Well, we’re back after that brief break.
Toad is just an amazing character. The fact that he is still likable after this chapter is a testament to how well Grahame writes him. Just to review:
- He steals a horse.
- He lies constantly.
- He is amazingly conceited.
- He wrecks the car that he previously stole.
And yet, somehow, he is totally lovable. I don’t exactly know why. I think maybe it’s because he is so heart-on-his sleeve. It’s hard to hate someone who is so comically driven by passion.
In my opinion, this chapter has Toad at his best. There’s something about the washerwoman disguise that emboldens him. His lies become so hilariously elaborate:
`I dare say it is, ma’am!’ responded Toad politely, as he walked along the tow-path abreast of her. `I dare it is a nice morning to them that’s not in sore trouble, like what I am. Here’s my married daughter, she sends off to me post-haste to come to her at once; so off I comes, not knowing what may be happening or going to happen, but fearing the worst, as you will understand, ma’am, if you’re a mother, too. And I’ve left my business to look after itself — I’m in the washing and laundering line, you must know, ma’am — and I’ve left my young children to look after themselves, and a more mischievous and troublesome set of young imps doesn’t exist, ma’am; and I’ve lost all my money, and lost my way, and as for what may be happening to my married daughter, why, I don’t like to think of it, ma’am!’
This one always cracks me up:
`O, I have girls,’ said Toad lightly: `twenty girls or thereabouts, always at work. But you know what girls are, ma’am! Nasty little hussies, that’s what I call ‘em!’
The scene where unfortunate motor car picks up washerwoman Toad is about as funny as literature can get. Even the poor drivers are taken in by Toad’s disguise. (“O dear! this is very sad! Here is a poor old thing — a washerwoman apparently — who has fainted in the road! Perhaps she is overcome by the heat, poor creature; or possibly she has not had any food to-day. Let us lift her into the car and take her to the nearest village, where doubtless she has friends.”) And Toad’s internal dialogue as he gives into temptation…
`It is fate!’ he said to himself. `Why strive? why struggle?’
This and the next chapters are some of my favorites. What did you all think of this chapter?
I’m back , sorry I haven’t been on in a while it feels good to be posting again!
I suppose no one notices that the ‘washer woman’ is green tiny and looks nothing like a human ? I do love Toad’s imagination ,though. His dream cracks me up . Who really dreams like that?
I like the wording in this sentence “And a very good bussiness you’ve got too , I dare say , if I’m not making to free in saying so ! ”
Toad , Toad , Toad . He gets himself into some pretty interesting situations ! I LOVE Toad .But , I am somewhat glad he got caught by the barge woman .
Was Toad just acting really stupid when he had to calculate out how much a ’shillin’ a leg ‘ is , or was he serious ? You can never tell with Ol’ Toad . He is such a con-artist.
One question I have , I can’t really understand how Toad could pin down a grown man , while driving , or how he could pass for a washer woman unless he is the size of a person !
I really apprectiate the fact that they just say ‘ Poop’ instead of cussing !
It cracks me up at the end of the chapter how Toad is boasting himsalf one moment , saying how incredible he is , and the next he is livid at himself . I loved this chapter and the ending was GREAT!
Levi, don’t forget to add to the list of his transgressions:
5. He sells stolen goods
I agree with you, this is high-English-humour (must be spelled the proper way,) at it’s best. It reminds me of Monty Python or the English Office or something, his character is so pathetic and real, the little things he says as he prattles on. I, too, love the reference to his workers being “hussies”, that is rich. Then, when he turns on the poor Barge-woman in such an immature way, “You common, low, fat barge-woman!” (It reminds me of Uncle Steve saying, “Well, you’re an ugly Frankenstein-dude!”) And don’t you love his conversation with the Gypsy? In describing the horse, “I’m too fond of him, and he simply dotes on me.”
Later, when he’s recounting the glories of his genius, “…I am, unfortunately, thrown into a canal by a woman, fat of body and very evil-minded. What of it? I swim ashore, I seize her horse, I ride off in triumph…” And finally, when he sees the car coming, “…I will hail them, my brothers of the wheel,”
The whole chapter is such a picture of the way his mind works; the greediness, lusts, stupidity, spoiledness, phoniness, “(he) listned with affected humility to the instructions given him…” and that little insecurity that makes him loveable:
“…it may even end in my driving up to Toad Hall in a motorcar! That will be one in the eye for Badger!”
This chapter makes me wish so much I could meet Mr. Grahame. I think he knew someone just like Toad and loved him very much. I’ll bet he had a wonderful way of seeing people.
Great comments, Jacque. I know, it does seem funny they don’t see he’s a little toad, dressed up. The scene where the barge-woman realizes who he is sounds so realistic:
“The woman moved nearer to him and peered under his bonnet keenly and closely. “Why , so you are!” she cried. “Well, I never! A horrid, nasty, crawly Toad”
Strange, she had to look really keenly to see this.
Exactly , I’m glad someone else sees what I see ! Tia Shelly , you pointed out some great things there . I , too , loved the conversation with the gypsy . Great points . Now , are we going to get anyone else posting?
Jaque: When Toad needs to figure out ‘a shilling a leg’ I don’t think he’s kidding. Toad isn’t the brightest fellow.
Mom: Yep, the conversation with the Gypsy is hilarious too.
The language in this chapter is so great. “I will hail them, my brothers of the wheel.” It’s got this dramatic tone to it that only makes the scenes funnier. I like how the people in the motor car talk too: “Oh Dear, this is very sad…”.
I bet Grahame was a cool person too. If he could make someone like Toad lovable, he probably was pretty good at seeing the lovable side in all people.
Good veiw of Grahame . I bet he does know someone similar to Toad . I mean how else do characters get started ? Often we will pull from differtent people we know ! Right? I mean Levi your the writer so correct me if I am wrong!
I think Grahme was way ahead of his time. His humor is still hilarious! I bet he had a really dry sense of humor. Anyways, I really like how in such a short amount of time we get to know his chracters so well. I mean I love Tolkien and all, but its intersting to just compare writing styles, Grahame, with just a few words describes little things about a charcter so that you feel you really know the person, in what it takes Tolkien hunderds and hundreds of words to say. (dont mind me terrible run on sentence) Grahame really has a wonderfull writing style.
I think my favorourite ( english spelling?) part was when toad lands himself in the motor can and sneakliy makes his way into the drivers seat. His though processes crack me up!
I know Ros.
That is one of my favorite lines, ever.