At the Back of the North Wind · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald.
Chapter 1
The Hayloft
Little Diamond, a boy who sleeps in a hayloft above the stable, discovers a hole in the wall behind his bed through which the North Wind speaks to him. After a playful argument about the hole being a window, Diamond agrees to open it and converses with the North Wind, who introduces herself and invites him to come with her. Diamond learns that beauty can be deceptive but resolves to trust her, and he follows her out of the hayloft.
Chapter 2
II: The Lawn
Diamond, after meeting North Wind in the hayloft, descends into the stable to visit his horse, then goes out to the yard expecting to find North Wind waiting. She is gone, and he feels lonely and disappointed. He wanders onto the lawn in his nightgown, where he is found by the old nurse Mrs. Crump, who assumes he is sleepwalking. She brings him into the drawing-room, where Miss Coleman, with her long hair, briefly reminds Diamond of North Wind. After being given a sponge-cake, Mrs. Crump takes him home to his mother, who puts him to bed.
Chapter 3
Old Diamond
Diamond wakes early, climbs onto the horse Old Diamond, and is discovered by his mother. He later goes on another adventure with North Wind, who appears as a young girl, and they travel together through the night.
Chapter 4
IV: North Wind
Diamond rides with North Wind as she sweeps the sky, but when he sees a lonely little girl struggling in the wind, he asks to help her. North Wind sets him down, and Diamond runs after the girl, eventually catching her. They take shelter in a barrel under an arch, and Diamond tells her about North Wind. The girl is skeptical, but they wander until a gust blows Diamond into the back door of his master's garden. Diamond invites her in for breakfast, but she declines, saying she must go to her crossing.
Chapter 5
V: The Summerhouse
Diamond keeps his adventures with North Wind to himself, unsure if others would believe him. His father takes him to ride the horse Diamond to the blacksmith, and Diamond learns to guide the horse by first yielding to its movements. He gives a penny to the crossing-sweeper girl, who suspects North Wind is his father's horse. Later, Diamond spends time with Miss Coleman in the garden and, in a summerhouse, encounters North Wind in a tiny form helping a bumblebee escape a tulip. North Wind playfully chides Diamond for not recognizing her and briefly appears as a miniature figure on a river wall, waking a poet in a boat. That night, a thunderstorm terrifies Diamond, but he finds comfort in North Wind's presence.
Chapter 6
VI: Out in the Storm
North Wind lifts Diamond from his bed and carries him into the heart of a violent storm. Diamond is initially frightened by the wind and thunder, but finds comfort in North Wind's embrace. They discuss the nature of her actions, including her intention to sink a ship, leading Diamond to trust in her inherent goodness despite appearances.
Chapter 7
VII: The Cathedral
North Wind leaves Diamond alone in a cathedral to teach him courage. After initial terror, a gentle wind from North Wind emboldens him to walk along a narrow gallery. She explains that she bears the cries of drowning ships because she hears a far-off song that promises all will be well. Diamond learns that trying to be brave is itself bravery, and he waits alone in the dark church, finding his usual nursery rhymes inadequate in the solemn space.
Chapter 8
VIII: The East Window
Diamond wakes from a strange dream in which he imagines the Apostles in the cathedral window speaking about him and criticizing North Wind. He defends her, then wakes to find the summerhouse crushed by a fallen elm tree after a night of strong wind. He meets a clergyman who speaks of the Hyperborean regions, and Diamond resolves to ask North Wind to take him there.
Chapter 9
IX: How Diamond Got to the Back of the North Wind
Diamond travels with North Wind through icy realms, witnessing her faint and dissolve into light. He continues alone on an iceberg, eventually reaching a frozen land where he finds North Wind waiting on a doorstep. She instructs him to walk through her to reach the country at her back. Diamond obeys, enduring intense cold and whiteness until he faints and falls, thus entering the back of the north wind. The chapter then shifts to Diamond's home life, where his parents discuss his health and decide to send him to visit his aunt in Sandwich. Diamond explores the sleepy old town, befriends a toothless old woman who runs a toyshop, and one afternoon hears a whirring sound among the toys.
Chapter 10
X: At the Back of the North Wind
Diamond recounts his experience at the back of the North Wind, a mysterious country where he felt still, quiet, and content. He describes a land without wind, with a river that sings tunes in people's heads, and where people communicate without speech. The chapter compares Diamond's account with those of the Italian poet Durante and the peasant girl Kilmeny, both of whom reported similar otherworldly experiences.
Chapter 11
XI: How Diamond Got Home Again
Diamond, longing to return home after being at the back of the North Wind, discovers he can observe his loved ones from a special tree. He finds North Wind still sitting on her doorstep, and after a brief reunion, she transforms into various animals to lead him south. Finally, she takes him in her arms and they fly homeward.
Chapter 12
XII: Who Met Diamond at Sandwich
Diamond recovers from his illness while his family faces upheaval after Mr. Coleman's financial ruin. North Wind's actions lead to the loss of Mr. Coleman's ship and the destruction of the family's home, forcing them to move to a small house in Hoxton. Diamond's mother takes him to the seashore to explain the changes, and he recalls his journey with North Wind.
Chapter 13
XIII: The Seaside
Diamond and his mother visit the seaside, where she expresses her anxiety about their financial struggles after Mr. Coleman lost his money and Diamond's father has no work. Diamond responds with innocent, philosophical observations about trust and provision, and later recites a poem he associates with the back of the north wind, worrying his mother that his fever is returning. They return home with his uncle.
Chapter 14
Old Diamond
Diamond's father, having saved some money and finding no suitable situation, decides to set up as a cabman. He visits a friend who shows him a horse for sale, which turns out to be his beloved old horse Diamond, now thin and bony. Overcome with emotion, he buys back the horse along with a four-wheeled cab, and takes rooms over the stable, writing for his wife to come home.
Chapter 15
XV: The Mews
Diamond and his family move to a new home in the mews, a stark contrast to their previous idyllic surroundings. Despite the dreary environment and his parents' distress, Diamond's cheerful and resilient spirit, shaped by his experiences at the back of the north wind, helps lift the family's mood.
Chapter 16
Diamond Makes a Beginning
Diamond wakes refreshed from a deep sleep, feeling hopeful and determined to help his mother. He takes care of the baby and the household chores, earning his mother's praise. Later, he asks to drive the cab with his father, but his mother calls him back. Mr. Stonecrop, the stable owner, overhears and invites Diamond to drive his cab that evening, marking the start of Diamond's new role.
Chapter 17
Diamond Goes On
Diamond continues to grow up in the mews, becoming a favorite among the cabmen. He learns to drive horses skillfully, helps a girl being bullied, and is recognized by Mrs. and Miss Coleman. His gentle nature and wisdom earn him respect, and he proves himself capable and kind.
Chapter 18
The Drunken Cabman
Diamond wakes to the sounds of a drunken cabman abusing his wife and baby. He goes to their room, comforts the baby, and sings and talks to him, speaking gently about the father's drinking. His presence softens the cabman's heart, leading to a moment of remorse and a temporary reform.
Chapter 19
XIX: Diamond’s Friends
Diamond reflects on the nature of friendship with his father, arguing that anyone can be a friend if you choose to be theirs. He meets a gentleman while talking to the crossing-sweeper girl, who gives him a card promising a reward when he learns to read. Diamond gives his penny to the girl and learns about her difficult home life with her grandmother and her friend cripple Jim.
Chapter 20
Diamond Learns to Read
Diamond's father decides it is time for Diamond to learn to read, using the book of rhymes his mother found on the seashore. Diamond learns quickly and eventually reads through the entire book, finding a poem titled 'Little Boy Blue' that captivates him, though it differs from the one he remembered his mother reading.
Chapter 21
Little Boy Blue
In this poetic chapter, Little Boy Blue wanders through a magical wood, commanding creatures, elements, and natural phenomena to follow him. He gathers a vast procession of animals, birds, insects, and even the wind and shadows, but when they all surround him, he becomes overwhelmed and unsure what to do with them. Birdie Brown challenges him to give them purpose, and Little Boy Blue finally wishes to return to his mother. The creatures then guide him home, and he asserts himself by striking a snake that blocks his path.
Chapter 22
Sal’s Nanny
Diamond, worried about the crossing girl Nanny, goes to her home in a dangerous slum, finds her ill and alone, and seeks help from Mr. Raymond. With the policeman's protection and Mr. Raymond's aid, Nanny is taken to the Children's Hospital.
Chapter 23
Mr. Raymond’s Riddle
Mr. Raymond takes Diamond home and helps him understand a poem from the book North Wind gave him. Diamond explains that he makes songs with his baby brother. Mr. Raymond gives Diamond a sixpence, which Diamond intends to save for shoes. Mr. Raymond then presents a riddle from his own book for Diamond to solve.
Chapter 24
XXIII: The Early Bird
Diamond's father falls ill with a fever, forcing Diamond to care for the baby while his mother nurses his father. As their savings dwindle, Diamond's mother weeps in his room, and Diamond comforts her by reciting a poem about a mother bird who worries about finding food, while her chick wakes early and catches a worm. Diamond resolves to find a way to help his family.
Chapter 25
Another Early Bird
Diamond successfully drives the cab for a full day, earning money to help his family while his father is ill. He faces challenges from other cabmen and a policeman but proves his competence. He solves a riddle with the help of a kind gentleman and returns home to his relieved mother, singing to baby.
Chapter 26
The True Story of the Cat and the Fiddle
This chapter presents a whimsical, extended narrative poem that reimagines the nursery rhyme 'Hey Diddle Diddle,' detailing the adventures of the cat, fiddle, cow, dog, dish, spoon, and the man in the moon, with a playful and chaotic turn of events.
Chapter 27
XXV: Diamond's Dream
Diamond, overjoyed by his family's improved fortunes, chatters happily about nonsense and angels before falling asleep. He dreams of a fantastical landscape of roses and stars, where he encounters angelic beings who dig up stars, share them, and sometimes disappear through star-holes. Diamond learns about the care of stars and the mysterious 'girl-angels' who tend them, but he falls asleep before seeing them.
Chapter 28
Diamond Takes a Fare the Wrong Way Right
Diamond continues his work as a cabman, picking up a fare to Wapping. After being harassed by roughs, a shabby gentleman (Mr. Evans) rescues him. Diamond offers him a free ride, and Mr. Evans asks to be taken to Chiswick. Diamond realizes Mr. Evans is Miss Coleman's former fiancé, and decides to take him to the Colemans' current home in Hoxton instead, believing it best to reunite them. The wind is fierce, but Diamond manages to bring them together, and Miss Coleman gratefully kisses him and gives him five shillings. Diamond returns home to tell his parents, and his father improves upon hearing of his son's good deeds. Diamond continues cabbing for a fortnight, then goes to inquire about Nanny.
Chapter 29
XXVII: The Children’s Hospital
Diamond visits the children's hospital with Mr. Raymond and finds Nanny, who has been transformed by illness and care into a gentle, refined girl. Mr. Raymond tells the children a fairy tale.
Chapter 30
Little Daylight
This chapter tells the story of Princess Daylight, who is under a spell that causes her to wax and wane with the moon. A young prince, fleeing his own kingdom after a rebellion, disguises himself as a peasant and wanders into the forest. He encounters a good fairy who offers him shelter, and he becomes entranced by the princess as he watches her dance in the moonlight. The chapter explores the princess's cyclical enchantment and the prince's growing fascination.
Chapter 31
XXIX: Ruby
Mr. Raymond discusses Nanny's future with Diamond after she leaves the hospital, proposing that Diamond's father take in Nanny and care for her in exchange for the use of Mr. Raymond's horse, Ruby, while he is away. Diamond's parents consider the offer, weighing the financial burden against the chance to help Nanny and give old Diamond more rest, and ultimately accept.
Chapter 32
XXX: Nanny's Dream
Diamond visits Nanny in the hospital, and she recounts a vivid dream inspired by a ruby ring lent to her by a kind lady. In the dream, she finds herself in a garden, pursued by a dog, and takes refuge in a summerhouse where the moonlight shines through a red pane, growing ever brighter. Diamond suggests the dream may be connected to North Wind, but Nanny insists it was only a dream. Their conversation touches on the nature of dreams, goodness, and truth.
Chapter 33
The North Wind Doth Blow
Nanny recovers and moves in with Diamond's family, helping with household duties. The family faces financial hardship due to Ruby's lameness and a depression in business. Diamond teaches Nanny to read and care for the baby. A new baby girl is born, and Diamond sings her new songs. The family struggles through winter, and Diamond gives up his room for Nanny.
Chapter 34
Diamond and Ruby
On a Friday night, with the family having little to eat, Diamond hears North Wind calling him and is led to the stable, where he overhears a heated argument between the two horses, old Diamond and Ruby. Ruby confesses to intentionally laming himself to grow fat and be presentable for his master, claiming to be an angel-horse, which leaves old Diamond incredulous and young Diamond pondering.
Chapter 35
The Prospect Brightens
Diamond's parents worry about his sleepwalking and health due to scarce food, but Diamond remains cheerful, singing a song about a baby's origins. His father Joseph struggles financially with the horse Ruby, but Mr. Raymond returns, forgives the debt, and offers a new arrangement: Joseph can keep Ruby and use both horses together. The family's prospects improve, and Joseph's attitude toward Ruby softens.
Chapter 36
In the Country
Ruby and Diamond have grown healthy and strong. Joseph's family prepares to move to the country, but Nanny is unenthusiastic, having no concept of rural life. Diamond arranges for Jim, Nanny's lame friend, to join them by convincing Mr. Raymond to employ him. The group travels to Mr. Raymond's new home, The Mound, in Kent. Diamond finds deep peace in the countryside, dreaming of the back of the north wind, though he neither sees nor hears North Wind for two months.
Chapter 37
XXXV: I Make Diamond’s Acquaintance
The narrator meets Diamond for the first time at The Mound, Mr. Raymond's estate. Diamond is reading a fairy story by Mr. Raymond and discusses his simple, fearless approach to life. He helps two frightened children draw water from a well despite a strange creature, shows the narrator his 'nest' in a beech tree, and is later installed as a page in the house. During a thunderstorm, Diamond remains calm and sings from his nest after a branch is struck by lightning.
Chapter 38
Diamond Questions North Wind
Diamond's friend (the narrator) observes Diamond's reticence about his experiences with North Wind. One evening, Diamond climbs his beech tree to look at the moon, and Nanny teases him about dreams. Later, Diamond discovers a long, empty room under the roof where North Wind appears and dances with him. They fly to a meadow and a common, where Diamond anxiously questions whether she is real or a dream, and North Wind struggles to answer him satisfactorily.
Chapter 39
XXXVII: Once More
Diamond and North Wind journey through the night, visiting a suffering lady whom Diamond comforts with a song. Diamond returns to his old home but finds it empty and lifeless without the people he loved. North Wind then takes him on a beautiful journey along a brook and river, discussing dreams and truth.
Chapter 40
At the Back of the North Wind
The narrator recounts Diamond's metaphysical conversations with North Wind and his eventual death. Diamond appears pale and cold after a silent visitation from North Wind, and is later found lying on the floor of the attic-room, having passed away. The narrator recognizes that Diamond has gone to the back of the north wind.
