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

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

## What happens

The narrator recounts Diamond's metaphysical conversations with North Wind and his eventual death. Diamond appears pale and cold after a silent visitation from North Wind, and is later found lying on the floor of the attic-room, having passed away. The narrator recognizes that Diamond has gone to the back of the north wind.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dreams and Reality

Diamond's conversations with North Wind blur the line between dream and reality, and the narrator questions whether North Wind is a dream.

### Innocence and Wisdom

Diamond's innocent nature allows him to engage in profound metaphysical discussions without pretense, embodying wisdom through innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Diamond

The child protagonist who recounts his conversations with North Wind and dies at the end of the chapter.

### North Wind

The mysterious being who visits Diamond silently, appearing white as snow with blue eyes.

### Nanny

Mentioned as having called Diamond a silly along with Jim.

### Jim

Mentioned as having called Diamond a silly along with Nanny.

### Mr. Raymond

Mrs. Raymond is mentioned as having been crying; the narrator visits the Raymonds' home.

## Key lines

> Could it be all dreaming, do you think, sir?

Diamond asks the narrator if his experiences with North Wind might be just dreams.

_Diamond's uncertainty about the reality of his encounters with North Wind._

> I knew that he had gone to the back of the north wind.

The narrator realizes that Diamond has died and gone to the place North Wind spoke of.

_The narrator's recognition of Diamond's death as a journey to the back of the north wind._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxviii-at-the-back-of-the-north-wind
- 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