The Fight Over the Father's Care

The Death of Bunny Munro

This flow tracks the struggle over Bunny Munro Senior’s care and the ways every proposed intervention meets resistance, resentment, or delay.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Urgent Call The First Urgent Call from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The First Urgent Call A message from the office Geoffrey tells Bunny that his father’s carer needs him to visit urgently.

The First Urgent Call from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The First Urgent Call A message from the office Geoffrey tells Bunny that his father’s carer needs him to visit urgently.

The First Urgent Call A message from the office Geoffrey tells Bunny that his father’s carer needs him to visit urgently. Bunny receives the message as another demand in an already chaotic day. Delay becomes a habit Bunny does not immediately go. As Libby’s death takes over his attention, the old man’s worsening condition remains outside his field of action.

The Failed Telephone Call The Failed Telephone Call from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Failed Telephone Call A son's attempt Bunny phones his father and tries to say that he has something important to tell him.

The Failed Telephone Call from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Failed Telephone Call A son's attempt Bunny phones his father and tries to say that he has something important to tell him.

The Failed Telephone Call A son's attempt Bunny phones his father and tries to say that he has something important to tell him. The old man’s coughing and confusion make the conversation difficult. Fear interrupts care Bunny stutters, hangs up, and imagines the old man’s death. Rather than seek another way to help, he returns to drink and postpones the visit again.

The Carer’s Resignation The Carer’s Resignation from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Carer’s Resignation A limit stated plainly Miss Lumley tells Bunny that she can no longer tolerate the old man’s abuse.

The Carer’s Resignation from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Carer’s Resignation A limit stated plainly Miss Lumley tells Bunny that she can no longer tolerate the old man’s abuse.

The Carer’s Resignation A limit stated plainly Miss Lumley tells Bunny that she can no longer tolerate the old man’s abuse. She says his illness requires professional care and that he belongs in hospital. Family duty reassigned She gives Bunny the keys and leaves. The practical act makes him the person who must confront his father, whether or not he feels capable.

Hospital Refused Hospital Refused from "The Death of Bunny Munro". Hospital Refused Care meets defiance Bunny tells his father that he needs medical attention.

Hospital Refused from "The Death of Bunny Munro". Hospital Refused Care meets defiance Bunny tells his father that he needs medical attention.

Hospital Refused Care meets defiance Bunny tells his father that he needs medical attention. Bunny Munro Senior refuses help and curses the carer who suggested it. Illness remains untreated The old man’s resistance leaves Bunny unsure how to proceed. His own alcohol use and physical injuries make him poorly equipped to enforce the care his father needs.

The Door Closed The Door Closed from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Door Closed Care turns into conflict The argument escalates when Bunny Junior speaks up and Bunny Munro Senior attacks him.

The Door Closed from "The Death of Bunny Munro". The Door Closed Care turns into conflict The argument escalates when Bunny Junior speaks up and Bunny Munro Senior attacks him.

The Door Closed Care turns into conflict The argument escalates when Bunny Junior speaks up and Bunny Munro Senior attacks him. Bunny fails to prevent the blow and is himself threatened with the cane. No plan survives Bunny and Bunny Junior leave without arranging hospital care. The old man’s final admission that he is dying does not produce a reconciliation or a workable solution.

During Bunny’s return to Grayson Court

The first night after Libby’s death

The day after the attack on Bunny

During the visit to the bedsit

At the end of the bedsit visit