The Silver Chair

The Underworld is the witch’s dark kingdom of lies and deception, which stands in direct opposition to the Overworld, Aslan’s domain of light and truth. In keeping with the theme of Narnia as a Christian Allegory, this dismal underground realm symbolizes the dangers of being lured away from the light, and thus its literal darkness symbolizes the spiritual absence of light: A light that would otherwise allow the dejected denizens of this realm to realize the truth of the world and find their way back to a vibrant life of faith. Given these parallels, existence in the witch’s Underworld is tantamount to a living death, a state that those of Christian faith believe true of those who have not yet embraced the Christian concept of salvation. Lured astray from his own true path in life, Prince Rilian is accordingly kept prisoner by the witch, a personification of evil who also enslaves the peaceful Earthmen into servitude. These elements arguably makes the Underworld comparable to a version of the Christian concept of Hell, a dynamic that is further strengthened by the witch’s use of lies and deception to keep Rilian from seeking out the light of Aslan’s truth.