Faline

Faline is a fictional character in Felix Salten's 1923 novel Bambi, A Life in the Woods and its sequel Bambi's Children, as well as in the Disney animated films Bambi and Bambi II. Her mother is Ena. First shown as a fawn and later as an adult doe, Faline's role is as Bambi's friend and later mate.

Faline was featured as one of the guests in Disney's House of Mouse.

Appearances

Bambi, A Life in the Woods

Faline, sister to twin fawn Gobo, showed considerably less personality than in the animated films despite an extended role. There was little to indicate romantic ideas in her behavior as a fawn, and when she and Bambi were grown up it was Bambi, not Faline, who was the pursuer and dominant figure in their romance. Also, in the novel, they separated shortly after mating much as real deer do. She was last seen toward the end of the book, old and grey.

Faline and Gobo were also Bambi's cousins in the novel, as it states that Aunt Eena (Ena as she is known in the book) is Bambi's mother's sister. Walt Disney did not include this in the original film because it would have been incest when Faline gave birth to Bambi's twins.

Bambi's Children

Faline plays a much larger role in this sequel to Bambi, A Life in the Woods, being the mother to Bambi's twin fawns, Geno and Gurri. At this point in the storyline, Bambi has assumed his role as leader of the herd, and his family is known as the "First Family". Bambi's Children is more stiffly written, and the characters come across that way as well, dialogue and actions being more formal than in the earlier book. Faline worries about her fawns, but is willing to give them the independence needed to learn how to survive as adults. She is still frightened of elk, can be harsh in her emotions and stubborn, but is big-hearted as well as she adopts two orphaned buck fawns.

Disney films

Bambi

In the animated film adaptation of Bambi, Faline first appears as an energetic, giggly young fawn who Bambi encounters while gazing at his reflection in a small pool while frolicking in a meadow one day. Albeit at first he is startled by her playful behavior, they quickly become friends and chase each other through the meadow. Faline later appears halfway through the film as a lovely adult with whom Bambi becomes besotted; however, their blossoming romance is soon threatened by a belligerent stag named Ronno with the intentions of mating with Faline. Fortunately, Bambi manages to defeat Ronno in battle by sending him tumbling down a hill into a small pond, earning Faline's heart.

Bambi and Faline are later separated during the start of a wildfire. When Faline later leaves home in search of her lover, she finds herself cornered by a pack of snarling hunting dogs, which Bambi soon manages to ward off after stumbling upon his trapped beloved. He and Faline are later reunited permanently toward the conclusion of the film as the woodland creatures seek refuge from the fire on a riverbank. The following spring Faline gives birth to a pair of twin fawns, under Bambi's watchful eye as the new Great Prince of the Forest.

Bambi II

Faline's personality takes on a calmer, milder side. She harbors a major crush on Bambi and seldom raises her voice, treating those around her respectfully and kindly (including a younger version of Ronno, the envious buck who had attempted to win her affections in the previous film). She cares deeply for Bambi and is depicted as attractive and sweet, albeit Ronno is frequently seen flirting with her and attempting to impress her with exaggerated or false tales of his alleged acts of courage. A nod is even made to the fashion in which Ronno tried to force Faline away from Bambi in the original film. Towards the end of the film, Bambi is inadvertently prodded into Faline by an ill-tempered porcupine, resulting in an accidental kiss that leaves Faline in a dreamy, blissful daze, thus - increasing her crush on Bambi.

References

• The Encyclopedia Of Walt Disney's Animated Characters by John Grant.