I think last week left everyone scratching their heads. If it did, this week should be a little more straightforward.
What can you say about Toad? Here’s just three thing I loved:
- Toad’s instant remorse after being thrown in jail.
- Every time I read the description of the buttered toast it makes me crave buttered toast.
hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb.
Drool.
- Toad thinking that the jailer’s daughter is attracted to him and her liking him because she’s fond of pets (but she’s classy enough not to tell Toad).
That’s all. I won’t take all the good parts.
One final note: Grahame is hilarious. This chapter is packed with humor. And it’s a good kind of humor, not just cheap setups and punchlines. You can tell that, no matter how ridiculous Grahame thinks Toad is, he always likes him. The story is always on Toad’s side, even though he does some bad stuff. While Grahame pokes fun at Toad, the fun is always affectionate, never mean-spirited. Unfortunately most of the humor popular today is of the exact opposite ilk. But Grahame’s is the best kind of humor. Remember this quote:
I love these little people, be kind to them.
What did you think?
Sorry guys , I have torn apart our house looking for the book . I can’t seem to find it … ANYWHERE ! I dont know how much more searching I can do ! I’ll keep trying !
Jacque, how could you?
:-0
OK, in the first paragraph of the chapter, where Toad is repenting with all his heart, he speaks of himself in the third person:
“the popular and handsome Toad, the rich and hospitable Toad!”
The way he loves to talk about himself cracks me up. But, Levi, as you say, Grahame never goes too far, making him only conceited; He leaves that bit of humanity that we might love him, too. As he says, kindly describing the poor frog,
“Honest Toad was always ready to admit himself in the wrong.”
Again, the separate, yet intertwined worlds of animal and human is alluded to, and the conversations and relationships are completely natural. It almost reminds me of an unfallen creation, the way it might’ve been between the two, had sin not corrupted the chemistry. English authors are so great with this concept.
I know, the food sounds great. I want to taste “bubble and squeak”.
Jacque! Poor baby, get to the library quickly!
Good insights, Mom. C.S. Lewis talked about how animals were supposed to be our playmates and jesters but the fall broke that relationship.
And what is “Bubble and Squeak”? It doesn’t look as good as Grahame described it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_and_squeak
Jackie,
We have an extra copy. Call me if you still need it and I can try and get it to you.
I love the description of Toad Hall. Wouldn’t you love to visit? I cracks me up how Toad is considering that him and the maid have some kind of relationship. I’ll write more later.