The Wind in the Willows Group

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terrilcollins
terrilcollins

What are the symbols in "The Wind in the Willows?"

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Posted by terrilcollins on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 4:09 PM and tagged with symbolism, the wind in the willows.

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  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    "Wind In The Willows," is a children's novel written during the late nineteenth century.  The novel is also Graham's way of writing a satire about the class structure of that era in England.  The river was symbolic of the freedom of the river animals.  Toad, Rat, Mole and Badger were the "upper-class" and could spend their days in recreation, eating, and enjoying the good life. The wild woods were symbolic of the lower class living areas of the poorer sections of London.  The stoats and the weasels are representative of the lower, working class.  When they take over Toad Mansion, they are demonstrating their disdain for the upper class and what that upper class means.  The Toad, eventual escapes prison and goes to the dark wood.  He enlists the help of his friends and chases the stoats and weasels back to where they belong.  The upper-class in England had many luxuries that the working class did not have. The working conditions during this time were terrible, and the class system controlled the lives of the communities.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/wind-willows/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/wind-willows/plot-summary
    http://www.enotes.com/wind-willows/themes

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Thursday November 20, 2008 at 5:34 PM