The North Wind Doth Blow explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Moral Growth Through Adversity

  The family faces financial hardship and illness, yet Diamond's selflessness and Joseph's perseverance demonstrate moral growth.

• Compassion and Service

  Diamond teaches Nanny, gives up his room, and sings to the new baby, embodying compassion and service to his family.

• Home and Belonging

  Nanny finds a home with Diamond's family, and the household adapts to accommodate the new baby, reinforcing themes of belonging.

Characters to notice

• Diamond

  Teaches Nanny to care for the baby and to read; sings new songs to the new baby girl; gives up his room for Nanny.

• Nanny

  Recovers from illness, moves in with Diamond's family, learns household tasks and reading, helps with the new baby.

• Joseph

  Struggles with financial hardship due to Ruby's lameness and business depression; tries to keep hope alive.

• Mother

  Is poorly and expecting a new baby; gives birth to a girl; receives help from Nanny.

• Ruby

  Arrives and brings ill luck; falls lame for a month; is a constant weight on Joseph's mind.

• Mr. Raymond

  Does not return as expected; Joseph waits for him to get rid of Ruby.

Key passages

• “It was a great delight to Diamond when at length Nanny was well enough to leave the hospital and go home to their house.”

  Diamond was very happy when Nanny finally recovered enough to leave the hospital and come live with them.

  Nanny's recovery and integration into the household.

• “It was great fun to see Diamond teaching her how to hold the baby, and wash and dress him, and often they laughed together over her awkwardness.”

  Diamond enjoyed teaching Nanny baby care, and they laughed at her initial clumsiness.

  Diamond's role as teacher and the lighthearted moments.

• “During all that month, they lived on very short commons indeed, seldom tasting meat except on Sundays, and poor old Diamond, who worked hardest of all, not even then.”

  For the whole month, they had very little food, rarely eating meat except on Sundays, and Diamond, who worked the hardest, didn't even get meat then.

  The family's severe deprivation during Ruby's lameness.

• “Of God's gifts a baby is of the greatest; therefore it is no wonder that when this one came, she was as heartily welcomed by the little household as if she had brought plenty with her.”

  A baby is one of God's greatest gifts, so it's no surprise that the new baby was welcomed warmly despite the family's poverty.

  The family's joyful reception of the new baby despite hardship.

• “He did not sing the same songs to her that he had sung to his brother, for, he said, she was a new baby and must have new songs; and besides, she was a sister-baby and not a brother-baby, and of course would not like the same kind of songs.”

  Diamond sang different songs to his new sister because he believed each baby needed unique songs suited to their gender and individuality.

  Diamond's thoughtful and creative approach to caring for the new baby.