# Bruno — Sylvie and Bruno character guide > Bruno in Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Thither Bruno, Poor Bruno, The real Bruno, Not Bruno **First appearance:** 0001-volume-i-i-less-bread-more-taxes ## Snapshot A tiny fairy prince who cooks queer soup for ungrateful frogs, corrects arithmetic with cheerful nonsense, and insists that Sylvie belongs to him. ## Who they are Bruno is the younger half of the fairy pair, a boy who stages Shakespeare for frogs, feeds them Birthday-Feast soup they refuse to open their mouths for, and treats every adult question as an invitation to mischief. He clings to Sylvie with fierce possessiveness — 'She are my very mine!' — even as he torments her with riddles she cannot pronounce. His scrambled grammar and unanswerable logic make him the book's engine of comedy, but his stubborn tenderness toward his sister is what gives the fairy scenes their warmth. ## Relationships ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Bruno is a playful, affectionate child who frequently interacts with the Narrator as a close companion and confidant. ### [Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/professor) _friendship_ Bruno and the Professor share a playful, mentor-like bond, with the Professor indulging Bruno's childish curiosity. ### [Ma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/ma) _family_ Ma is Bruno's mother, providing care and affection to the young fairy child. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Bruno is a playful, affectionate child who frequently interacts with the Narrator as a close companion and confidant. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Bruno is a playful, affectionate child who frequently interacts with the Narrator as a close companion and confidant. ### [Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/professor) _friendship_ Bruno and the Professor share a playful, mentor-like bond, with the Professor indulging Bruno's childish curiosity. ### [Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/professor) _friendship_ Bruno and the Professor share a playful, mentor-like bond, with the Professor indulging Bruno's childish curiosity. ### [Ma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/ma) _family_ Ma is Bruno's mother, providing care and affection to the young fairy child. ### [Ma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/ma) _family_ Ma is Bruno's mother, providing care and affection to the young fairy child. ## In the story ### [I: Less Bread! More Taxes!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-i-less-bread-more-taxes) Enters looking for Sylvie, argues with her about lessons, and interacts with the Professor. ### [III: Birthday-Presents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-iii-birthday-presents) Sad that he has no material gift for Sylvie, offers a hug and a kiss, which she cherishes. ### [IV: A Cunning Conspiracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-iv-a-cunning-conspiracy) Sobs convulsively after trying to give his cake to the beggar; shows compassion. ### [A Beggar's Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-v-a-beggar-s-palace) Shy at first, then engages with the Gardener; runs to give cake to the beggar and joyfully reunites with his father. ### [VI: The Magic Locket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-vi-the-magic-locket) Tastes the Phlizz fruit and finds it flavorless; spells out the inscriptions on the lockets. ### [VII: The Baron’s Embassy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-vii-the-baron-s-embassy) Excited for the picnic; called a 'little simpleton' by the Lady. ### [A Ride on a Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-a-ride-on-a-lion) Rides the lion, suggests kissing and rubbing the locket, and interacts with the beggar-man (his father). ### [A Jester and a Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-ix-a-jester-and-a-bear) Has a hatstand placed on his head by the Vice-Warden; later runs out of the room with Sylvie. ### [X: The Other Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-x-the-other-professor) Expresses fear of the Other Professor, criticizes the singing as 'very extremely ugly', and engages in a playful argument with Sylvie about rules. ### [XI: Peter and Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xi-peter-and-paul) Listens to the poem and is exhausted by its length, resting on Sylvie's lap. ### [A Musical Gardener](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xii-a-musical-gardener) Expresses his unhappiness about being mistreated by the Vice-Warden and Uggug, and participates in the search for the Other Professor. ### [A Visit to Dogland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xiii-a-visit-to-dogland) Exhibits childish fear and delight; interacts playfully with the Dog-King, hugging him and throwing a stick. ### [Fairy-Sylvie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-fairy-sylvie) Found destroying Sylvie's garden out of spite; the narrator tricks him into beautifying it as 'revenge'. ### [XV: Bruno's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xv-bruno-s-revenge) Creates a garden for Sylvie, struggles with the word 'revenge,' and shows remorse for his initial intent to spoil her garden. ### [XVI: A Changed Crocodile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi-a-changed-crocodile) Bruno is with Sylvie, describes the Professor's machine and the crocodile, and argues about walking on its forehead. ### [The Three Badgers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii-the-three-badgers) Performs the song of the three badgers and herrings, with Sylvie providing musical accompaniment. ### [Queer Street, Number Forty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii-queer-street-number-forty) Identifies the Professor, swings on Eric Lindon's hand, tries to wake the narrator. ### [How to Make a Phlizz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xix-how-to-make-a-phlizz) Appears as a common child; demonstrates the Phlizz and gleefully reveals he was the voice of the nursemaid. ### [Light Come, Light Go](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xx-light-come-light-go) Visits Lady Muriel with Sylvie, reluctantly accepts a kiss, and later comments that drying the flowers will be 'no good at all.' ### [Through the Ivory Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxi-through-the-ivory-door) Playfully argues with Sylvie about language; shows generosity by giving Sylvie the only blackberry. ### [Crossing the Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxii-crossing-the-line) Rescued by Eric, recovers quickly, shows interest in a broken knife handle. ### [The Frogs' Birthday-Treat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiv-the-frogs-birthday-treat) Bruno admits to losing the Queen's Baby, amuses a young frog, cooks the birthday feast, performs Shakespeare bits (Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear) with somersaults, and tells a story from a foxglove. ### [Bruno's Lessons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-i-bruno-s-lessons) Bruno is found by the narrator in Kensington Gardens, gives lessons in spelling, geography, and singing, and argues with Sylvie. ### [III: Streaks of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii-streaks-of-dawn) Invisibly drives Lady Muriel toward Arthur by jumping and shouting; comments about a stick going through his head. ### [IV: The Dog-King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv-the-dog-king) Bruno trots alongside, asks for directions, argues about being 'bonnie,' and interacts with the Dog-King. ### [Matilda Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-v-matilda-jane) Counts pigs with precise logic, refuses to kiss anyone but Sylvie, and gives a literal interpretation of the moral verse. ### [Willie's Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi-willie-s-wife) Assists in stopping Willie, rocks the cradle, and comments on the dairyman's kindness and the dog's barking. ### [X: Jabbering and Jam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-x-jabbering-and-jam) Engages in a playful and confusing dialogue with the young lady about counting, belonging, and looking-glasses. ### [XI: The Man in the Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xi-the-man-in-the-moon) Bruno interacts with Mein Herr, asking questions about age and the invisible dog, and later claps in excitement at the idea of the Man-in-the-Moon. ### [Fairy-Music](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii-fairy-music) Assists Sylvie in helping the Count; momentarily offended by being called 'eel' but relents. ### [XIV: Bruno’s Picnic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiv-bruno-s-picnic) Interrupts Sylvie's story with playful corrections, invents a tiny Mouse story, and shows concern about the Lion's 'nubbling'. ### [XV: The Little Foxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xv-the-little-foxes) Interjects excitedly during Sylvie's story, offering commentary and corrections, and is deeply engaged in the narrative. ### [XVI: Beyond These Voices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvi-beyond-these-voices) Disappears mysteriously along with Sylvie; suspected by Lady Muriel of playing a trick. ### [To the Rescue!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvii-to-the-rescue) Sleepy and demanding, he asks for a song and is soothed by the Professor's performance. ### [XIX: A Fairy-Duet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xix-a-fairy-duet) Sings the first part of the duet; his childish treble is familiar to the narrator. ### [Gammon and Spinach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xx-gammon-and-spinach) Bruno comments on the banquet, tastes the medicine, looks for his hat, and offers to help with conjuring tricks. ### [The Professor's Lecture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxi-the-professor-s-lecture) Eagerly participates in the lecture, offers to help, and is used in an experiment. ### [The Banquet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii-the-banquet) Asks for plum-pudding, feeds the cat, discusses riddles, and declares himself a 'singular boy'. ### [The Pig-Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiii-the-pig-tale) Comments on the story, asks for cake, and suggests a story about tigers and bumblebees. ### [XXIV: The Beggar's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiv-the-beggar-s-return) Engages in playful fable-telling and conversation with the Professor; clings to the returned Warden. ### [Life Out of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-life-out-of-death) In the vision, he examines the Jewel against the sky, sees it turn blue, and reads the alternate legend; he kisses the 'little red star.' ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/bruno - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters