The Silver Chair Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Why do you suppose Lewis chose to make a silver chair the "vile engine of sorcery" in this work? What is the significance of it?
  2. Consider the villains of this piece, particularly the witch queen and the giants of Harfang. What statements on the nature of evil is Lewis making by way of these characters?
  3. In what ways does Puddleglum's declaration that "there are no accidents" actually complicate the situation in Narnia?
  4. What is the significance of the continued invasions of witches into Narnia? Why doesn't Aslan just keep them out?
  5. Why does Aslan wait so long, according to Narnian time, to send an official rescue party to reclaim the lost prince?
  6. What does it mean to be a good sovereign? An evil one?
  7. How does Lewis define courage in The Silver Chair? Which characters most clearly embody these ideals?
  8. What role does truthfulness play in this work? Why is it so important, for instance, for Jill to abandon making excuses for her behavior?
  9. In what ways does being female affect Jill's participation in the quest for Rilian? In what ways is gender an advantage or disadvantage in this work?
  10. What does Aslan mean when he tells the resurrected Caspian that he can't want things that are wrong now that he's died? Why do you suppose it is all right for Caspian to travel into Jill and Eustace's world at the end of The Silver Chair, when he is denied the request before, in life?