
She now realized that Scrubb had some excuse for looking white, for no cliff in our world is to be compared with this. Imagine yourself at the top of the very highest cliff you know. And imagine yourself looking down at the very bottom. And then imagine that the precipice goes on below that, as far again, ten times as far, twenty times as far. (1.15)
Lewis pulls this move over and over again in The Silver Chair: Think of the ____ thing you know from our world and then make it bigger/taller/grander/scarier. It's a classic maneuver used by fantasy writers since the beginning of the genre. Why? Because they're creating a world that no one has ever experienced before, so there really are no comparison. At this moment, Jill's bravado isn't going to hold up. That's one high cliff.
Quote #2
Some huge, brightly colored animal had rushed to the edge of the cliff. It was lying down, leaning over; and (this was the odd thing) blowing. Not roaring or snorting, but just blowing from its wide-opened mouth [… Jill] was lying still because she couldn't get up. She was nearly fainting; indeed, she wished she could really faint, but faints don't come for the asking. (1.17)
If you've read the other books in the Chronicles of Narnia, you might be so familiar with the idea of Aslan that you're not so bowled over by him now. But if you put yourself in Jill's shoes, you might see why she'd like to forget what she's seeing. Aslan is not just any lion; he's a big as a "young elephant" and has a way of getting right to a person's soul with his gaze. Awe is a good word in this scenario, especially if you recall that it can also mean dread.
Quote #3
On the far side of the lawn, its weather-vanes glittering in the light, rose a many-towered and many-turreted castle; the most beautiful castle Jill had ever seen. (3.33)
Narnia is a classic fairy tale land, so we would be disappointed not to see a beautiful castle. Since Jill is from England and has probably seen her share of cool castles, Lewis had to up the ante and make Cair Paravel the most beautiful one in existence.
Quote #4
Her blood froze. The thing moved. It was a real giant. There was no mistaking it; she had seen it turn its head. She had caught a glimpse of the great, stupid, puff-cheeked face. All the things were giants, not rocks. (6.80)
Jill has been light-heartedly jabbering on about how the huge rocks around them might be giants. It can be difficult to empathize with a character in extreme situations like this, but try to imagine how you might react if a nearby boulder or mountain morphed into an ugly, clumsy creature.
Quote #5
And what a bridge, too! It was a huge, single arch that spanned the gorge from cliff-top to cliff-top; and the crown of that arch was as high above the cliff-tops as the dome of St. Paul's is above the street. (6.84)
We hope you follow the link above to take a look at just how enormous the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London really is so that you'll fully grasp this comparison. It's not quite as high as the cliff on Aslan's mountain, but it'll do for inspiration. Although the children are awed by its height (and condition), they're willing to take any kind of short cut on their long mission.
Quote #6
That must have been a good sword. The silver gave way before its edge like string, and in a moment a few twisted fragments, shining on the floor, were all that was left. But as the chair broke, there came from it a bright flash, a sound like small thunder, and (for one moment) a loathsome smell. (11.168)
If you spend any time with Anglo-Saxon poetry (and everybody should), you will become familiar with a poetic device called meiosis, or dramatic understatement. It's what a poet does when he or she wants to emphasize how incredible something is by underplaying its awesomeness. In this case, awe over the strength of the sword is underplayed by saying that the sword must have been "good." Good? The thing's freaking amazing. We know how super(natural) this scene really is because we get a thunder clap and a massive stink—sure signs that something serious is going on.
Quote #7
"What!" cried the gnome, opening its ridiculous mouth wider and wider in astonishment. "Dead? The Witch dead? And by your Honor's hand?" It gave a huge sigh of relief and added, "Why then your Honor is a friend!" (13.199)
Amazement isn't confined to the human race in this book. Golg the gnome takes a moment to digest the news that the other gnomes' slavery is at an end—and to figure out that the menacing strangers who have detained him are actually friends.
Quote #8
The depth of the chasm was so bright that at first it dazzled their eyes and they could see nothing. When they got used to it they thought they could make out a river of fire, and, on the banks of that river, what seemed to be fields and groves of an unbearable, hot brilliance—though they were dim compared with the river. There were blues, reds, greens, and whites all jumbled together: a very good stained-glass window with the tropical sun staring straight through at midday might have something of the same effect. (14.205)
As Rilian peers into the never-before seen land of Bism, he can't help but be astonished and inspired with a desire to explore a new place. Eustace feels the same excitement upon seeing the fire-bright lands under the earth, but Jill has quite the opposite feeling: one of dread.
Quote #9
At last Caspian turned to the others. He gave a great laugh of astonished joy. "Why! Eustace!" he said. "Eustace! So you did reach the end of the world after all. What about my second-best sword that you broke on the sea-serpent?" Eustace made a step toward him with both hands held out, but then drew back with a startled expression. (16.239)
Amazement often has equal parts joy and fear. Caspian has just suffered through death and has been brought back to life as a young man on Aslan's mountain; he is justifiably excited and amazed to see his old friend, Eustace, standing before him. Eustace, on the other hand, has just seen his friend die as an old man in Narnia, so he's not really sure how he should feel about this new development.
Quote #10
Their faces changed, and all the meanness, conceit, cruelty, and sneakishness almost disappeared in on single expression of terror. For they saw the wall fallen down, and a lion as large as a young elephant lying in the gap, and three figures in glittering clothes with weapons in their hands rushing down upon them. (16.241)
It's always good to see bullies get a little bit of their own back. When Jill and Eustace return back to Experiment House exactly when and where they left it, they get the chance to show their tormentors how things are done in Narnia. The amazement and fear this gang feels spreads through the school and causes some long-lasting changes at Experiment House.