Bunker Bean

In Short

Bunker Bean is a satirical comedy about the power of belief and the absurdity of social pretension. A downtrodden New York clerk discovers a sense of self-worth by adopting the identity of a past-life monarch, Ram-tah. Through his newfound, albeit eccentric, courage, he navigates a world of demanding employers, manipulative relatives, and a spirited young woman he calls "the flapper." Its enduring appeal lies in its sharp, humorous observation of the universal desire to be someone significant and the strange lengths people go to in order to feel powerful.

The Story

Bunker Bean lives a life defined by crushing insignificance. A clerical worker for the gruff, high-handed Mr. Breede, he is constantly bullied by his peers and haunted by his own lack of stature and a name he detests. His only refuge is his vivid, private imagination, where he exists as a hero—a man of "well-over six feet" who understands the nuances of life and women.

His transformation begins when he encounters the theory of reincarnation. Convinced by the suggestion of a medium and his own frantic desire for greatness, Bean adopts the identity of Ram-tah, a pre-dynastic king. Armed with the "memory" of past-life power, he begins to project a newfound, cold authority. He stops taking abuse from his coworkers, manages his finances with sudden shrewdness, and begins to treat his employer, Breede, with a dismissive arrogance that shocks the older man into a state of bewildered respect.

This new persona is tested by his complicated feelings for a young woman he calls "the flapper." She is as unconventional and headstrong as he is timid, and their courtship is a tangle of misunderstandings, "psychic" theories, and genuine affection. Meanwhile, Bean’s life is further complicated by his beloved dog, Napoleon, and a growing, antagonistic relationship with his intrusive, meddlesome relatives who are constantly trying to "tag" along on his success.

As Bean gains wealth and status, he realizes that his "royal" identity is not just a fantasy but a psychological engine that allows him to stop fearing the world. He eventually marries the flapper, despite the protestations of their families. The story reaches its climax when the meddling relatives, attempting to sabotage his happiness, find themselves completely outmaneuvered by the couple. Bean, now wealthy and decisive, asserts his independence, effectively exiling his parasitic family from his life. He discovers that he does not need to be a reincarnated king to be "somebody"—he simply needs to be his own man. The book concludes with Bean and his wife starting a new life, free from the expectations of others, while the frustrated and confused relatives are left behind, unable to understand the change in the man they once pushed around.

How It Unfolds

The desire for difference Bunker Bean feels cursed by his stature and his name, daydreaming of being a heroic figure named Gordon Dane. He struggles with his daily drudgery and the persistent bullying of his office colleagues.

The discovery of power After dabbling in spiritualism and reincarnation, Bean becomes convinced he is the reincarnation of Ram-tah, an ancient king. This belief provides him with an armor of cold, untouchable confidence that alters his behavior at the office.

Rising to the occasion Bean begins to treat his overbearing boss, Breede, with a new, icy indifference that leaves the older man rattled. He asserts himself in his financial affairs and his personal life, gaining a degree of autonomy he never thought possible.

The complications of love Bean meets the "flapper," a woman as spirited as he is reserved, leading to a courtship defined by awkwardness and deep affection. Her presence complicates his life further as he balances his professional success with his growing domestic life.

The confrontation with the past Bean’s intrusive relatives attempt to interfere with his marriage and his money. The conflict forces Bean to stop hiding behind his "kingly" persona and directly confront his family’s meddling.

The final assertion Bean and the flapper successfully dismiss their relatives and start a new, independent life together. Bean realizes that while his "king" fantasy helped him begin, he has become a truly confident man on his own terms.

The People

Bunker Bean starts as a pathologically timid clerk defined by his lack of agency. Through his "Ram-tah" persona, he gains the courage to stop apologizing for his existence, ultimately evolving into a man who commands respect and directs his own affairs.

Mr. Breede is Bean's employer, a man of aggressive, blustering power who is used to crushing those below him. He is consistently baffled and eventually cowed by Bean’s shift from submissive clerk to coolly confident equal.

The Flapper is Bean's love interest, a modern, spirited, and somewhat volatile young woman. She is the first person to truly see past Bean’s masks, acting as a catalyst for his growth and ultimately becoming his partner in standing up to his meddlesome family.

The Relatives represent the stifling, parasitic forces of Bean's past. They are defined by their greed and their refusal to respect boundaries, ultimately serving as the final obstacles Bean must overcome to secure his independence.

In Its Own Voice

"Bunker Bean was wishing he could be different."

This opening sentence captures the central, aching dissatisfaction that drives the protagonist to transform his entire existence.

"The Lords of Destiny had found him indeed untractable as the great Emperor, the world-figure, and, for his proudness of spirit, had decreed that he should affrightedly tread the earth again as Bunker Bean."

Bean uses this elaborate, pseudo-mystical logic to justify his sudden sense of entitlement and his belief in his own hidden greatness.

What It's Really About

The book is a sharp meditation on the nature of identity and the "as-if" principle: the idea that acting as though one is powerful, confident, or significant can eventually make those qualities a reality. It explores the tension between the self we present to the world and the secret self we harbor in our thoughts. Beneath the humor, it asks whether our labels—our names, our jobs, our family backgrounds—actually define us, or if we are merely the sum of the stories we tell ourselves. By mocking the pomposity of the wealthy and the absurdity of spiritual fads, it argues for the necessity of self-determination in a world that thrives on pigeonholing individuals.

Why Read It Today

Bunker Bean is a delight for those who enjoy character-driven humor and classic, sharp-witted satire. If you have ever felt like an imposter or dreamed of rewriting your own history, you will find a kindred spirit in Bean. The reading experience is light and brisk, though modern readers should be prepared for the idiosyncratic, early-20th-century slang and the distinct "flapper" dialect, which adds period flavor but occasionally requires a moment to parse.

The book is refreshingly free of modern moralizing, focusing instead on the honest, often messy process of a man finding his backbone. While some of the period attitudes toward women and social classes reflect the author's era, the core of the story—the struggle to escape one's own limitations—is remarkably timeless. You will likely walk away from this book reflecting on how many "Ram-tahs" the average person keeps locked away in their closet, and how much freer we might be if we allowed ourselves to step out of the roles others have assigned to us. It is a warm, funny, and surprisingly insightful look at the audacity required to simply be yourself.