# How to Make a Phlizz explained — Sylvie and Bruno

> Chapter companion for Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xix-how-to-make-a-phlizz
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters