Buddy

Set in the 1930s United States, the era blends opulent private wealth with the era’s broader social currents. Wealth and social status shape how the family treats their animals and navigates public attention. The Chicago World’s Fair moment anchors the story in a real historical context of spectacle.

The story centers on the Lintz family’s grand estate, a lavish home that houses a growing menagerie. The action shifts to Philadelphia and Chicago, showing the contrast between private life and public spectacle. The mansion’s grounds become a stage for family dynamics, animal care, and ambitious social events.

💖 Love & Control

Trudy’s boundless affection for her animals drives her to treat Buddy as her own child. This love blurs boundaries between family life and captivity, creating dependence and tension. As Buddy grows, attempts to manage him reveal the limits of sheltering a wild being.

🎪 Public Spectacle

The household’s life becomes a public attraction as the animals draw crowds and attention. The Chicago World’s Fair moment exposes both wonder and fear, testing the private sanctuary’s resilience under scrutiny. Public admiration clashes with concerns for welfare and safety.

🩹 Trauma & Sanctuary

Buddy’s traumatic experiences, including his disorienting fair visit, trigger flashbacks and fear. The family’s attempts to keep harmony reveal emotional damage and practical challenges of raising a wild creature. The ending shift to an ape sanctuary suggests a path toward healing away from a human-centered home.