Sylvie and Bruno · Chapter
III: Birthday-Presents explained
The Warden returns to find the Sub-Warden and Lord Chancellor fabricating a revolution to justify a change in government.
What happens
The Warden returns to find the Sub-Warden and Lord Chancellor fabricating a revolution to justify a change in government. The Sub-Warden's wife, My Lady, pressures for her husband's promotion to Vice-Warden. Meanwhile, it is Sylvie's birthday. The Professor gives her a secondhand pincushion, and Uggug spitefully dumps butter on her. Bruno, having no gift, offers a hug and a kiss, which Sylvie treasures most. The chapter ends with the Sub-Warden and Chancellor plotting further, and Sylvie forgiving Uggug despite his cruelty.
Themes in this chapter
Social Critique and Class
The Sub-Warden and Lord Chancellor fabricate a revolution to manipulate the Warden and advance their own political ambitions, critiquing the hypocrisy and self-interest of those in power.
Innocence and Childhood Wisdom
Sylvie's forgiveness of Uggug and Bruno's heartfelt gift of a hug contrast with the adults' scheming, highlighting the purity and moral clarity of children.
Family and Parental Relationships
The dysfunctional family dynamics are evident: the Sub-Warden abuses Uggug, My Lady spoils him, and Sylvie and Bruno are neglected by the adults.
Characters to notice
- Sub-Warden
Schemes with the Lord Chancellor to fabricate a revolution and advance his own position; abuses Uggug for wasting butter.
- Warden
Returns with Sylvie and Bruno; sees through the fabricated revolution but accepts responsibility for the orders.
- Sylvie
Celebrates her birthday; receives a pincushion from the Professor and a hug from Bruno; endures Uggug's cruelty with patience and later forgives him.
- Bruno
Sad that he has no material gift for Sylvie, offers a hug and a kiss, which she cherishes.
- Uggug
Spitefully dumps butter on Sylvie; is boxed on the ear by his father and later dragged out by the Chancellor.
- Professor
Gives Sylvie a secondhand pincushion as a birthday present; discusses lecture plans with My Lady.
- The Lord Chancellor
Assists the Sub-Warden in fabricating the revolution; later removes Uggug from the room.
- Baron Doppelgeist
My Lady, the Sub-Warden's wife, aggressively pushes for her husband's promotion and praises Uggug's behavior.
Key passages
““It’s this !” cried the bad boy, exultingly, as he emptied the dish over her, and then, with a grin of delight at his own cleverness, looked round for applause.”
Uggug triumphantly dumps a dish of butter on Sylvie, grinning with pride at his cruel joke.
Uggug's malicious act underscores his spoiled and cruel nature.
““I went to my toy-cupboard,” he said with a very sorrowful face, “to see if there were somefin fit for a present for oo! And there isn’t nuffin ! They’s all broken, everyone! And I haven’t got no money left, to buy oo a birthday-present! And I can’t give oo nuffin but this !””
Bruno sadly explains that he has no money or unbroken toys to give Sylvie, so he offers a hug and a kiss as his only gift.
Bruno's sincere and selfless gift contrasts with the material and spiteful presents of others.
““I don’t mind about the butter,” she said, “and I—I’m sorry he hurt you!””
Sylvie forgives Uggug for the butter incident and expresses sympathy for his pain after being punished.
Sylvie's forgiveness highlights her gentle and forgiving nature.
