1. A lot of this chapter is devoted to describing the island in vivid detail. Did any part of the description resonate with you?Yes, and I loved Aileth's answer above. The Hebrides are indeed lovely quiet places, with springy turf, sheep following you into post offices and cows sunbathing on beaches. But I'm sure that C.S.Lewis has at least heard of wonderful beaches such as he describes, elsewhere in the world. Where the noise of the surf lulls one to sleep as it doesn't in the inner Hebrides.
2. Would you have eaten the food?If I could identify it clearly, and was assured it was okay to eat, yes. Sometimes appearances may be deceptive. I remember, on a tour through Europe, not being able to find where the milk was for breakfast cereal, and seeing a dish containing what I thought was yogurt, I thought I'd substitute yogurt for the unfindable milk. Since the labelling was in Hungarian, I was unaware that I was eating horseradish dressing instead of yogurt.
3. Would you have stayed at the table all night?If I had something to read, for example
Voyage of the Dawn Treader or
Silver Chair, with me to while away the time, yes. But I might have fallen asleep like the three sleepers. As a child I would have felt differently,
4. Do you think Reepicheep was brave to suggest staying, or foolhardy?Neither. He just wants to know the truth of the matter, and I'd be glad of the company. Though it is easier to say than to do it. If it gets too chilly I might have changed my mind.
5. What does the setting of the table and the sleepers remind you of?Lots of things. Such as my wedding banquet, a state banquet, Narnian, Tudor or otherwise, or the sort of help yourself smorgasbords available on cruises, at hotels and conferences, at Christmas, or at really special occasions. Also the sorts of meals dreamed about in leaner times. And above all, they do remind me of other meals we see in other books, especially in LWW. The stone knife speaks of other, more sinister matters. Punishment, crime, death, and mourning.
The sleepers remind me of vegetable carvings or other table centrepieces at such occasions. But they also remind me of mops left aside by the cleaners, a stack of hairy cushions or household clutter not put away. Also, students falling asleep over their studies, in library carrels, with the remains of their smuggled lunches by their side, as they try to prepare for their exams.
6. How do you think Eustace learned so much about botany? Easy. He wasn't so much younger than the Pevensies that he wouldn't have worked in his parents' garden growing vegetables for the War Effort, and that is probably where he found some of the insects in his collections. Being bookish, he was a good student in subjects that interested him, factual books clearly did not daunt him, and he probably could be trusted to do his homework thoroughly, since he wasn't distracted by sporting activities or being the life and soul of the parties, not being the most popular boy at his school. He would have had the sorts of high marks Alberta would have loved and which he could skite about at school.
7. (a) Lewis repeatedly mentions that Eustace had read none of the "right" books. We can assume then that conversely the Pevensies read the "right" books. I wouldn't have assumed anything, really. Of course Eustace hadn't read any of the "right" books. He'd read the sorts of technical books that would have helped him with studies. He hadn't really bothered much about the more imaginative side of studying like history, literature, art or languages. Therefore, though he was good at the sorts of things he was interested in, Eustace's education was a bit one-sided. Yes, the Pevensies probably did read the "right" books. But were they books of information they needed to do schoolwork? Or were they just entertainment?
(b)Let's assume that Eustace learned botany by reading his "books of information." Back in Prince Caspian, the Pevensies mention that characters in books always find ways to survive in the woods eating roots and things. Unfortunately, they are unsure exactly what that means. If Eustace had been there, do you think the knowledge he had from botany books would be more valuable than the knowledge the Pevensies had from there books? What do you think Lewis is trying to say by referring to the "right" books?.
Possibly Eustace would know a thing or two more than what the Pevensies did about plants. He would at least have a frame of reference to identify those plants he wouldn't be familiar with. And to recognise those plants he knew about. Just like Sir Joseph Banks who accompanied Captain Cook in 1770. If Eustace had been with the Pevensies in Prince Caspian he would still have had to ask Trumpkin for advice, I think. But would he have done that before he was dragonned? I think that C.S.Lewis is saying the "right" books are those sorts of books that would be helpful in any given situation. If Eustace had read the "right" books he would be more familiar with the more creative side of human knowledge and less dismissive of it. He would have known not only what a dragon was supposed to be and stories about such creatures, but would also recognise the symbolism attached to it.
8. Compare and Contrast Reepicheep and the "masterful" Lord.Both characters are masculine, goal driven beings. But whereas Reepicheep knows where he is heading and why, in a positive way, the "masterful" Lord, is fleeing from Miraz, and is afraid to go back. Also, the Lord, being human, is subject to human failings such as anger and pride. He also probably used physical violence to control others to get them to agree to his point of view. Or is he simply someone used to being obeyed and who hates being contradicted?
9. What do you think of Caspian's and the Lady's exchange at the end of the chapter?Actually it says a lot about both people. Caspian wants to court the lady there and then, and she is saying not so fast. Get the job done and then let us consider the next item of business. Interesting really.