Dolores and Bruno’s relationship has been the subject of much speculation and debate among Encanto fans. Some key questions around what Dolores knew about Bruno living in the walls of the Encanto and when she knew it remain unanswered. Let’s closely examine the evidence from the film to try to determine what Dolores likely knew about Bruno’s whereabouts.
What are Dolores’s abilities?
First, it’s important to establish what unique powers Dolores possesses that could allow her to be aware of Bruno’s presence. As is established early on in Encanto, Dolores has supernatural hearing abilities. She is able to hear things from vast distances away, including private conversations among family members throughout the Encanto.
Some of Dolores’s feats of hearing include:
- Hearing her sister Isabela complaining about her even when Isabela is far away in another part of the Encanto
- Hearing Bruno’s rats in the walls even though no one else can
- Hearing Abuela Alma yelling at Mirabel from another room in the house
So Dolores has demonstrated on multiple occasions that she can hear minute sounds and distant conversations occurring within the walls of the Encanto due to her magical gift. This makes it quite possible she was able to hear Bruno as he lived in hiding within the walls, tunnels, and hidden rooms of the Casita.
Did Dolores know Bruno was living in the walls?
The first hint that Dolores may have known Bruno was living in the walls comes early in the film. When Mirabel is given a tour of the Encanto, she is introduced to Dolores and her supernatural hearing abilities. Dolores remarks, “I hear Bruno’s rats in the walls.”
She says this rather casually, implying she is accustomed to hearing these sounds. It seems unlikely she would attribute rats in the walls to Bruno so nonchalantly unless she knew Bruno was actually present within the walls.
Dolores also does not act surprised when Bruno later appears – she behaves as if she expected he was there all along. She does not ask where he came from or why he is there after 10 years away.
Furthermore, we know Bruno regularly watched family events using his vision. He makes remarks about knowing details about what each family member was doing over the years he was supposedly “gone.” It seems very plausible that Dolores could have listened in on Bruno’s movements and mutterings just as he spied on the rest of the family.
So in summary – Dolores:
- Knew about Bruno’s rats in the walls
- Did not act surprised by Bruno’s return
- Easily could have overheard Bruno through the walls over the years
For these reasons, it seems very likely that Dolores was aware Bruno was living in the walls of the Encanto house the whole time.
When did Dolores realize Bruno was there?
It’s harder to pinpoint exactly when Dolores first became aware of Bruno’s presence. She possibly realized he never left based on hearing rats and other sounds she attributed to him. Or she may have overheard him muttering prophecies and moving through the walls at some point after his disappearance.
Some key events that may have led Dolores to become aware of Bruno:
- Bruno’s disappearance – Dolores may have realized she could still hear sounds of Bruno in the house after he “vanished.”
- Mirabel’s ceremony – Hearing Bruno talk of knowing Mirabel didn’t get a gift may have tipped her off.
- Isabela’s ceremony – Bruno remarks he was there and saw Isabela crack under pressure.
Based on these events, it seems most likely that Dolores realized Bruno was still living in the Encanto House sometime shortly after his disappearance. She probably kept this realization secret to protect Bruno and honor the family’s insistence he was gone. But deep down, her powers allowed her to know the truth of Bruno’s presence the whole time.
Why did Dolores pretend not to know Bruno was there?
This is also up for interpretation based on the clues we’re given. Several possibilities exist:
- Protect Bruno – Dolores kept his secret to allow him to hide safely in the walls.
- Avoid conflict – Speaking up could have caused strife so she hid the truth.
- Denial – Easier for her to pretend he was gone like everyone else insisted.
Dolores seems to value harmony and tradition within the family, hence her hiding Bruno’s presence. She does not seem surprised to see him later, implying she knew he was there all along.
Clues Dolores knew about Bruno
Here are some of the biggest clues suggesting Dolores likely knew Bruno never left the Encanto:
| Clue | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Hears Bruno’s rats in walls | Casually remarks on hearing sounds tied to Bruno inside walls early in film |
| Hears all in Encanto | Her power allows her to hear everything within the house walls |
| No surprise at return | Does not act shocked to see Bruno after 10 years |
| Kept it secret | Never revealed she knew to keep peace and protect Bruno |
Evidence against Dolores knowing
There are a few clues that she may not have known Bruno was living in the walls:
- Never mentioned Bruno was still there to other family
- May have chalked up noises to ordinary rats, winds, creaks
- Powers not 100% precise to pinpoint Bruno in huge Encanto
Overall though, these points do not seem as strong as the wealth of evidence suggesting Dolores likely did know Bruno’s secret all along.
Conclusion
Given Dolores’s hinted awareness of Bruno’s rats, her unfazed reaction to his return, and her formidable hearing powers, the probable scenario is that Dolores was aware Bruno was living in the walls of the Encanto house the entire time.
She seemigly chose to keep his secret rather than expose it to the rest of the family, though the motives behind that choice remain ambiguous. Dolores shows no shock over Bruno’s reemergence, bolstering the case that she knew about his presence due to her keen hearing abilities. Though an intriguing mystery, it seems Bruno’s hiding spot was likely an open secret to Dolores.
In summary, while not conclusively proven, a careful examination of the evidence strongly suggests Dolores was aware of Bruno’s presence in the Encanto walls, even as the rest of the family insisted he had vanished. Her powers allowed her to perceive the truth, even if she elected not to reveal it.
If Pixar ever chose to revisit these characters and clarify lingering questions, it would be fascinating to receive final confirmation on whether observant, perceptive Dolores secretly knew the family’s black sheep, Bruno, never really left the Encanto after all.
Additional Questions
Here are some additional questions about what Dolores knew about Bruno, with speculative answers:
Did Dolores hear Bruno’s prophecies?
Most likely – it’s possible his muttered prophecies were within range of Dolores’ hearing as he wandered the walls and tunnels.
Did she interact with Bruno in hiding?
Unclear – they may have had furtive interactions, but the film does not show this occurring.
Why not expose Bruno’s presence?
Likely to avoid conflict and protect Bruno’s desire to stay hidden from the family.
Did she help keep him hidden?
Possibly in small ways, but again no proof within the film events.
Could she always pinpoint his location?
Unlikely – her powers seem extremely keen but probably not enough to track his every movement through the vast Encanto.
Final Word
While some uncertainty remains, Dolores seemingly possessed the ability to secretly perceive Bruno’s presence from the time he vanished. This would explain her lack of surprise when he finally chose to return to the family fold once more. Though she kept his secret, it was likely an open truth to Dolores.