# The Hayloft explained — At the Back of the North Wind

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence and Wisdom

Diamond's innocent curiosity leads him to converse with North Wind, and his simple wisdom helps him decide to trust her despite not fully understanding her.

### Faith and Trust

Diamond agrees to follow North Wind based on her beauty and words, and she asks him to hold on even if she appears ugly or frightening, emphasizing trust beyond appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Diamond

The young boy who sleeps in the hayloft, curious and trusting, he opens the hole in the wall and agrees to go with North Wind.

### North Wind

A majestic and beautiful being who speaks through the hole in the wall, she introduces herself and persuades Diamond to follow her.

### Father

Mentioned as having said that making a window into Mr. Dyves's garden would be against the law.

### Mother

Mentioned as having pasted paper over the hole and having the toothache; Diamond recalls her advice about being polite.

### Mr. Dyves

Mentioned as the neighbor whose garden would be overlooked by a window, and whose bed North Wind dismisses as an ash-pit.

## Key lines

> What do you mean, little boy—closing up my window?

Why did you block my window?

_North Wind scolds Diamond for stuffing hay into the hole, which she considers her window._

> I am so tall I am above that law.

I am too big for that law to apply to me.

_North Wind explains that the law about windows does not constrain her._

> If you see me with my face all black, don’t be frightened. If you see me flapping wings like a bat’s, as big as the whole sky, don’t be frightened.

Even if I look terrifying, do not be afraid.

_North Wind warns Diamond that her appearance may change but he must still trust her._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/i-the-hayloft
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters