# At the Back of the North Wind — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald.

- [The Hayloft](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/i-the-hayloft.md): 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 agre
- [II: The Lawn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/ii-the-lawn.md): 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
- [Old Diamond](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/iii-old-diamond.md): 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.
- [IV: North Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/iv-north-wind.md): 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. 
- [V: The Summerhouse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/v-the-summerhouse.md): 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 it
- [VI: Out in the Storm](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/vi-out-in-the-storm.md): 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 
- [VII: The Cathedral](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/vii-the-cathedral.md): 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 shi
- [VIII: The East Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/viii-the-east-window.md): 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 
- [IX: How Diamond Got to the Back of the North Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/ix-how-diamond-got-to-the-back-of-the-north-wind.md): 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 i
- [X: At the Back of the North Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/x-at-the-back-of-the-north-wind.md): 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 pe
- [XI: How Diamond Got Home Again](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xi-how-diamond-got-home-again.md): 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 tr
- [XII: Who Met Diamond at Sandwich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xii-who-met-diamond-at-sandwich.md): 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 
- [XIII: The Seaside](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xiii-the-seaside.md): 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 o
- [Old Diamond](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xiv-old-diamond.md): 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
- [XV: The Mews](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xv-the-mews.md): 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
- [Diamond Makes a Beginning](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xvi-diamond-makes-a-beginning.md): 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 fath
- [Diamond Goes On](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xvii-diamond-goes-on.md): 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 e
- [The Drunken Cabman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xviii-the-drunken-cabman.md): 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 cabma
- [XIX: Diamond’s Friends](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xix-diamond-s-friends.md): 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 promisin
- [Diamond Learns to Read](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xx-diamond-learns-to-read.md): 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 'Lit
- [Little Boy Blue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/little-boy-blue.md): 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 
- [Sal’s Nanny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxi-sal-s-nanny.md): 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
- [Mr. Raymond’s Riddle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxii-mr-raymond-s-riddle.md): 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
- [XXIII: The Early Bird](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxiii-the-early-bird.md): 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 
- [Another Early Bird](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxiv-another-early-bird.md): 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 h
- [The True Story of the Cat and the Fiddle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/the-true-story-of-the-cat-and-the-fiddle.md): 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 playfu
- [XXV: Diamond's Dream](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxv-diamond-s-dream.md): 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 
- [Diamond Takes a Fare the Wrong Way Right](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxvi-diamond-takes-a-fare-the-wrong-way-right.md): 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
- [XXVII: The Children’s Hospital](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxvii-the-children-s-hospital.md): 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.
- [Little Daylight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxviii-little-daylight.md): 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
- [XXIX: Ruby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxix-ruby.md): 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. Diam
- [XXX: Nanny's Dream](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxx-nanny-s-dream.md): 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 wh
- [The North Wind Doth Blow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxi-the-north-wind-doth-blow.md): 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 ba
- [Diamond and Ruby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxii-diamond-and-ruby.md): 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
- [The Prospect Brightens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-prospect-brightens.md): 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. Raym
- [In the Country](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxiv-in-the-country.md): 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 b
- [XXXV: I Make Diamond’s Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxv-i-make-diamond-s-acquaintance.md): 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
- [Diamond Questions North Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxvi-diamond-questions-north-wind.md): 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 discov
- [XXXVII: Once More](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxvii-once-more.md): 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 
- [At the Back of the North Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxviii-at-the-back-of-the-north-wind.md): 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 att

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