# The Return of Ulysses explained — The Wind in the Willows

> Chapter companion for The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xii-the-return-of-ulysses
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters