Importance of Home in the Wind in the Willows

Willowsthithers No Place Like Home An compend of Two Characters Journeys in The Wind in the Willows As discussed in this course, classic childrens literature ofttimes involves some assortment of journey for a character, in which they temporarily take sign, only to discover a self-truth and a unexampled appreciation for that which they often took for granted. Kenneth Grahames The Wind in the Willows is no exception. The two animals that or so notably go through a transformation as a result of leaving denture are mole and batrachian. While their reasoning and experiences along the way differ, they both prove changed characters, and for the better. The Wind in the Willows begins with a busy Mole, caught in his spring-cleaning daze, and within the first paragraph he has decided to leave the work behind as something up above was c tout ensembleing him imperiously (Classics of Childrens Literature, pg. 637). Moles headquarters is underground, and as soon as he breaks the surface, the nature around him is described as real positive with words equal sunlight, warm, caress, and happy (pg. 637). He takes in his environs and is pleased to be the only idle dog among completely the busy citizens (pg. 637).He quickly comes across the river, something that hes never seen before, and makes friends with buy at, a loyal and happy member of the River Bank. The experience on a boat is grand, and thieve doesnt have to say much to convince Mole that venturing out was the best motif Absorbed in the new life he Mole was entering upon, intoxicated with the sparkle, the ripple, the scents and the sounds and the sunlight, he trailed a hired man in the water and dreamed long waking dreams (pg. 639). Rat goes on to teach Mole all the needful animal etiquettes, different things well-nigh the inhabitants of the Wild Wood, and how to do river tasks, give care rowing.Even though he fails in first attempts to fit in, Moles spirits are easily lifted by the comfort of his fri ends. Mole waistband with Rat through the summer and continues learning and growing as a character. The pair goes to visit another(prenominal) friend, Toad, who is all too eager to travel and go on a journey with his horse wasted carriage. The night before they are supposed to leave, Mole says that hell do whatever Rat indispensabilitys, only asks, Shall we run away to-morrow morning, quite early-very early- and go foul to our deal venerable hole on the river? (pg. 647). Here, he mentions home for the first time, and seems to miss it.However, Rat declines, which suggests that Mole has not learned all he necessarily to and is not ready to return. The journey with Toad comes to a quick end, and Mole and Rat go back to the river. However, Mole does something out of character when he decides to set out on his own to meet Badger, an alpha personage (pg. 650). Against Rats previous warnings, Mole goes into the Wild Wood and h experienced outs afraid of noises and unfamiliar sigh ts. Rat quickly comes to his rescue and says that til now Toad wouldnt show his face here alone, which suggests that Mole has become braver.After meeting Badger, Mole and Rat decide to return back to the river and Mole is very excited, eagerly anticipating the result when he would be at home again among the things he knew and liked (pg. 663). When they begin their journey back, Mole feels summoned like an electric shock and he realizes where he is. Now, with a rush of old memories, how clearly it stood up before himthe home had been happy with him, too, evidently and was missing him, and wanted him back (pg. 665). Mole wants to see his old home, tho at first Rat doesnt think its a good bringing close together and convinces Mole to move on. Emotion overcomes Mole, and he sobs.At this point, home is everything to him, and he finally does deserve to go back. Rat realizes that the trip back is very important to his friend, and they turn back to find Moles old dwelling place. They fi nd it and begin making a fire, welcome in some friends, and eventually limit down to dinner. It is a splendid time, and Mole, upon going to bed, realizes how much it all meant to him, and the special value of some such(prenominal) anchorage in ones existencehowever he did not at all want to abandon the new life and its splendid spacesit called to him still, even down in that location, and he knew must return to the larger stage (pg. 671).It is in this moment that Mole appreciates his home, scarce realizes that he has changed for the better, and is ready to go back up and out to see what great, new experiences await him. Toad is not so easily moved by his home/away/home journey. Before he is introduced officially in the story, Rat says that Toad is ever good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you go, and goes on to add perhaps hes not very cleverit may be that he is both big and conceited (pg. 644-645). There are many instances when Toad is a bit too proud, wh ether it be talking about his household or his heroic deeds at the end of the story.The fact that Toad is wealthy seems to go along with him being obsessed with the latest craze, as he can afford to indulge in them. However, because of his boastful attitude and unawareness of consequences, it seems fitting that when he becomes infatuated with cars and driving, he never really succeeds at get the hang it. Toad is more than happy to leave his fine estate for the open road (pg. 646). Travel and the like excite him, and it seems that he takes his home very much for granted at this point. Later on in the story, his friends, in hopes that he might be cured of his poop-poop daze, hold him under house arrest.This sheds a interdict light on his home, making it a prison from which he escapes. Toads version of freedom is finding a new car, dressing the part and driving like a maniac. He even steals several cars (stooping to a new low) and crashes them. Toads freedom, his escape, is reckles s and irresponsible and therefore it is essential that he come to a resolution to change. When Toad is finally placed in jail, he begins to reflect on his mistakes, calling himself a stupid animal (pg. 684). He even thinks about Toad Hall and his friends and there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel the cure was almost complete (pg. 85).Not quite. Toad lucks out quite a few times, and several people take pity on him-the gaolers daughter, the engine driver, the driving couple-even though he doesnt really deserve it. Grahame uses these people to propel the reader that Toad isnt all-bad, hes just going through some kind of crisis. He even says that its when hes at Toad Hall with his friends that hes at his best (pg. 686). It is also interesting that as soon as Toad starts to think about how clever and amazing his actions are, karma finds him and he is once again running away from a pursuit.He is much like a child, throwing tantrums and being stubborn. When Toad ends up in th e woods, he is finally finding his way back, mite free in the wilderness. After being rescued from the river by Rat, Toad is excited to reveal all his adventures and cleverness. He even pledges to lead a quiet, steady, respectable lifejust as he used to in the good old days, before he got restless (pg. 710). This proud moment is put on hold when he learns that Toad Hall has been seized. Suddenly, when he realizes his home is in danger, a fire is lit inside Toad, and he is ready to fight for it.Toad seems to have come to a breaking point, and the fact that he has to win his home back makes the change in him more obvious. Although Toad, after the battle, still wants praise and to give speeches and sing songs (on his behalf), there is finally a complete turn around. Toad has a few blend conceited moments, but it is only between him and his home. He sings to a room with empty chairs, which shows just how important the home was to his transformation. It was the last thing that would se e him in his old ways, and the thing in which he would build a new life and character.At earlier instances, the reader may not be convinced of Toads change, but Grahame assures us saying, He was indeed an altered Toad (pg. 724). Both of these animal characters in The Wind in the Willows have human qualities of wanting something more, something new to spark interest and passion. Grahame, through Mole and Toad, has shown the benefits of leaving home at some point so that it might be better appreciated upon return. Change is necessary to both these characters, and results in them both being much happier and satisfied with their lives.