# XI: How Diamond Got Home Again explained — At the Back of the North Wind

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Home and Belonging

Diamond's strong desire to return to his mother and home drives the chapter.

### Faith and Trust

Diamond trusts that North Wind will return after her playful transformations, showing his unwavering faith.

## Character check-ins

### Diamond

Longs to return home and finds North Wind after seven days.

### North Wind

Sits motionless on her doorstep until Diamond touches her, then transforms into animals to guide him.

### Mother

Diamond sees her crying from the tree, prompting his wish to go home.

## Key lines

> When one at the back of the north wind wanted to know how things were going with anyone he loved, he had to go to a certain tree, climb the stem, and sit down in the branches.

To check on loved ones from the back of the north wind, one must climb a specific tree and sit quietly in its branches.

_Describes the method Diamond uses to see his mother._

> I thought I had been a hundred years! exclaimed Diamond. You have just been seven days, returned North Wind.

Diamond believes he has been away for a century, but North Wind tells him only a week has passed.

_Highlights the difference in time perception between the two realms._

> And the tiger flew over the snow in a straight line for the south, growing less and less to Diamond's eyes till it was only a black speck upon the whiteness; and then it vanished altogether.

The tiger, which is North Wind, races southward, shrinking until it disappears from sight.

_Illustrates North Wind's transformation and Diamond's fearless pursuit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xi-how-diamond-got-home-again
- 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