

The clear implication during the climax that Bambi is reliving the trauma of his mother's death, right down to the trapped Mena repeating her final words.It's easy to overlook because of her bit role in the film, but it's very likely she's not taking the loss of her Childhood Friend much better than Bambi or his father. Speaking of Mena, take a close look at her during her introductory scene she looks visibly saddened.To make matters worse, Ronno appears and openly mocks his situation.Whenever her back is turned he is slumped down utterly heartbroken, whenever he is in Mena's sight however, he puts on a brave front or forces a gentlemanly smile. Look at Bambi's acting throughout his brief time under Mena's care.He tries to explain this to Bambi when he finds out Mena's purpose, but he is too hurt to listen and leaves upset, convincing the devastated Great Prince he has screwed things up with his son and to go back to plan after all. Throughout the scene, the Great Prince is trying usher away Bambi, having changed his mind and wanting to call off the arrangement.The Great Prince remains still, but his despondent expression says it all. As he prepares to leave with Mena later, however, he turns back and nuzzles his father one last time. After being told to leave with surrogate mother Mena, a heartbroken Bambi argues with his father for seemingly rejecting him and just when their relationship was getting stronger, telling him he wishes his mother was here instead of him.And some time later, after Bambi is saved by his father from being mauled by Man's dogs and from being shot, this brief exchange takes place after they return to the den:.The particular piece of music that accompanies this scene is simply called "Bambi's Dream", but it features the melody from "Love is a Song." And just in case that wasn't sad enough, it also contains a few notes that sound for all the world like " Whispering Winds." What makes it even more tragic is the ambiguity of whether it really is her coming back to see him one last time or it it really is just a despair induced dream. Bambi's dream where he sees his mother, runs up to nuzzle her, and is reassured that she'll always be with him - only to wake up and realize that he was nuzzling a rock.One must wonder if he was going to say "Mother".



Shortly after meeting Ronno, Bambi's friends are all picked up by their mothers.And then the scene proceeds to show the Great Prince leading Bambi to his den, the latter just quietly looking up at the stag before entering and falling asleep. As it starts right after Bambi's mother's death and Bambi calling out to her, unaware of her fate, then he's found by the Great Prince and is told by him that she "can't be with anymore".
