crappy notes
Wind in The Willows – Stimulus Booklet – Kenneth Grahame
Quotes:
“There’s real life for you, embodied in that little cart. The open road, the dusty highway…”
“The whole world before you and a horizon that’s always changing.”
In contrast to Skryznecki’s ‘Crossing the Red Sea’ and ‘Feliks Skryznecki’, which focus more on the effect and outcome of the journey, this excerpt of ‘The Wind in The Willows’ from the Stimulus Booklet focuses on the lead up a journey, highlighting the different reactions of individuals, in this case Toad and Ratty – to the idea of a journey away from their home environment.
Whilst Toad is extremely excited at the idea of traveling (perhaps due to the fact that it was his own) , this shown in his exclamation of “ There’s real life for you, embodied in that little cart. The open road, the dusty highway…” he is unable to convince Ratty of it’s charms. And despite much persuasion Ratty doggedly states that he is “not coming… I am going to stick to my old river”.
It is this individual reaction to the idea of change and challenge, which highlights the differences in character between the two. By refusing to go on a journey Ratty is refusing to put himself at risk of new challenges, testing himself against new experiences and growing as a person. Whereas Toady, whilst perhaps possessing a reckless regard to consequences, is ready to hop the cart and experience whatever is put in front of him in the hope of someday having tales to share and memories to enjoy.