# VII: The Baron’s Embassy explained — Sylvie and Bruno

> Chapter companion for Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-vii-the-baron-s-embassy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters