Father and Son as Caregivers

The Death of Bunny Munro

This flow traces the reversal in which Bunny Junior increasingly comforts and guides the father who is supposed to protect him.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Beer Offer The Beer Offer from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Beer Offer A child's attempt at care Bunny Junior offers to get Bunny another beer from the fridge.

The Beer Offer from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Beer Offer A child's attempt at care Bunny Junior offers to get Bunny another beer from the fridge.

The Beer Offer A child's attempt at care Bunny Junior offers to get Bunny another beer from the fridge. The offer gives him a small role in a household where events have overwhelmed him. The role proves inadequate Bunny’s grief and intoxication leave him unable to respond consistently. The boy’s practical kindness cannot substitute for the attention and protection he needs.

The Navigator’s Pride The Navigator’s Pride from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Navigator’s Pride A shared responsibility Bunny gives Bunny Junior the street directory and asks him to navigate.

The Navigator’s Pride from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Navigator’s Pride A shared responsibility Bunny gives Bunny Junior the street directory and asks him to navigate.

The Navigator’s Pride A shared responsibility Bunny gives Bunny Junior the street directory and asks him to navigate. The boy is proud to contribute and believes he is learning an adult skill. Affection built on usefulness Bunny praises his son when the directions help. Their closeness is genuine, but it depends too heavily on the child being competent and helpful.

The Ear Wound The Ear Wound from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Ear Wound A child offers reassurance Bunny Junior tells Bunny that Mushroom Dave was one of the crazy people and points out the wound on his ear.

The Ear Wound from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Ear Wound A child offers reassurance Bunny Junior tells Bunny that Mushroom Dave was one of the crazy people and points out the wound on his ear.

The Ear Wound A child offers reassurance Bunny Junior tells Bunny that Mushroom Dave was one of the crazy people and points out the wound on his ear. He tries to make light of a frightening attack. Reassurance changes direction Bunny is the injured, shaken adult, while his son helps him process what happened. The reversal reveals how much the boy has learned to manage Bunny’s instability.

The Visit to the Grandfather The Visit to the Grandfather from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Visit to the Grandfather The child speaks for his father Bunny Junior tells Bunny Munro Senior that his father could sell a bicycle to a barracuda.

The Visit to the Grandfather from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Visit to the Grandfather The child speaks for his father Bunny Junior tells Bunny Munro Senior that his father could sell a bicycle to a barracuda.

The Visit to the Grandfather The child speaks for his father Bunny Junior tells Bunny Munro Senior that his father could sell a bicycle to a barracuda. The praise is an attempt to defend Bunny against the old man’s contempt. Protection fails both ways Bunny Junior is then struck with the cane, and Bunny cannot prevent it. The boy’s loyalty is powerful, but he cannot repair the conflict between generations.

The Poolside Farewell The Poolside Farewell from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Poolside Farewell A shared final ritual Bunny takes Bunny Junior on the Electric children’s train and lets him turn the key.

The Poolside Farewell from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Poolside Farewell A shared final ritual Bunny takes Bunny Junior on the Electric children’s train and lets him turn the key.

The Poolside Farewell A shared final ritual Bunny takes Bunny Junior on the Electric children’s train and lets him turn the key. The boy laughs, briefly experiencing uncomplicated closeness with his father. A child keeps vigil Bunny dies after they sit beside the pool. Bunny Junior strokes his brow and kisses him, returning the tenderness that he has long wished to receive.

The evening after Libby’s death

During the first day of selling

After Mushroom Dave attacks Bunny at the bungalow

During the storm at Bunny Munro Senior’s bedsit

At Butlins after the crowd forgives Bunny