Flower is a fictional character from Walt Disney’s 1942 animated film “Bambi.” This character is a skunk and is one of Bambi’s best friends, along with Thumper the rabbit.
Flower is portrayed as a shy, soft-spoken, and gentle skunk, providing a gentle contrast to the more spirited and playful natures of Bambi and Thumper.
The character gets its name from a cute and innocent mistake. When Bambi meets the skunk, he, not knowing the creature’s name or even what a skunk is, innocently names him “Flower” after being prompted by the skunk’s presence amidst the blossoms.
The skunk, in a moment of bashfulness, accepts the name, saying, “He can call me Flower if he wants to. I don’t mind.”
A Delicate Introduction
When Walt Disney brought “Bambi” to the big screen in 1942, it wasn’t just a tale of a young deer’s journey through life. It was a heartfelt depiction of childhood, friendship, loss, and growth. Among Bambi’s close circle of friends was Flower, the shy and sweet-skinned skunk, a character who brought much charm and warmth to the narrative.
Flower’s first encounter with Bambi is etched in memory for its innocence and humor. When the young deer mistakenly refers to the skunk as “Flower,” the bashful creature responds, “That’s alright.
He can call me Flower if he wants to.” This scene doesn’t just give Flower his name but subtly teaches children (and reminds adults) of the beauty in accepting differences and the simple joys of unexpected friendships.
Friendship and Loyalty
The camaraderie between Bambi, Thumper, and Flower is the beating heart of the narrative. Through thick and thin, their bond remains unbroken. Flower’s loyalty is depicted in various scenes where he stands beside his friends despite the dangers they face, from the gripping forest fire to encounters with Man.
His loyalty stems from a place of genuine affection and a deep-seated understanding of the importance of unity.
In a world that is often unpredictable and fraught with challenges, Flower’s unwavering support symbolizes the friends in our lives who remain steadfast, regardless of the circumstances. These friendships are the pillars upon which we often lean during our toughest times.
Flower’s Personality
Flower coyly blushes and often hides behind his tail, especially when shown affection. He always maintains a friendly demeanor and typically sees the positive side of things.
The only time he seems wary is when Friend Owl describes falling in love. However, his reaction leans more towards naive fear rather than disgust, unlike his friends Bambi and Thumper.
Unlike Thumper, Flower doesn’t display as much bravery and can easily feel pressured. But as the midquel shows, he can turn his anxiety into a defensive weapon, much like real-life skunks.
Even though he once declared he’d resist falling in love, he couldn’t resist the flirtations of a female skunk and became the first among his friends to experience love.
Appearances
While exploring, Bambi and Thumper come across a young skunk. As Bambi is still grasping language, he mistakenly refers to the skunk as a “pretty flower”. Thumper finds this hilarious and tries to set Bambi straight. However, the skunk doesn’t seem bothered and embraces the name “Flower”.
Whether he had another name remains a mystery, as everyone simply calls him Flower. As winter approaches, we see a slightly plumper Flower in deep hibernation. Though Bambi and Thumper try to rouse him for some wintry fun, Flower prefers to continue his long slumber until spring.
Come spring, the trio – Bambi, Thumper, and now-adult Flower – encounter Friend Owl who cautions them about the intoxicating effects of being “twitterpated”.
Although they resolve to remain unaffected, Flower soon succumbs to the charm of a female skunk named Petunia. He falls for her after a sweet kiss.
Flower reappears towards the film’s conclusion, introducing a son, whom he affectionately names “Bambi” in honor of his dear friend.
Petunia & Flower
Petunia, affectionately referred to as Miss Skunk, plays a modest but delightful role in the storyline of Bambi.
As the tale progresses, she encounters Flower and is instantly smitten by him. Petunia makes her debut in a charming scene where she sees Flower and feels an undeniable attraction. With a tender kiss, she captures Flower’s heart, sealing their fate as partners.
Before the movie culminates, the couple welcomes a young one into the world, and in a heartfelt gesture, Flower names their son “Bambi” in honor of his cherished friend. The narrative arc for Petunia concludes with her alongside Flower, both observing the birth of Bambi’s offspring, a beautiful circle of life moment.
Voice
- Stan Alexander (young, original film)
- Tim Davis (adolescent, original film)
- Sterling Holloway (young adult, original film)
- Dallas McKennon (Thumper’s Great Race)
- Nicky Jones (Bambi II)
- Roland Rubio (LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest)
Quick Facts
- Many assume Flower to be female because of his name, delicate voice, and distinct eyelashes.
- During World War II, the Disney Studio designed troop insignias for the US Military. For several Chemical Warfare units, they chose Flower as their emblem.
- Flower, similar to numerous animals, consumes extra food to accumulate body fat in preparation for winter hibernation.