# XXIII explained — Bambi

> Chapter companion for Bambi by Felix Salten.

## What happens

Under a silent, snow-covered forest, Bambi and the old stag witness a fox being hunted by a small hound. The fox pleads for mercy, calling the dog a traitor for serving Him, but the dog professes devotion to his master. The other forest creatures join in condemning the dog, but the dog attacks and kills the fox. The old stag reflects on the tragedy of the dog's blind loyalty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humanity as Destructive Force

The dog's loyalty to 'Him' leads to the fox's death, illustrating how human influence corrupts natural bonds.

### Fear and Danger

The fox's terror and the dog's relentless pursuit create a palpable atmosphere of danger and violence.

### Community and Isolation

The forest creatures unite in condemning the dog, yet the fox dies alone, highlighting the tension between collective outrage and individual fate.

## Character check-ins

### Bambi

Observes the fox's death from the hollow, calls it 'dreadful'.

### the old Prince

Lies beside Bambi, explains the dog's devotion and the tragedy of blind loyalty.

### the Hare

Not directly present, but the chapter's animal chorus includes voices like the squirrel, magpie, jay, weasel, ferret, and crows.

## Key lines

> The most dreadful part of all is that the dogs believe what the hound just said. They believe it, they pass their lives in fear, they hate Him and themselves and yet they'd die for His sake.

The old stag tells Bambi that the true horror is the dog's sincere devotion to a master it fears and hates, yet for whom it would sacrifice everything.

_This encapsulates the chapter's critique of blind loyalty and the destructive influence of humanity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bambi_se/chapters/xxiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bambi_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bambi_se/chapters