IV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Growth and Maturation

  Bambi's encounter with his father and his mother's promise that he will one day be as strong and handsome fuels his desire to grow up.

• Fear and Danger

  The children's fearful discussion about the meaning of danger highlights their early awareness of threats.

• The Unknowable and Mystery

  The fathers' distant, silent behavior and the mystery surrounding their presence perplex Bambi and deepen the sense of the unknown.

Characters to notice

• Bambi

  Curious about danger, awestruck by his father, and hopeful about his future.

• Gobo

  Joins the discussion about danger and is timidly awed by the fathers.

• Faline

  Defines danger as 'what you run away from' and admires the stags.

• Mother

  Guides Bambi through his questions about the fathers and reassures him.

• the Hare

  Greets Bambi politely and is described as suave and prudent.

• the old Prince

  Passes by in silent splendor, leaving Bambi entranced.

Key passages

• “Suddenly Faline cried out loudly and joyfully, 'I know what danger is—it’s what you run away from.'”

  Faline suddenly declared that danger is simply something you flee from.

  Faline's childlike definition of danger.

• “Aunt Ena said solemnly, 'Those were your fathers.'”

  Aunt Ena told the children that the two stags were their fathers.

  Reveals the identity of the majestic stags.

• “'If you live, my son, if you are cunning and don’t run into danger, you’ll be as strong and handsome as your father is sometime, and you’ll have antlers like his, too.'”

  Bambi's mother promised that if he survives and avoids danger, he will grow up to be as strong and handsome as his father, with antlers like his.

  Mother's reassurance and vision for Bambi's future.