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Illustrated portrait of Bunny

A character in The Charioteer

Bunny

Ralph's jealous former partner or flatmate, whose deception forces the central relationships into crisis.

The book

Cover of The Charioteer by Mary Renault
The CharioteerMary Renault, 1953

A wounded soldier must choose between different kinds of love in a world where neither can be public.

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Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

Bunny presents social charm sharpened by resentment. He fears losing his place with Ralph and directs that jealousy toward Laurie and Andrew.

His deception destroys the possibility that the relationships can remain safely ambiguous.

How the book draws them

Appearance, manner, and tone — as the book sketches them, in our words.

  • DressFashionable civilian clothes support his carefully composed appearance.
  • ExpressionHis smile can shift from charming to mocking.
  • Social skillHe knows how to exploit coded assumptions.
  • FunctionJealousy makes him the catalyst of the final crisis.
What Bunny doesHow the book leaves them, what happened after, and what the record says. Open when you're ready.

He cruelly exposes Laurie to Andrew while implicating Ralph. His deception is uncovered and cannot prevent Laurie and Ralph's reconciliation.

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