Sylvie and Bruno, first published in 1889, and its 1893 second volume Sylvie and Bruno Concluded form the last novel by Lewis Carroll published during his lifetime. Both volumes were illustrated by Harry Furniss.

The novel has two main plots; one set in the real world at the time the book was published (the Victorian era), the other in the fantasy world of Fairyland. While the latter plot is a fairytale with many nonsense elements and poems, similar to Carroll's most famous children's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the story set in Victorian Britain is a social novel, with its characters discussing various concepts and aspects of religion, society, philosophy and morality.

Origin

Two chapters from the first volume, "Fairy Sylvie" and "Bruno's Revenge", originally appeared as short stories in Aunt Judy's Magazine in 1867. Some years later, in 1873, Carroll had the idea to use these as the core for a longer story. Much of the rest of the novel was compiled from notes of ideas and dialogue collected by Carroll over the years (which he called "litterature" in the introduction to the first volume).

Carroll initially intended for the novel to be published in one volume. However, due to its length, it was divided into two volumes.

The novel is not nearly as well-known as the Alice books. The poem "The Mad Gardener's Song", widely reprinted elsewhere, is the best-known part of the book.

Characters

Lead characters

The Narrator

While never given a name, (although he is occasionally called "Mister Sir" by Bruno) this character serves a supporting role in every plotline in the novel, and the story is told through his eyes. At first, he serves principally as an omniscient observer in Fairyland, although his part in the real-world story is somewhat more substantial. However, towards the middle of the novel, he begins to take on a more active role in both dimensions of the story.

Sylvie

A young Sprite at the beginning of the novel, and later a true Fairy. Sylvie is the princess of Fairyland, daughter of the Warden, and sister of Bruno. While exhibiting very innocent traits, she seems far more mature than her younger brother, and often becomes exasperated with his illogical statements.

Bruno

Bruno is a very young fairy child, who uses broken grammar and who seems to have a somewhat twisted view of logic. He abhors his lessons, which his sister makes him take on a daily basis.

Characters in the fairy world

The Warden

Later the King of Fairyland. The father of Sylvie and Bruno, and the rightful ruler of Outland. He is the intended victim of the plots of the Emperor, Empress and Lord Chancellor, but is actually in full control of events.

The Emperor (Sibimet)

Originally the Sub-Warden, the Emperor conspires along with his wife and the Chancellor to steal the rule of Outland from the Warden. He is a rather ridiculous character, but not unintelligent.

The Empress (Tabikat)

The wife of the Emperor, she is an entirely stupid woman, and is unknowingly the butt of many jokes. She is content to spend all her time doting over her hideous son, Uggug.

The Lord Chancellor

The chief underling of the Emperor and Empress, he frequently is willing conspirator in their dirty work.

Uggug

An ugly and stupid child who is doted upon and spoiled by his mother, and behaves in an obnoxious manner toward everyone. He changes into a porcupine near the end.

The Professor

A delightfully ridiculous old man, he invents many ridiculous items, and then proceeds to have no purpose for them. The most wonderful item in his possession is the Outlandish Watch (so-called because it comes from Outland). It has the ability to turn back time, although it cannot allow its holder to truly alter events of the past. It can also play any one hour backwards.

The Other Professor

A Professor friend of the Professor's. He is frequently asleep, and wakes up to recite poetry. In Furniss's illustrations, his face is never shown.

Characters in the real world

Arthur

An intelligent, thoughtful, curious young man. He often stimulates the storyline - and the other characters - by introducing questions of morality and religion. He is in love with Lady Muriel. He is an extremely moral person, and eventually sacrifices himself to save a village dying of fever.

Lady Muriel

Another intelligent person, she is the object of Arthur's affection, and often helps to engage in intelligent conversation with many of the other real-world characters, especially the Narrator and the Earl. She endures a failed engagement with Eric Lindon, before marrying Arthur.

The Earl

The father of Lady Muriel, he is both a father figure to the younger characters, and a comrade to the aging Narrator.

Eric Lindon

Lady Muriel's cousin, and one-time fiance. He breaks their engagement upon realizing that she believes that they are religiously incompatible, but will not break it herself. An ex-soldier, he exhibits great self-sacrifice and courage.

Mein Herr (German for "My Lord")

Seemingly a traveler from a distant planet, Mein Herr is the catalyst for both satire and several puns. His planet has already experienced much of what earth is currently dealing with, and he gladly shares the end results of some of our more ridiculous customs.

References

• Carroll, Lewis (1982). The Complete, Fully Illustrated Works. Gramercy Books. ISBN 0-517-14781-5. 

External links

• Sylvie and Bruno, available at Project Gutenberg.
• The Genesis of Sylvie and Bruno: from chaos to cosmos
• "Dodgson's Dodges": On Sylvie and Bruno