Are Bud's pants on fire? Sheesh, you'd think Bud might try to hide the fact that he has to lie on a daily basis just to survive, but no. He's proud of his Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself. To Bud, lying is an art. He has discovered that in order to protect himself and keep out of trouble, he must know how to lie and do it well and quickly. What does it mean that Bud has to lie all the time in order to survive? It's a tough world in Bud, Not Buddy. Wouldn't it be better if life were a little easier for Bud, so that lying wouldn't be necessary?
Questions About Lies and Deceit
- Is lying ever okay for Bud to do? If yes, then when? If not, why?
- Why does Bud value deceit? Is he right?
- In what ways does deceit come in handy for Bud? How about for other characters?
Chew on This
Bud considers lying a necessary evil, but only when he does it. He likes it when others are honest with him, because then he feels he can trust them.
Bud, Not Buddy is really a book about how helpless or outcast people fend for themselves, relying on deceit as a major tool.