Ah, Toad. What can you say? He is something else.
This is a humbling chapter for Toad and also one that reveals how hard it is to truly humble him.
Notice how he jumps right in to boasting as soon as the Rat hauls him out of the river. (” Such trials, such sufferings, and all so nobly borne!”) He is so excited that he forgets he’s dressed like a washerwoman. He is completely remorseless for all the trouble he caused–in fact it has only bolstered his pride. But Grahme knows just like the rest of us that Toad needs to learn a lesson. Over the next few chapters Toad finally grows up as much as Toad can grow up–and in true Toad form, of course.
This is how Toad acts while Rat lectures him:
So although, while the Rat was talking so seriously, he kept saying to himself mutinously, `But it was fun, though! Awful fun!’ and making strange suppressed noises inside him, k-i-ck-ck-ck, and poop-p-p, and other sounds resembling stifled snorts, or the opening of soda-water bottles…
(This reminds me of how Jack and Lily sometimes act when I’m lecturing them.) He obviously thinks this is just another situation that he will escape. But then Rat lands the crippling blow by revealing that Toad Hall is lost.
Toad leaned his elbows on the table, and his chin on his paws; and a large tear welled up in each of his eyes, overflowed and splashed on the table, plop! plop!
Toad would be completely lost without his friends and, here again, they come to his rescue. They haven’t missed a moment and they have sacrificed and toiled to re-secure Toad’s mansion. They didn’t even give up on him when he was in jail. Of course, Toad completely misses how wonderful they are:
Here the unfeeling Toad broke into a snigger, and then pulled himself together and tried to look particularly solemn.
It seems that only the Badger has the power to bring Toad to (temporary) repentance:
`Toad!’ he said severely. `You bad, troublesome little animal! Aren’t you ashamed of youself? What do you think your father, my old friend, would have said if he had been here tonight, and had known of all your goings on?’
Toad, who was on the sofa by this time, with his legs up, rolled over on his face, shaken by sobs of contrition.
So the chapter finishes the heros back together, preparing to storm the castle. There’s so many gems in this chapter that it would be foolish to try and mention them all. What were some of your favorites parts?
I love this chapter because it fill in so many gaps and offers wonderful details on the chemistry of these dear friends and hints at the reason for their steadfast loyalty.
It comes out that Toad had a noble father that Badger loved and admired. This indicates that Badger is probably quite a bit older than Toad, putting him in a “guardian” role, but he feels he owes something to the senior and deceased amphibian.
Toad and Badger and the contrast of their personalities shine so humorously and poigniantly in the way they all interact through this entire chapter. It almost breaks my heart that I feel like I’m really getting to know and understand them right as the book draws to a close.
Highlights of Toad, for me, were:
“I’m an ungrateful beast, I know,” sobbed Toad, shedding bitter tears….
Hold on a bit! Surely I heard the chink of dishes on a tray! Supper’s here at last, hooray! Come on, Ratty!”
“Toad sat up slowly and dried his eyes. Secrets had an immense attraction for him, because he never could keep one and he enjoyed the sort of unhallowed thrill he experienced when he went and told another animal, afer having faithfully promised not to.”
“Well, well,” he said; “perhaps I am a bit of a talker. A popular fellow such as I am- my friends get round me- we chaff, we sparkle, we tell witty stories- and somehow my tongue gets wagging…”
The descriptions of Badger coming in, and eating while everyone waited silently hint at the great respect they all have for him. I love this animal.
And don’t you love how Grahame writes he was looking rough and tousled, but then, he’d “never been a very smart man”. Oh, it just makes me want to meet him!
There is so much more, I could go on, but I don’t want to be a good-part hog.
Yeah, Badger is definitely the Bampa of the group. He reminds me of Dad more and more. How he’s full of common sense. Especially that moment when everyone is talking at once and he finally tells them to all be quiet.
I also love the part where Toad tells the story in what he would have said/done at the time if he had only thought of it then. I’ve often wished that I could go back and relive certain moments after I’ve had time to reflect on them.
I almost finished the chapter and this morning I went to look for it and of course it is gone … again . I have a problem with misplacing Wind in the Willows !
Poor Jacque, I hope it turns up for you.
It DID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are we gonna do the last post on monday again? I finally found my book and I am holding on to it ! Have we set a date for the End of the Book Party ? Suggestion : we should watch Wind in the Willows the movie and like Sydney said earlier in the book it would be fun to eat some food that they mention in the book ! So lets talk about our part-ay !
Woops sorry , that was me Jacque , with all those great suggestions !
Hey , I just thought about something . I know that the Holidays are busy but (just a suggestion) we could read a short Christmas book and post 2 times a week . I know it is alot of work for you,Levi , so you decide and get back to me ! I like sounding official with ” Get back to me ” !
I like your suggestions, Jacque. I’ll keep those in mind. We’ll definitely have a get-together after the holidays.
Oh good, I’m glad that was Jacque with all the fun suggestions, because I was gonna be mad at Sydney thinking she could pop in at the last chapter and act like she had been part of the group.
I think one of the best visuale was Toady on the couch with his legs over his face the second Badger starts repremanding him. It reminds me of how I feel when Dad seriously is dissapoineted with me! Bompa is Badger, how he sleeps at the table, dad always does that. It’s like he trys to find weird positions to nap in. WHy does he always nap on the loveseat when he is like 6 feet tall?
Uh-oh, it’s Monday and I forgot to read my chapter. I shall do so today.
It was funny, last night as I got in bed, I told Dad, “You should get on Levi’s blog. Everyone agrees you’re Badger.” He goes, “Who are you? “Poodle”?” Such a brat.
Thats funny ! So , Levi are we posting Friday ? Our last chapter !!! I am pumped !