Sylvie and Bruno · Chapter
How to Make a Phlizz explained
The narrator encounters Sylvie and Bruno, who have taken the form of common children and demonstrate the creation of a 'Phlizz'—a nursemaid illusion made of air.
What happens
The narrator encounters Sylvie and Bruno, who have taken the form of common children and demonstrate the creation of a 'Phlizz'—a nursemaid illusion made of air. They visit the Hall, where Arthur and Lady Muriel engage in a theological discussion about selfless morality versus reward-based religion. The chapter also features a lame child carried by the narrator and a ragged boy selling exotic flowers.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Childhood Wisdom
Sylvie and Bruno's playful creation of the Phlizz and their childlike trust contrast with adult theological debates.
Morality and Ethics
Arthur criticizes reward-based religious motives, advocating for self-sacrifice and innate sense of right and wrong.
Reality vs. Fantasy
The Phlizz illusion and the exotic flowers blur the line between the real world and Outland.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Carries a lame child up the stairs, buys a bouquet from a ragged boy, and interacts with Sylvie and Bruno in their common-child forms.
- Sylvie
Appears as a common child with Bruno; explains the Phlizz and corrects Bruno when he tries to reveal its making.
- Bruno
Appears as a common child; demonstrates the Phlizz and gleefully reveals he was the voice of the nursemaid.
- Arthur Forester
Engages in a theological debate with Lady Muriel about self-sacrifice versus reward-based religion.
- Lady Muriel Orme
Discusses religion and morality with Arthur; expresses gratitude for the conversation.
- Eric Lindon
Returns from a walk, interrupting Arthur and Lady Muriel's discussion.
Key passages
“First oo takes a lot of air—”
Bruno begins to explain how to make a Phlizz by gathering air.
Bruno's explanation of the illusion is cut off by Sylvie.
“Whatever, Lord, we lend to Thee, Repaid a thousandfold shall be, Then gladly will we give to Thee, Giver of all!”
Arthur quotes a hymn that promises a thousandfold return for giving to God.
Arthur uses this to criticize selfish motives in religion.
“Talk of Original Sin! Can you have a stronger proof of the Original Goodness there must be in this nation, than the fact that Religion has been preached to us, as a commercial speculation, for a century, and that we still believe in a God?”
Arthur argues that the persistence of faith despite commercialized preaching proves inherent human goodness.
Arthur's bitter critique of mercenary religion.