Dec 22, 2009

The Wind in the Willows | Introduction

The Wind in the Willows was published near the turn of the century—1908 in England and 1909 in America. It was based on stories that Kenneth Grahame, the author, told to his son Alastair, starting on Alastair’s fourth birthday. The principle characters of these stories are talking animals who live in and around a river, though to the animals, it is “the River” (author’s emphasis). At the time of the work’s publication, Grahame had already published four books of fiction. He was most well known for his collections of stories The Golden Age and its sequel Dream Days. Though the works were written about children, they were not written for children. The Wind in the Willows was not initially well received because it deviated from his previous works; however, it eventually became the work that he is most famous for, enjoyed by children and adults alike.

The principle characters in the novel, though they all have their faults, are idealized in many ways. Several virtues are epitomized in Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad, so much so that they become themes. There are numerous examples of hospitality, forgiveness, compassion, generosity, and humility. Even the arrogant Toad is able to humble himself and put aside his conceited ways in the end, having matured though a succession of trying circumstances with the guidance and help of loyal friends.

The Wind in the Willows Summary

Chapter 1: The River Bank
The Wind in the Willows begins with Mole who is spring-cleaning his house when he finds that “something up above was calling him imperiously.” Giving in to curiosity, he quickly digs his way to the world above. Everything is new to him. He has not even seen a river before. The first person he makes an acquaintance with is Water Rat, who invites Mole on a boat ride and an impromptu picnic. Rat explains much to Mole about aspects of the world above ground and the River Bank community. After the picnic, they head back upstream towards Rat’s hole in the bank of the river. Mole ends up almost tipping the boat when he excitedly grabs the sculls (or oars) from Rat, which Rat readily forgives.

Chapter 2: The Open Road
Mole and Rat pay a visit to Mr. Toad. Toad is happy to have the company and pleased to meet Mr. Mole, and he convinces them to join him in a cart and horse trip, which is his latest craze. Their first two days on the road are fairly uneventful. On the third day, they come to their first high road, where they are nearly run down by an automobile moving at high speed. The cart is wrecked from veering off the road. Toad is taken by a new craze— automobiles—and becomes useless as Mole and Rat deal with the situation. They walk to the nearest town where they catch a train that takes them home.

Chapter 3: The Wild Wood
Mole decides to journey alone to the Wild Wood so he can meet Mr. Badger when he is unable to convince Rat to take him. At first, Mole is not alarmed upon entering the Wild Wood, but he quickly becomes lost and frightened. He ends up hiding in the hollow of a tree. When Rat becomes aware of Mole’s absence, he sets out after him. He finds Mole and allows him to rest awhile before heading home. A sudden snowstorm hits in the meantime, making it difficult for them to find their way, and they become lost. Luckily they stumble upon the home of Mr. Badger.

Chapter 4: Mr. Badger
Mr. Badger promptly takes in the lost travelers. He feeds them, gives them dry clothes, and allows them to warm themselves by his fire. Rat fills in Mr. Badger on Toad’s automobile craze, and they decide that once the winter has passed, they will “take Toad seriously in hand.” Otter also arrives at Mr. Badger’s. He explains how the River Bank community has been worried about Rat and Mole being gone. Mole and Badger get more acquainted while they tour the many passages of his home. Badger eventually takes his visitors to the edge of the Wild Wood in one of his extensive passages so that they can get home without further incident.

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