Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl (1970)

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl, first published in 1970, is a beloved children’s novel crafted with Dahl’s signature wit and darkly whimsical charm. Set in the English countryside, the story follows the clever and daring Mr Fox as he outwits three vile farmers – Boggis, Bunce, and Bean – who are determined to kill him for stealing their poultry. As part of Dahl’s widely cherished body of work, this tale stands out for its blend of mischief, loyalty, and clever survivalism.

Plot Summary

Down in the valley lived three farmers, each fouler than the next – Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Boggis was enormously fat, feeding himself on three boiled chickens a day. Bunce, a pot-bellied dwarf, dined only on doughnuts stuffed with goose-liver paste. And Bean, thin as a pencil and clever as a snake, drank gallons of strong cider instead of eating at all. Though different in size and diet, they shared a single trait – they were mean beyond measure. Their common enemy was Mr Fox, a sleek and cunning creature who crept into their farms by night, stealing chickens, ducks, and turkeys to feed his family. His success maddened them.

Mr Fox lived with his wife and four small foxes in a hole under a great tree on a hill. Every evening, he would ask Mrs Fox what she fancied for dinner – a chicken from Boggis, perhaps, or a duck from Bunce. Then off he would go, silent and swift, sniffing the wind, always one step ahead of danger. But the farmers were tired of being outsmarted. They hatched a plan. The next evening, they took their guns and waited by the fox’s hole. When Mr Fox poked his nose out, sniffing the air with his usual caution, he spotted the glint of a gun barrel just in time. He leapt back into the tunnel as the woods exploded with gunfire. All the foxes survived, but Mr Fox’s beautiful tail did not.

Furious at their failure, the farmers resolved to dig him out. With shovels in hand, they clawed into the hill. Down below, Mr Fox nursed his wounded tail while the sound of scraping metal drew closer. He leapt into action. A fox, he declared, can dig faster than any man. And dig he did, along with Mrs Fox and their children. Deeper and deeper they tunneled, escaping the reach of the spades.

Above ground, the farmers weren’t done. They brought out monstrous machines – black caterpillar tractors with massive mechanical shovels. The hill trembled as the machines tore into it. Trees toppled and rocks flew. But the foxes dug faster still, earth flying from their paws as the roaring engines chased them underground. The battle between machine and mammal raged on, a desperate race for survival.

Soon, the hill was no more than a crater. The farmers, crazed with fury, camped out beside the hole, determined to starve Mr Fox out. Tents were pitched, rifles were kept ready, and food was sent for. They took turns watching the hole day and night, taunting the starving foxes below with the scent of roasted meat.

Down in the darkness, hunger gnawed at the fox family. The children whimpered. Mrs Fox grew weaker. For three days and nights they endured, until Mr Fox, silent for hours, stirred. He had a plan – but it required more digging. Though weak, the children were eager to help. Inspired by their courage, Mr Fox began to dig once more, this time in a very specific direction. He dared not say where they were going, lest hopes be raised too high. Tunnel after tunnel, they dug, and finally, he tapped against wood.

They had arrived beneath Boggis’s Chicken House Number One.

With utmost care, Mr Fox crept up through the floorboards into a vast shed filled with thousands of plump chickens. He chose three fat hens, killed them quickly, and sent one of his children racing back to Mrs Fox to begin a feast. But he wasn’t done yet. There was more to be done, and more bellies to fill.

Mr Fox, with the remaining children, dug toward another prize. Soon, they encountered Badger, digging his own escape route. He was overjoyed to find Mr Fox. The whole woodland community – Badger, Mole, Rabbit, Weasel – was trapped and starving. Mr Fox invited them all to share his feast and asked for their help. With Badger’s strong paws aiding the cause, they reached a second treasure trove – Bunce’s mighty storehouse.

Rows upon rows of ducks and geese filled the room. Smoked hams dangled from the ceiling, and bacon lined the walls. Mr Fox, ever clever, insisted they take only the choicest morsels, and only just enough, to avoid detection. The food was loaded onto push-carts, and sent down the tunnel toward the growing feast. The foxes moved swiftly and neatly, leaving no trace.

One final destination remained. They tunneled again, Mr Fox grinning with anticipation. Badger, uneasy, raised a concern – was all this stealing really right? Mr Fox looked him straight in the eye. The farmers were trying to murder them. This wasn’t greed – it was survival.

Eventually, their digging struck a wall. Mr Fox removed a brick, revealing a damp cellar lined with jars. It was Bean’s secret cider cellar. The fiery brew was potent and delicious. They filled their arms with cider jars, but not before a rat – the cellar’s sneaky guardian – tried to drive them away. They ignored his protests. Trouble nearly found them when a housemaid came down to fetch some cider for Bean. But she didn’t spot them behind the jars, and the moment she left, they fled with their bounty.

With their loot secured, Mr Fox, Badger, and the Smallest Fox sprinted home. The tunnel echoed with their joyous songs as they returned to find a grand dining hall carved from the earth. Nearly thirty animals sat around a great table. The feast had already begun – chickens, ducks, hams, and bacon piled high. Mrs Fox had revived with joy. The cider flowed. Laughter rang out.

Badger raised a toast to Mr Fox, the hero of the hour. Mrs Fox shyly declared her husband a truly fantastic fox. Mr Fox, full of food and pride, made a promise. No longer would they risk the surface. They would build an underground village, safe from bullets and machines. Tunnels would lead to endless food. There would be no more fear – only friendship, feasting, and freedom.

Above, in the muddy crater, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean sat wet and miserable, still watching the empty hole, waiting for a fox who would never return.

Main Characters

• Mr Fox – Charismatic, cunning, and brave, Mr Fox is the heart of the story. A loving husband and father, he risks everything to feed his family. His wit and resilience shine brightest when he turns a deadly manhunt into a triumph of ingenuity and defiance. He evolves from a clever thief into a selfless leader who ensures the survival of not just his own family, but a whole community of animals.
• Mrs Fox – Gentle and supportive, Mrs Fox is a steadfast presence throughout the ordeal. Though she suffers from hunger and fear, she remains hopeful and wise. Her admiration for her husband and dedication to their children underscore the warmth at the story’s core.
• The Small Foxes – The four fox cubs are spirited, loyal, and increasingly courageous. They mirror their father’s cleverness and determination, growing in strength and confidence as the story progresses. Their enthusiasm and willingness to help reflect the strong family bond.
• Badger – A voice of caution and practicality, Badger represents moral integrity. Though initially skeptical of stealing, he comes to understand the necessity of Mr Fox’s actions. His friendship and digging skills make him a vital ally.
• Boggis, Bunce, and Bean – These three grotesque farmers embody greed, cruelty, and obsession. Each is exaggeratedly villainous: Boggis is gluttonous, Bunce is foul-tempered, and Bean is sinisterly clever. Their relentless pursuit of Mr Fox creates the central conflict and brings both humor and tension to the tale.

Theme

Resourcefulness and Survival: At its heart, the story is about survival through intelligence and adaptability. Mr Fox’s quick thinking and determination turn dire circumstances into an opportunity for community survival. This theme celebrates cleverness over brute strength.

Family and Community: The fox family’s unity and love are central to the story. Mr Fox’s actions are driven by his devotion to his family, and as the plot unfolds, the theme extends to a wider animal community. The underground feast at the end symbolizes a newfound communal harmony.

Justice and Rebellion: Dahl cleverly blurs moral lines, positioning Mr Fox – a thief – as the hero against corrupt oppressors. The farmers, though technically the victims of theft, are so malevolent that their downfall feels just. The animals’ uprising is a playful rebellion against tyranny.

Greed and Obsession: The farmers’ excessive greed and obsession with catching Mr Fox highlight their villainy. Their irrational determination leads to their own ruin, satirizing the self-destructive nature of unchecked obsession and avarice.

Writing Style and Tone

Roald Dahl’s writing style in Fantastic Mr Fox is brisk, imaginative, and sharply humorous. His language is rich with rhythm and rhyme, especially in the jingles and repetitive refrains that punctuate the narrative. He employs vivid similes and caricature-like descriptions to etch out larger-than-life characters, particularly the grotesque farmers. Dialogue is crisp and snappy, often infused with clever wordplay and sardonic wit. Dahl’s narrative voice is confident and conspiratorial, drawing readers into the mischief with a twinkle in the eye.

The tone of the book is both playful and subversive. There is an undercurrent of menace – starvation, violence, and entrapment loom large – yet Dahl keeps the tone light through his irreverent humor and the triumphant cleverness of the protagonist. This balance between tension and laughter is a hallmark of his storytelling. The book is empowering for young readers, casting animals as heroes and human authority figures as ridiculous or villainous, and it carries a delightful sense of mischief throughout.