Finally! Sorry about the ridiculously long delay. Hope everyone hasn’t completely forgotten where we are in this book.
The time has come to say goodbye to our little friends and I think Grahame ends his story pitch-perfectly. The friends have a quick victory and regain Toad Hall, sending the Weasels and Stoats back to the Wild Wood humbled and trounced.
The real theme of this chapter is how Toad is forced to grow up a bit. But this is done perfectly in line with his character. He realizes he can keep people’s attention more if he is quiet and mysterious instead of boastful and loud. (By the way, I’ve discovered this to be true myself.) So his motives are a still a bit selfish but he also is doing it for his friends. That’s really the nice part of this chapter is that Toad finally gives out for his friends who have spent the entire book giving out to him. You can see that Toad finally understands that he has put Badger, Mole, and Rat trough a lot of trouble. Not that he doesn’t lay on the guilt while submitting to their wishes.
`You have conquered, my friends,’ he said in broken accents. `It was, to be sure, but a small thing that I asked– merely leave to blossom and expand for yet one more evening, to let myself go and hear the tumultuous applause that always seems to me–somehow–to bring out my best qualities. However, you are right, I know, and I am wrong. Hence forth I will be a very different Toad. My friends, you shall never have occasion to blush for me again. But, O dear, O dear, this is a hard world!’
And the story ends on the note of friendship winning out even in the most selfish of hearts. It’s not that Toad has suddenly seen the error of his ways (he’s still the same Toad inside) but he’s forcing himself to not shame his friends. A perfect way to close.
So now that we’re done, what did everyone this of this chapter and the entire book? If you didn’t like it (*cough*, *cough*, Sydney) you can post too.
Thanks to everyone who stuck through the entire book. (Did anyone?) I’m going to put together a book party in January and everyone is welcome. Even if you didn’t read the entire book. I’ll be giving out awards and I think we’ll make some traditional English dishes.
~It is sad , even though Toad was an idiot to do what he did they really bash him .
~I wish we could have heard more of the song about Toad . It sounded like it would have been pretty funny !
~I serously thought that the weasels and ferrets would have beat them , but I am glad it didn’t turn out how I predicted !
~Wow , I never thought of Mole to be bossy and mean even to people that troubled him .
~I am surprised Toad gave the invitations to a weasel , I thought that they would have planned some sort of way to get Toad Hall back .
~I thought that Toad’s friends were being a wee bit mean , not even letting him sing one little song because I really did LOVE Toad’s song , to be honest , if I could have I would have put it on my iPod .
~Wow , at the end of the book Toad really changed … I’m speechless !
Levi , I LOVED the book ! Thank you so much for keeping this book club going !
Oh, Levi, it broke, just broke my heart to read this chapter. Like the author, I’ve come to “love these people” so and didn’t want to say good-bye. No kidding, on the last paragraph I comforted myself, (riciculously) with the thought that they’ll be in heaven! That’s how real the characters are.
OK, Badger and his grumpy, subtle, English wit really shines in this chapter. I love his caustic remarks to Toad. He’s had it with him and does not let up until he’s sure his annoying friend has truly repented.
“When all was quite ready, the Badger took a dark lantern in one paw, grasped his great stick with the other, and said, “Now then, follow me! Mole first ‘cos I’m very pleased with him; Rat next; Toad last.”
“….said the Badger, his mouth full of chicken and trifle. Now there’s just one more thing I want you to do, Mole. I know I can trust you to see a thing done, and I wish I could say the same of everyone I know…
Oooooh, such burns! And lastly, one more cut in speaking to poor Toad:
“Don’t pretend to be stupider than you really are,” replied the Badger crossly, “and don’t chuckle and sputter in your coffee while you’re talking; it’s not manners.”
Toad is pretty funny, as always. I love when he’s pouting about having to write his invitations:
“What!” cried Toad, dismayed. “Me stop indoors and write a lot of rotten letters on a jolly morning like this when I want to go around my property, and set everything and everybody to rights and swagger about and enjoy myself…”
It cracks me up, how he says “swagger”.
Levi, I hadn’t really thought about Toad’s reasons for finally changing, but you’re right, it was for his friends. Really good point. You’re also right about being boastful and loud; It doesn’t win affection of friends. I have such a hard time learning this lesson, and really am a Toad at heart.
OK, the last paragraph was so beautiful and touching. I love the idea of the friends walking together and having these huge reputations. I almost cried reading what they said about Badger because it reminds me so much of Dad. Don’t you think that could be his obituary? (sorry, I’m always fixated on Dad dying for some reason. Ha! Watch me go first.)
Jacque, your insights are so cool and I agree with them, especially the surprise of how easily they won back Toad Hall. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you love the book.
Great idea about the luncheon, Levi. Let me know when you decide to have it and I’ll start thinking about an English dish to make.
I’m a horrid flake and didn’t stick with it to the end. I’m sorry. I’m pretty sure I would have finished if it hadn’t been for approximately five hundred birthdays in addition to the holidays…too much to do.
So , Levi , what are these ideas about the luncheon ? I would really like to get in on this . (i dont mean to sound rude ! )
Speaking for all the Book Club members, we forgive you, Serena.
Serena, all is forgiven. You’re welcome to join us for the party.
I’m thinking end of January for the party. How does that sound?
Yeah , depending on the date that would work for me !
Sounds good, Honey. Maybe we could meet the EA member at the park on your lunch break? (Perhaps her naughty children could come as well.)