Children’s Stories · Chapter
The Devoted Friend explained
The Linnet tells the Water-rat a story about little Hans and the Miller, who exploits Hans under the guise of friendship.
What happens
The Linnet tells the Water-rat a story about little Hans and the Miller, who exploits Hans under the guise of friendship. Hans suffers through winter, gives away his flowers, carries flour to market, and performs errands for the Miller, eventually drowning in a storm while fetching the doctor for the Miller's son. The Miller mourns at the funeral but complains about the wheelbarrow he had promised Hans. The Water-rat, annoyed by the moral, retreats into his hole.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Exploitation
The Miller's manipulation of Hans under the pretense of friendship highlights the theme of exploitation, where one party benefits at the expense of the other.
Social Inequality and Injustice
Hans's poverty and the Miller's wealth create an unequal dynamic, leading to Hans's suffering and death while the Miller remains comfortable and unpunished.
Innocence and Experience
Hans's naive trust in the Miller contrasts with the Miller's cynical manipulation, illustrating the loss of innocence through harsh experience.
Characters to notice
- Little Hans
The devoted friend who is exploited by the Miller; he works hard, gives away his flowers, and ultimately drowns while running an errand.
- big Hugh the Miller
The selfish friend who manipulates Hans with promises of a wheelbarrow, taking advantage of his labor and friendship.
- a Green Linnet
The narrator of the story within the chapter, telling the tale of Hans and the Miller to the Water-rat.
- the Duck
A listener who comments on the danger of telling stories with a moral.
- the Doctor
The doctor whom Hans fetches for the Miller's son, leading to Hans's drowning.
Key passages
“‘There is no good in my going to see little Hans as long as the snow lasts,’ the Miller used to say to his wife, ‘for when people are in trouble they should be left alone, and not be bothered by visitors.’”
The Miller claims that visiting a friend in need is bothersome, using this as an excuse to avoid helping Hans during winter.
This rationalization reveals the Miller's selfishness disguised as wisdom.
“‘Flour is one thing, and friendship is another, and they should not be confused. Why, the words are spelt differently, and mean quite different things.’”
The Miller argues that material goods and friendship are separate, justifying his refusal to share resources with Hans.
This highlights the Miller's hypocrisy and the theme of exploitation.
“‘I am his best friend, and I will always watch over him, and see that he is not led into any temptations.’”
The Miller claims to protect Hans from envy by not inviting him into his home, but this actually prevents Hans from receiving help.
The Miller's 'protection' is a form of control and neglect.