The Wind in the Willows · Chapter
The Return of Ulysses explained
After the recapture of Toad Hall, Toad initially displays uncharacteristic humility at the victory banquet, but soon reverts to his boastful ways.
What happens
After the recapture of Toad Hall, Toad initially displays uncharacteristic humility at the victory banquet, but soon reverts to his boastful ways. He writes self-aggrandizing invitations, sings a triumphant song, and plans a grand celebration. The chapter ends with the four friends living peacefully, respected by the Wild Wood inhabitants, and Toad making amends to those he wronged.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Humility
Toad's brief display of humility at the banquet contrasts sharply with his subsequent vanity, highlighting the tension between genuine reform and ingrained pride.
Home and Hearth
The recapture and celebration of Toad Hall emphasize the importance of home and the comfort of returning to one's ancestral place.
Friendship and Loyalty
Badger, Rat, and Mole work together to restore Toad Hall and manage Toad's excesses, demonstrating steadfast friendship.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Toad
Shows initial humility at the banquet but quickly returns to vanity, writing boastful invitations and singing his own praises.
- Badger
Organizes the banquet and keeps Toad in check, insisting on proper invitations and modest behavior.
- Rat
Helps with the banquet preparations and confiscates Toad's disgraceful invitations, replacing them with simple ones.
- Mole
Sits in the blue boudoir filling out plain invitation cards, contributing to the banquet arrangements.
- Otter
Attends the banquet and tries to celebrate Toad, but is snubbed by Toad's feigned modesty.
- Chief Weasel
Mentioned as having been laid flat by Toad during the battle, though Toad exaggerates his role.
Key passages
“The Toad—came—home! There was panic in the parlours and howling in the halls...”
Toad's return caused chaos and fear among the weasels, with windows smashed and doors crashing.
Toad's self-composed song glorifies his return and exaggerates his heroic reception.
“Badger's was the master mind; the Mole and the Water Rat bore the brunt of the fighting; I merely served in the ranks and did little or nothing.”
Toad claims that Badger planned the attack, Mole and Rat did most of the fighting, and he only followed orders.
This shows Toad's initial attempt at humility, though it is soon abandoned.
“He was indeed an altered Toad!”
Toad seemed completely changed in his behavior.
The narrator ironically notes Toad's temporary transformation, which does not last.