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What is The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame?
“The Wind in the Willows,” authored by the British writer Kenneth Grahame, is a revered classic in the realm of children’s literature. Originally published in 1908, it has since garnered widespread affection from readers. Set in the picturesque English countryside, the narrative unfolds around the escapades of a group of anthropomorphic animal characters.
This literary work abounds with whimsical and imaginative tales that possess the remarkable ability to transport readers into a world brimming with wonder and adventure, reminiscent of a child’s world. Engaging with these narratives offers adults like us the opportunity to rekindle their inner child, thereby rediscovering a profound sense of joy, curiosity, and imagination.
Every one of us harbors an inner child, and it is incumbent upon us to periodically nurture and reestablish a connection with this aspect of our being.
Main character list
| Mole | Mole(モグラ) is a mild-mannered and shy character who becomes tired of his dull, underground life and decides to explore the world above ground. |
| Rat | Rat, short for Water Rat, is Mole’s best friend. He is a water-loving character who enjoys boating and is more adventurous than Mole. |
| Toad | Toad, or Mr. Toad of Toad Hall, is a wealthy but reckless and flamboyant character who is known for his obsession with motorcars and his reckless driving. |
| Badger | Badger is an elderly and wise character who is highly respected by the other animals. He plays a fatherly role and is known for his wisdom and sense of responsibility. |
Chapter 1: The River Bank
Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing
Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him
This part of the sentence conveys that the season of spring is in motion, and it’s not just limited to the air or the earth but is enveloping everything around the character.
Spring is usually associated with a sense of renewal, growth, and the arrival of warmer weather.
divine discontent
Divine discontent is a phrase used to describe a sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, often with the implication that this discontent is moti Table of Contents generated with DocToc
- What is The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame?
- Chapter 1: The River Bank
- What is animal-etiquette?
- Words and Phrases
- References
vated by a desire for positive change or improvement.
It was small wonder, then, that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said, “Bother!” and “O blow!” and also “Hang spring-cleaning!” and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat.
It was small wonder
This phrase suggests that what follows is not surprising or unexpected given the circumstances.
and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat
The character then quickly left the house in a hurry, without taking the time to put on a coat. This indicates that their frustration with spring cleaning was so great that they needed to escape the situation immediately.
The sunshine struck hot on his fur, soft breezes caressed his heated brow, and after the seclusion of the cellarage he had lived in so long the carol of happy birds fell on his dulled hearing almost like a shout.
soft breezes caressed his heated brow
The character also feels gentle, warm breezes against their face. The use of the word “caressed” suggests a comforting and soothing sensation.
the carol of happy birds fell on his dulled hearing almost like a shout
As the character emerges from the cellar, they hear the joyful singing of birds. This sound is so vivid and cheerful that it almost seems like a loud and exuberant shout to their ears.
He[The elderly rabbit at the gap] was bowled over in an instant by the impatient and contemptuous Mole, who trotted along the side of the hedge chaffing the other rabbits as they peeped hurriedly from their holes to see what the row was about.
He was bowled over in an instant by the impatient and contemptuous Mole
“bowl sb over” means to surprise or impress sb a lot. The elderly rabbit at the gap was taken by surprise or startled, and the cause of this surprise is the Mole.
“contemptuous” means feeling or showing that you have no respect for sth/sb.
“the impatient and contemptuous Mole” means that he is not willing to wait and does not care what the rabbit said
chaffing the other rabbits as they peeped hurriedly from their holes to see what the row was about
The Mole is interacting with other rabbits who were cautiously emerging from their burrows (holes) to observe what was happening. The term “chaffing” suggests that the Mole is perhaps playfully teasing or joking with these rabbits, possibly in a lighthearted or cheeky manner.
It all seemed too good to be true. Hither and thither through the meadows he rambled busily, along the hedgerows, across the copses, finding everywhere birds building, flowers budding, leaves thrusting ——everything happy, and progressive, and occupied.
It all seemed too good to be true
This suggests that the Mole is finding their current experience so wonderful that it almost feels like it’s too perfect or unbelievable.
Hither and thither through the meadows he rambled busily
The Mole is moving around energetically and with a sense of purpose, exploring meadows and their surroundings.
“Hither and thither” means in various directions, especially in a disorganized way. For example,
- the entire household ran hither and thither
- people began rushing hither and thither
And instead of having an uneasy conscience pricking him and whispering “whitewash!” he somehow could only feel how jolly it was to be the only idle dog among all these busy citizens. After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.
instead of having an uneasy conscience pricking him
This implies that the character no longer feels guilty or conflicted about something.
The phrase “your conscience pricks you” means to make you feel guilty about sth. For example,
- Her conscience pricks you as she lied to her sister
After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.
This passage concludes by suggesting that, during a holiday or leisure time, the true joy may not necessarily be in resting oneself but in witnessing the industry and activity of others.
He[The Mole] thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river.
Never in his life had he seen a river before —this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again
when, as he meandered aimlessly along
This part sets the scene. The person was walking or moving around in a relaxed and wandering manner, without a specific destination or purpose. They were simply strolling or moving without a clear direction.
this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal
Here, the river is metaphorically described as an “animal” to emphasize its dynamic and living nature. It’s compared to an animal that is sleek, sinuous (gracefully winding or curving), and full-bodied (robust and full of life).
Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolute nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
Believe me, my young friend
The speaker is addressing a young person and attempting to convey the importance of what they are about to say. This introduction suggests that the speaker is about to share some wisdom or personal insight.
there is nothing—absolute nothing—half so much worth doing
The speaker is emphasizing that, in their opinion, there is nothing else that comes close to being as valuable or enjoyable as the activity they are about to describe. The use of “absolute nothing” underscores the idea that this activity is unparalleled.
Green turf sloped down to either edge, brown snaky tree-roots gleamed below the surface of the quiet water, while ahead of them the silvery shoulder and foamy tumble of a weir, arm-in-arm with a restless dripping mill-wheel, that held up in its turn a grey-gabled mill-house, filled the air with a soothing murmur of sound, dull and smothery, yet with little clear voices speaking up cheerfully out of it at intervals.
Green turf sloped down to either edge
The scene is set with green grass or turf gently sloping toward the water on both sides. This creates a smooth transition between land and water.
ahead of them the silvery shoulder and foamy tumble of a weir
In the distance, there is a weir, which is a low dam or barrier built across a river to control the flow of water. The weir is described as having a “silvery shoulder” and “foamy tumble,” indicating that the water cascades over it in a picturesque manner.
“Greedy beggars!” he[The Otter] observed, making for the provender. “Why didn’t you invite me, Ratty?”
“Greedy beggars!”
This exclamation is used to playfully chide or tease someone for their behavior. It suggests that the speaker is surprised or amused by what they see or hear, but it’s not meant to be taken seriously.
“making for the provender”:
The character is moving towards or reaching for the food or provisions. This suggests that the character is interested in joining in and partaking in the eating.
This was an impromptu affair
The phrase “This was an impromptu affair” suggests that the event or situation being referred to was spontaneous, unplanned, and not prearranged. It indicates that the affair or activity took place without prior notice or preparation. It was likely organized or happened on the spur of the moment, without a formal or structured arrangement. Impromptu affairs are often characterized by their informality and lack of prior thought or organization.
Once, it was nothing but sailing,” said the Rat. “Then he tired of that and took to punting. Nothing would please him but to punt all day and every day, and a nice mess he made of it. Last year it was houseboating, and we all had to go and stay with him in his houseboat, and pretend we liked it. He was going to spend the rest of his life in a houseboat. It’s all the same, whatever he takes up; he gets tired of it, and starts on something fresh.
Once, it was nothing but sailing
The sentence starts by indicating that at one point, the Toad was solely interested in sailing. This was their primary hobby or passion.
It’s all the same, whatever he takes up; he gets tired of it, and starts on something fresh
This sentence summarizes the Toad’s pattern of behavior. He tends to become deeply interested in a new hobby or activity, pursue it intensively, and then eventually grow tired of it. This leads him to move on to something entirely different.
What is animal-etiquette?
“Animal-etiquette” refers to the understood or accepted social rules and customs among animals in the story’s world. The use of “animal-etiquette” suggests that animals in this context have a code of conduct or behavior that they follow.
The Mole knew well that it is quite against animal-etiquette to dwell on possible trouble ahead, or even to allude to it; so he dropped the subject.
The sentence conveys that the Mole is aware of this etiquette or set of unwritten rules. According to this animal-etiquette, it is considered impolite or inappropriate to focus on or discuss potential problems or troubles that may lie ahead. It is implied that animals in this world prefer not to dwell on negative possibilities and instead maintain a more positive and optimistic outlook.
The Mole recollected that animal-etiquette forbade any sort of comment on the sudden disappearance of one’s friends at any moment, for any reason or no reason whatever.
The sentence specifies that according to this animal-etiquette, it is considered impolite or socially inappropriate to make any kind of comment or remark about the sudden disappearance of one’s friends, regardless of when, why, or under what circumstances they disappear.
This suggests that acknowledging or discussing the unexplained absence of a friend is discouraged, and perhaps even seen as a breach of etiquette.
The Mole is aware of these rules and follows them by not making any comment about the disappearance of friends, even if it may seem strange or sudden.
Words and Phrases
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| broom | a brush on the end of a long handle |
| aching back | discomfort or pain in the lower, upper, or mid-back region |
| weary | very tired, especially after you have been working hard |
| fling | to throw sth somewhere with force, especially because you are angry |
| meadow | a field covered in grass |
| caress | to touch sth/sb gently |
| chukle | to laugh quietly |
Def: seclusion
the state of being privcate or of having little contact with other people
Usage examples are followings:
- the seclusion and peace of the island
- He spends much of his time in seclusion in the mountains
Def: As is always the case
The expression “as is always the case” is typically used to indicate that a particular outcome or situation is consistent with what usually happens or is expected. It suggests that the current situation or result is in line with a pattern or a common occurrence.
For example, if someone were to say, “The traffic is terrible, as is always the case on Fridays,” they are expressing that heavy traffic on Fridays is a recurring and expected occurrence.
This expression is often used to emphasize the predictability or regularity of a situation or outcome based on past experiences or patterns.
Def: row (noun)
row means a serious disagreement between peopole, organization, etc. about something
The usage example is as follows:
- A row has broken out over education
- She left him after a blazing row
- He had a row with his son
Def: dull (verb)
verb dull means to become or be made weaker or less sever.
The usage example is as follows:
- the edge of their hunger was somewhat dulled
- The tablets they gave him dulled the pain for a while
- His eyes dulled and he slumped to the ground
Def: streak (noun)
streak means a long thin mark or line that is different colour from the surface it is on
- I am looking at a streak of bubbles that I see travelling along the surface of the water
- There was a streak of blood on his face
- streaks of grey in her hair
References
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