1. What do you think about the title The Silver Chair? Any alternative suggestions?

I've no objection to the title, The Silver Chair, as such. And so, I've no better suggestions for entitling the book. However, I've been quite puzzled at its significance in the story. We only see this eponymous Silver Chair once in the story, when Prince Rilian is tied into it whilst he has his nightly fit, and although Prince Rilian vents his fury on it when he is released from it, and the Queen of Underland, at least in the BBC TV version, seems to be somewhat miffed at its destruction, I quite fail to see what it actually does. Is the silver chair, itself, just a macguffin? A much sought after but otherwise a rather uncomfortable-looking chair? Or does it work more like an electric chair? Judging by Rilian's agony whilst sitting in it I would think so. And why silver in particular?

Oddly enough the thrones I've seen are either glorified kitchen chairs, with metal frameworks and particularly thick, comfortable, monogrammed seats, or else elaborately carved wooden chairs, maybe with some gold ornamentation, like the Coronation chair in Westminster Abbey. That particular chair is the proper one for England, at least, but was stripped of much of its gilding by Oliver Cromwell. Or that really stunning backdrop to the speakers' chair Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh use in the House of Lords in Parliament at Westminster when they go there to open Parliament. The thrones in Buckingham Palace seem to be made of metal tubing like we used to use for kitchen chairs in the 1960's, with monogrammed upholstery, similar to the one the Emperor Napoleon III (Bonaparte) used, which is now in the Louvre.

2. What’s in a name? Eustace Clarence Scrubb is generally referred to as “Eustace” in VDT, but in SC, he is usually referred to by his last name, “Scrubb.” Is there any significance to this? Why does he use Eustace sometimes in SC and Scrubb other times? Is there a significance to when Lewis uses titles (the Owl, the Prince, etc.) and when he uses names Glimfeather, Rilian, etc.)

What's in a name? Plenty. Eustace was called Eustace when he was at home with his own family, including his cousins, the Pevensies, that is to say, Lucy and Edmund, who shared his VDT adventure. At school, a business and work environment, after all, he would have been called Scrubb, in an era where language like "By Jove" was considered quite a normal way of talking for older boys, aping their dads, teachers, WW2 heroes and other authority figures. When Eustace tried to identify himself as Eustace to Trumpkin, who might have heard about that VDT story, Trumpkin misheard him thinking Eustace was calling himself Useless. Or did Trumpkin mishear?

If you knew "Eustace the Useless" was a comic strip in one of England's newspapers in the 1940's and 1950's, what would you think of Eustace in VDT and now in SC? No wonder Eustace answered to Scrubb for much of the rest of SC. However, that sort of formality usual and expected in UK and elsewhere in 1953, when The Silver Chair was first published, had largely disappeared by 1983, especially after the events of 31st August 1997, which are still discussed in today's news.

Calling Glimfeather by his name sometimes and The owl at other times is just a way to break up the amount of times it is necessary to call him, he, his etc, or Glimfeather. I am involved in an ongoing argument about this matter, with one of my nearest and dearests, because, to suit him, and his tendency to lose track of what is said, due to partial deafness, it would be cumbersome to use sentences like:

Glimfeather went to the Parliament of Owls because Glimfeather wanted to bring the matter before Glimfeather's fellow owls, to help Jill and Eustace. And the other owls were prepared to listen to Glimfeather even though Trumpkin complained that Trumpkin, not Glimfeather, could not hear Glimfeather, who, Trumpkin said, didn't speak clearly.

The same applies to Rilian and Puddleglum.

3. Does Silver Chair have a main character? If so, who? If not, explain why you think there isn’t a main character.

Jill is the main character in The Silver Chair because much of the story is from her point of view and because it was she who Aslan commissioned to find Prince Rilian and bring him home to Narnia. The only real hero of the story, apart from Aslan, himself, is Puddleglum whose presence saved the situation several times, especially when he put out the Green Witch's fire and stated his case for preferring his own point of view. Though Eustace does the best he can under the circumstances, and is one of the main characters, he is mainly seen in a supporting role.

2. What’s in a name? Eustace Clarence Scrubb is generally referred to as “Eustace” in VDT, but in SC, he is usually referred to by his last name, “Scrubb.” Is there any significance to this? Why does he use Eustace sometimes in SC and Scrubb other times? Is there a significance to when Lewis uses titles (the Owl, the Prince, etc.) and when he uses names Glimfeather, Rilian, etc.)
I think it's largely because we see this book from Jill's perspective. She only thinks of Eustace as Scrubb pretty much until they shake hands in Underland, and she probably can't quite get over Glimfeather being an owl, and Rilian being the Prince is basically the whole point of her quest. In the case of the latter two, their role in Jill's story isn't so prevalent,
I don't think, as to completely overrule their actual names, though, which is why we get their real names from time to time.

As for why Eustace is sometimes called Eustace, I think it's usually when the story shifts to his perspective for a moment or two. I also believe that several of the uses of "Eustace" are in the later chapters of the book, when Jill and Eustace have become true friends.

Of course, never doubt the power of a little variety.

3. Does Silver Chair have a main character? If so, who? If not, explain why you think there isn’t a main character.
I think the story is told from Jill's perspective, but that doesn't necessarily make her the main character. Aside from being the one who was given the quest, she doesn't really take many decisive actions on her own. She is probably the one who grows the most,
but aside from that m, I don't think she's more of a "main character" than Eustace is. I guess that also depends on how you define "main character".

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One thing this book always does is make me wonder -
what could have been? What would have happened had Jill not pushed Eustace over the cliff and they'd both heard the signs? If Eustace had known to speak to Caspian, would Caspian have lived longer, since he would have gone from having lost all hope to knowing that Aslan had tasked adventurers with finding his son? Would they have found and freed Rilian sooner? Or, if Caspian had outfitted them with a small army, would that have drawn too much attention and made the Witch too wary?

Ultimately, I believe things turned out exactly the way they were meant to be. If they'd turned out differently, I doubt either of the children would have been forced to grow the way they did. Still, there are so many intriguing questions. It's too bad we're never told what would have happened.

4. Compare and Contrast the Prince while he is enchanted and when he is not.

According to the book, the Prince "had something wrong with his face" when the travellers first meet him. He doesn't know who he is, exactly, or why he is enchanted. Altogether, he seems a bit like Hamlet, just like the gnomes are all sad. The reference to Billion and Trillion might these days suggest he thinks he is Mr Moneybags. He praises LOTGK, seeing her as a nosegay of all virtues. But nosegays smell. Pleasantly, I hope.

Rilian can relate LOTGK's plan for him to invade another country, how the spell he is under affects him, and why he has to be restrained whilst sitting in the Silver Chair. He remembers meeting the travellers at the Giant's bridge, and also the full inscription of which "under me" was part. But he doesn't know his own name. Rilian doesn't like the gnomes very much it would seem.

But then he gets some inkling his nightly fit is upon him. And everything changes. He sounds more normal and seems nicer even though he is in pain. Suddenly LOTGK, the "nosegay of virtues" becomes the posy of purulence and poison. All of a sudden he starts raving on about what sort of place this Dark Castle is. He dislikes the gnomes even more than he did at dinner. By the time Rilian reveals himself by asking them to release him in Aslan's name, the travellers think they are dealing with someone who is not sane. But they release him anyway. And he starts remembering who he is and why he was where he is.

The rest of the time we see Rilian in SC his behaviour, compared to what it was before his release, is a complete contrast. He tries to leave the Queen's castle politely enough, but that is so likely, isn't it? The Prince can remember everything now. Except for a wavering by the side of the chasm, where he was tempted by the knowledge of Bism, he is committed to returning to Narnia and his father.

5. What themes are there in this book? Which theme do you think is the main theme?

We've discussed this topic elsewhere on NarniaWeb, quite extensively, here and here, as well as in discussion of LOTGK. I may have missed other threads discussing this important topic. But this question is likely to recur anyway, even in discussion of what LOTGK does and intends to do.

Although Michael Ward's The Narnia Code might be overstating C.S.Lewis' intent in writing The Silver Chair it is striking how much of that book deals with night, the Moon, the metal silver, femininity, water, bathing, marriage, children and their behaviour. Does Michael Ward have a point in suggesting that if VDT represents the Sun that SC represents the Moon in Medieval cosmology?

And what about the virtues and vices depicted? Trust has been mentioned, as well as obedience. Aslan has commissioned Jill, and also Eustace to find Rilian. But LOTGK is out to stop them succeeding. And who could go past the splendid speech Puddleglum gave that exposed the falsity of LOTGK's brainwashing of the humans present?

I started out believing that there was a link between SC, the virtue of perseverance, and its opposite, sloth, as the one of the Seven Deadly Sins most relevant. LOTGK's realm does seem to glory in some dreadfully sloppy work practices, doesn't it? And isn't Underland such a poor imitation of not only Bism but of the rest of Narnia? Throughout the book there are examples of what should have been done but wasn't, and what was done that shouldn't. The undisciplined behaviour of the bullies at Experiment House, the slackness of the staff there, a door left opened, even though it was good for Jill and Eustace. Then there was Jill's careless behaviour at the cliff side, her and Eustace not realising who the old King was in time, thus leaving the children having to make do with whatever help they got.

When they set out with Puddleglum, the Ettinsmoor Giants' idea of playing games is more dangerous than if they intended to hit Puddleglum and the children. The Giant's bridge is in considerable disrepair, and then when they meet LOTGK and Silent Knight, LOTGK misleads the children with lies and false advertising. By the time the travellers reach Harfang they have almost forgotten the signs, and fail to notice how ruined is the surface they cross. Other clues, such as the badly made toys, suggest a certain lack of care and skill. The hospitality they get at Harfang, as good as it seems, initially, does not measure up to Narnian ethical standards, and the travellers are lucky to escape. And that is all before they get to meet LOTGK in the Dark Castle, where one can't look too closely.

But there is something else that is important maybe we all have missed. The difference between truth and the shoddiness of lies might well be a main theme of SC. Isn't that the meaning of Rilian's shield changing from tarnished black to silver?

What do you think about the title The Silver Chair? Any alternative suggestions?

It's a pretty vague title when you think about it, but I like that about it. Even though the chair itself isn't in the book all that much, I think it makes enough of a impact that it justifies being in the title.

I know Lewis considered a number of others titles before deciding on The Silver Chair, one of which was The Wild Waste Lands which I actually like a lot.

What themes are there in this book? Which theme do you think is the main theme?

The most prominent theme for me is overcoming hopelessness, or maybe a better way to phrase is finding courage a seemingly hopeless situation. Throughout the entire story things constantly look hopeless, from the situation at Experiment House, to the bleakness in Narnia with the Queen dead, Rilian missing, and Caspian old and about to die without an heir, and pretty much the entire journey things are constently, though not relentlessly, bleak and drury, which makes the ending were hope is restored all the more satisfying.

Another important theme is faith/trust (I'm honesty not sure which word is more appropriate.) Which is vary important to Jill's growth and character development. And to Puddleglums speech which I think is the thematic climax of the story.

But there is something else that is important maybe we all have missed. The difference between truth and the shoddiness of lies might well be a main theme of SC. Isn't that the meaning of Rilian's shield changing from tarnished black to silver?

I haven't thought of that before, but that's a excellent point. I think that idea dose run through the story, and at the very least plays a big part in the confrontation with the Witch.

1. What do you think about the title The Silver Chair? Any alternative suggestions?
I feel the chair itself wasn't emphasized that much, so perhaps a different title would have been more appropriate. Can't think of one off the top of my head though

2. What’s in a name? Eustace Clarence Scrubb is generally referred to as “Eustace” in VDT, but in SC, he is usually referred to by his last name, “Scrubb.” Is there any significance to this? Why does he use Eustace sometimes in SC and Scrubb other times? Is there a significance to when Lewis uses titles (the Owl, the Prince, etc.) and when he uses names Glimfeather, Rilian, etc.)
I think it is because Jill is the main character in this book, and she knows Eustace as 'Scrubb.' So I assume that the narrator uses her language as well. I'm not sure why he refers to Eustace as 'Eustace' at times, however.

3. Does Silver Chair have a main character? If so, who? If not, explain why you think there isn’t a main character.
I think it is Jill, because we see things mainly from her point of view.

Here are my thoughts:

1. The Silver Chair is a really good name because it leaves mystery for the reader on what exactly the silver chair is. However, an alternative name could be The Underworld of Narnia or Puddleglum and the The Green Witch.

2. Not sure as to why that is for Eustace concerning your second question.

3. Jill is the main character in my view. In fact, I think this is pretty definitive from the text. Much of the story is nearly taught from her viewpoint without being written in first person. She also learns a moral lesson about what it means to be a true friend. Early on, Jill is more hasty and possibly unappreciative-but she grows quite maturely later in the story.

4. Also not sure not sure to the answer concerning your fourth question. Then again, why are we sometimes more prone to be blind while others times we see straight?

As far ads themes go, I think friendship is a theme. The children and Puddleglum find that for certain. However, another theme may be that magic awaits us when we are not expecting it. Still, I'd say the main theme is friendship and valor. If we are not loyal to our friends, we probably won't find many friends in our lives. Eustace and Jill make each other stronger by helping each other where they fall short.

If The Silver Chair has a main character, it is Jill. The book is her story. But I don't know if you'd be able to call Jill the main character.

2. What’s in a name? Eustace Clarence Scrubb is generally referred to as “Eustace” in VDT, but in SC, he is usually referred to by his last name, “Scrubb.” Is there any significance to this? Why does he use Eustace sometimes in SC and Scrubb other times? Is there a significance to when Lewis uses titles (the Owl, the Prince, etc.) and when he uses names Glimfeather, Rilian, etc.)

I had some notes about this but I have no idea what I did with them. I also no longer have access to a digital copy of the book so I can search. A quick glance shows that Rilian is most often referred to as the Prince. I found a couple of instances where he is just Rilian where he was referring to his parents. "My royal mother is avenged" and "My father went to the world's end." Those are more personal and less formal statements. However, Lewis also used Rilian when the Prince was explaining the various outlets into Overworld. As for the use of "Scrubb," that is how he was referred to at school. They were called by their last names. Lewis seems to use both "Eustace" and "Scrubb" throughout the book to indicate Eustace Scrubb is talking. A quick look did not yield any "Pole" said. It could have something to do with Jill being a female character. 

3. Does Silver Chair have a main character? If so, who? If not, explain why you think there isn’t a main character.

I think Jill and Eustace share the role. They both have to face their fears and learn to get along with each other.

I'd say that Jill is the main character, Puddleglum is the hero and Eustace is the deuteragonist. (Look it up.) 😉 

Posted by: @col-klink

Eustace is the deuteragonist. (Look it up.)

Is that any relation to an assonance??  

(yes, I do know what both words mean — I'm just thinking of our introduction to Eustace in VDT)

What's in a name? 

Posted by: @waggawerewolf27

Calling Glimfeather by his name sometimes and The owl at other times is just a way to break up the amount of times it is necessary to call him,

I agree. Many authors do that sometimes so it doesn't sound repetitive and overused. 

Does Silver Chair have a main character? If so, who?

No, I don't think SC has a main character, because Jill and Eustace are both equally the protagonists of the story. As with LB, Eustace and Jill are both going on an adventure together, with another Narnian character.  Some say that Jill is considered the main character, and I can see why. She has more scenes and like others mentioned before she was the one that Aslan sent to find Rillian. Yet, I have always felt that Eustace is as much in the story as Jill, even though I don't consider Puddleglum a main character. It's like with the Pevensies. Nobody says that Lucy is the main character of LWW, just because she has more scenes in the book. It's all the Pevensies together, they all are the protagonists, working together to a common goal. Puddleglum, like the beavers and Tumnus, help them reach that goal. 

1. What do you think about the title The Silver Chair? Any alternative suggestions?

I think it's fine as it is. It adds a touch of mystery in that the reader is waiting for it to appear. And when it does, they know the turning point, the climax, of the book is about to appear. If there was no chair, or if the chair was not destroyed, there would be no book. It's also a mystery how something that should be so beautiful - a chair made of silver, like something from the Palace of Versailles - could be so evil and nefarious.

2. What’s in a name? Eustace Clarence Scrubb is generally referred to as “Eustace” in VDT, but in SC, he is usually referred to by his last name, “Scrubb.” Is there any significance to this? Why does he use Eustace sometimes in SC and Scrubb other times? Is there a significance to when Lewis uses titles (the Owl, the Prince, etc.) and when he uses names Glimfeather, Rilian, etc.)

For variety, and because the book is actually Lewis-as-narrator telling us the story, it works.

3. Does Silver Chair have a main character? If so, who? If not, explain why you think there isn’t a main character.

Not really but I can't say any of the other Narnia books had a main character either!

4. Compare and Contrast the Prince while he is enchanted and when he is not.

When enchanted he's on the ridiculous side of chivalry and courtliness, his speech is so affected and exaggerrated he's obnoxious. When he turns into himself, he's still courtly, but it's realer.

5. What themes are there in this book? Which theme do you think is the main theme?

I think it's about one of the Seven Deadly Sins, sloth. Laziness. Which isn't just lying around doing nothing, but taking the easy way in all things, personified in Jill, for example how she daydreams about having adventures while watching the sunset in Cair Paravel, but when they actually happen, she's desperate for warmth, good food, comfort, so much that she forgets to repeat the signs to herself and forgets them. Later when the Green Witch enspells them and presents a very logical way of looking at world (her world, the underground, is real, all else is illusion) the party has to choose between the easy going, accepting it and falling under the spell, or fighting against it, as Puddleglum does.