Sylvie and Bruno · Chapter
VII: The Baron’s Embassy explained
The Vice-Warden and his wife scheme to keep Sylvie and Bruno out of sight by sending them on a picnic with the Professor.
What happens
The Vice-Warden and his wife scheme to keep Sylvie and Bruno out of sight by sending them on a picnic with the Professor. Meanwhile, the Baron Doppelgeist visits, and the Vice-Warden and his wife attempt to impress him with Uggug's supposed talents through a series of deceptions. The Baron, increasingly suspicious and offended, eventually discovers his room filled with frogs and flees in anger. The chapter ends with Arthur Forester playing the 'Sonata Pathetique'.
Themes in this chapter
Social Critique and Class
The Vice-Warden and his wife's elaborate deceptions to impress the Baron highlight the absurdities and pretensions of social climbing and class status.
Family and Parental Relationships
The Vice-Warden and his wife dote on Uggug, but their manipulation and the boy's sulkiness reveal a dysfunctional family dynamic.
Characters to notice
- Sylvie
Sent on a picnic with Bruno by the Lady to keep them out of sight.
- Bruno
Excited for the picnic; called a 'little simpleton' by the Lady.
- Sub-Warden
Schemes with his wife to deceive the Baron about Uggug's abilities.
- Baron Doppelgeist
Visiting dignitary who is repeatedly tricked and eventually flees after finding frogs in his room.
- Uggug
Reluctantly performs for the Baron; fills a basket with frogs.
- Arthur Forester
Revealed to be the actual pianist playing the Sonata Pathetique.
Key passages
“My own darlings, I’ve been planning a little treat for you! The Professor shall take you a long walk into the woods this beautiful evening: and you shall take a basket of food with you, and have a little picnic down by the river!”
The Lady tells Sylvie and Bruno she has arranged for the Professor to take them on a picnic by the river to get them out of the way.
The Lady's 'treat' is a ruse to hide the children from the Baron.
“My room is full of frogs—I leave you!”
The Baron angrily announces he is leaving because his room has been filled with frogs.
The Baron's departure after discovering the frogs is the climax of the Vice-Warden's failed scheme.