The Silver Chair Good Versus Evil Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Page)

Quote #4

The Queen was dreadfully fat and had a double chin and a fat, powdered face—which isn't a very nice thing at the best of times, and of course looks much worse when it is ten times too big. The King put out his tongue and licked his lips. Anyone might do that: but his tongue was so very large and red, and came out so unexpectedly, that it gave Jill quite a shock. (8.110)

Although appearances couldn't have helped the children discern the real nature of the Lady, it certainly is serving Jill well here. She doesn't like the look of the giant queen and the behavior of the king is somewhat creepy and disconcerting. Jill and Eustace still don't get it, but it does put them on their guard.

Quote #5

And then it was not a toy lion, but a real lion, The Real Lion, just as she had seen him on the mountain beyond the world's end. And a smell of all sweet-smelling things there are filled the room. But there was some trouble in Jill's mind, though she could not think what it was... The Lion told her to repeat the signs, and she found that she had forgotten them all. At that, a great horror came over her. (8.117)

It's clear that although Aslan is big and potentially dangerous, he is goodness itself. If you're in doubt about this, take a look at this description. Usually when you get a character who is accompanied by sweet or good smells, they are considered saintly. But notice how Jill becomes troubled by his appearance. This isn't because Aslan is bad; it's because Jill hasn't done as she promised, so now she has to face up to her poor judgment and try to make things right, which makes her uncomfortable.

Quote #6

"Didn't you hear what those giants were saying? 'That's a nice tender haunch of venison,' said one of them. 'Then that stag was a liar,' said another. 'Why?' said the first one. 'Oh,' said the other. 'They say that when he was caught he said, Don't kill me, I'm tough. You won't like me.'" (9.128)

If Puddleglum and the children were in any doubt about the nature of the giants of Harfang, this overheard conversation puts an end to it. It's an extreme taboo in Narnia to slay and eat a talking animal (equivalent to murder and cannibalism) and Puddleglum has to break it to the children that they've transgressed in partaking of the meal.