At the Back of the North Wind · Chapter
VI: Out in the Storm explained
North Wind lifts Diamond from his bed and carries him into the heart of a violent storm.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Duality of Nature
North Wind embodies a dual nature: she is both the gentle protector of Diamond and the destructive force that sinks ships. Diamond grapples with reconciling these aspects, ultimately trusting that both are expressions of the same good being.
Faith and Trust
Diamond's trust in North Wind is tested when she reveals her intention to sink a ship. Despite his fear and confusion, he chooses to believe in her inherent goodness, demonstrating faith beyond visible evidence.
Characters to notice
- Diamond
Diamond is carried by North Wind into the storm, initially fearful but finding courage in her embrace. He questions her about sinking a ship, ultimately affirming his trust in her goodness.
- North Wind
North Wind lifts Diamond from his bed and carries him through the storm, sheltering him in her arms. She explains her dual nature and defends her intention to sink a ship, asserting that her unknown actions are as kind as those Diamond knows.
Key passages
“But he did not mind it. He only gasped first and then laughed, for the arm of North Wind was about him, and he was leaning against her bosom.”
He didn't care about the storm's fury because North Wind's arm held him and he rested against her chest.
Diamond's fear transforms into joy through the comfort of North Wind's presence.
“It is quite impossible for me to describe what he saw.”
I cannot adequately put into words what he witnessed.
The narrator acknowledges the limits of language in capturing Diamond's sublime experience.
“Then if I'm it, and have you in my arms, how can it hurt you?”
Since I am the storm and I am holding you, how could the storm possibly harm you?
North Wind reassures Diamond that her identity as the storm makes him safe within it.
“I begin to think there are better things than being comfortable.”
I'm starting to realize that comfort isn't the most important thing.
Diamond shows growing maturity, valuing closeness with North Wind over mere physical ease.
“You don't know the other me. You are sure of one of them? ... Then the other me you don't know must be as kind as the me you do know?”
You only know one side of me. Since there can't be two of me, the side you don't know must be just as kind as the side you do.
North Wind uses logic to argue that her unknown actions are consistent with her known goodness.