Big Fish

Big Fish

by

Daniel Wallace

Dr. Bennett Character Analysis

Dr. Bennett is the Bloom family’s longstanding doctor, who has nursed Edward through his cancer. Dr. Bennett has become more like a friend to the family after tending to their medical needs for so long. Dr. Bennett is extremely old, and he is heartbroken when he has to break the news to William and Sandra that Edward is approaching death. Edward is such a larger-than-life person that it even seems to come as a shock to Dr. Bennett—a man of science—that Edward isn’t going to live forever.
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Dr. Bennett Character Timeline in Big Fish

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Bennett appears in Big Fish. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1: My Father’s Death: Take 1
Truth, Myth, and Immortality Theme Icon
Love, Flaws, and Acceptance Theme Icon
William says “it happens like this.” Dr. Bennett , the old, wrinkling, sagging doctor, comes out the guest room and says there’s nothing... (full context)
Part 2: My Father’s Death: Take 2
Ambition, Courage, and Personal Fulfilment Theme Icon
Love, Flaws, and Acceptance Theme Icon
William says “it happens like this.” Dr. Bennett , the “older than old” family doctor comes out the guest room and says there’s... (full context)
Part 2: My Father’s Death: Take 3
Love, Flaws, and Acceptance Theme Icon
The Redemptive Power of Laughter Theme Icon
William says “it happens like this.” The ancient Dr. Bennett comes out of the guest room and bursts into violent sobs, admitting helplessly that things... (full context)
Truth, Myth, and Immortality Theme Icon
Love, Flaws, and Acceptance Theme Icon
The Redemptive Power of Laughter Theme Icon
...withered by lesions and scaly skin. He’s become “something else altogether.” William wonders what bothered Dr. Bennett so much, and Edward confides in William that it’s probably his jokes, as he “proudly”... (full context)
Part 3: My Father’s Death: Take 4
Truth, Myth, and Immortality Theme Icon
Love, Flaws, and Acceptance Theme Icon
...to the doctors, but William just holds Edward’s hand and waits. The doctors, spearheaded by Dr. Bennett , are distinguished specialists who say fancy things. Edward lies in a coma. Dr. Bennett,... (full context)