At the Back of the North Wind · Chapter
VII: The Cathedral explained
North Wind leaves Diamond alone in a cathedral to teach him courage.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Moral Growth Through Adversity
Diamond overcomes his fear of the narrow gallery and learns that trying to be brave is itself bravery, a key step in his moral development.
Faith and Trust
North Wind trusts Diamond to walk alone, and Diamond must trust that she will catch him if he falls; she also trusts in the far-off song that makes suffering bearable.
Suffering and Redemption
North Wind discusses the drowning ship and the cry of the passengers, but points to a far-off song that will swallow up all fear and pain, hinting at ultimate redemption.
Characters to notice
- Diamond
Learns courage by walking alone on the cathedral gallery; questions North Wind about suffering and bravery; tries to sing nursery rhymes but finds them silly in the vast church.
- North Wind
Leaves Diamond to walk alone to teach him courage; explains she bears the cries of the drowning by hearing a far-off song; blows a gentle wind to revive Diamond's courage.
Key passages
“Because I wanted you to walk alone.”
North Wind left Diamond so he could learn to be brave by himself.
North Wind explains her reason for vanishing from the gallery.
“To try to be brave is to be brave. The coward who tries to be brave is before the man who is brave because he is made so, and never had to try.”
Making an effort to be courageous is itself an act of courage, and more admirable than natural bravery.
North Wind teaches Diamond that effort matters more than innate disposition.
“I am always hearing, through every noise, through all the noise I am making myself even, the sound of a far-off song.”
North Wind constantly perceives a distant, beautiful music that reassures her amid the chaos she causes.
North Wind explains how she endures the suffering she must inflict.