In The Silver Chair, the truth is simple and complex, constant yet also relative to characters' perspectives (think of Golg's beliefs about Overland, for instance). In Aslan's country, the truth is perfectly clear, because the Lion is right there—and one cannot be untruthful in his presence. It just doesn't fly.
Aslan isn't always on the scene, though, and uncertainty over what is true comes into play at the climax, when the children and Puddleglum meet an enchanted Rilian in Underland and come face-to-face with the Queen. She tries to make them disbelieve everything they know is true about Aslan, the signs, and Overland—and she nearly succeeds. But then Puddleglum does something astonishing: he declares that he doesn't care about the truth, effectively ending her crusade.
In the end, Aslan's world triumphs as universal truth, conquering Underland and the injustice and despair of Experiment House.
Questions About Truth
- Why is telling the truth so important on this adventure? What are the consequences of being honest (with oneself and others) and of being deceitful?
- Why do you suppose that Aslan only tells Jill a little of what she needs to know about the signs and her journey? Is he being cagey? What might be the purpose of such a tactic?
- What kinds of things make the truth so complicated in this story? For instance, why does it take the children so long to understand that the giants in Harfang are not kind?
- The children miss all but the last of the four signs, but their journey is still successful. Why, do you suppose, is the last sign so important to follow?
Chew on This
Without a strong sense of personal honesty, both Jill and Eustace would immediately find themselves in mortal danger and at risk of jeopardizing the quest for the lost prince.
The idea of clarity—in thoughts, beliefs, and self-knowledge—is the central thematic concern of The Silver Chair.