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Summary
Chapter I. The River Bank
The Mole is cleaning when spring fever seizes hold of him and he leaves his underground home to enjoy the warmth and sunshine of a grassy meadow. He travels along a low hedge, dodging a rabbit who tries to collect a toll. He delights in watching everyone else work while he strolls along enjoying the weather. He comes upon the first river he has ever seen and is enchanted by it. Across the river, high up on the bank, the Mole spots a snug little hole with a Water Rat inside. The Water Rat invites him over and introduces the Mole to transportation by boat. The Mole’s first, delightful ride is marred only slightly when the Water Rat accidentally hits the bank and falls over.
The two decide to spend the day on the boat, and the Water Rat packs a picnic lunch. They float for a while as the Mole tries to get used to the luxurious experience. The Water Rat explains why he thinks the River life is the best life, but the Mole wonders if it ever gets lonely. The Water Rat then complains about how crowded the banks have gotten. The Mole asks about the land beyond the river, which the Rat calls the Wild Wood and warns the Mole against visiting. Squirrels, rabbits, and the Badger live there, and they are all nice enough, but predators also live there. Beyond the Wild Wood is the Wide World, and neither of them know what is there.
The Water Rat and the Mole pull into a small inlet just off the main river to enjoy their lunch. The Mole is overcome by the beauty of the still water and by the fabulous picnic lunch. After they eat, they spy the Otter leaving a trail of bubbles in the water and invite him to join them. The Badger also emerges, but he leaves quickly because he does not like too much company. Meanwhile, the Otter joins the Water Rat in complaining about all the folks out on the river, especially the Toad, who tries a new boat each year but is never satisfied. The Otter starts to tell a story about Toad when a May-fly interrupts him and he disappears into the river after it.
On the way home, the Mole wants to row the boat, but the Water Rat refuses, telling him it is harder than it looks. The Mole grabs the oars and takes over. Sure enough, he overcompensates and flips the boat over. The Water Rat takes him to shore, then retrieves the boat and picnic basket. Back in the boat, the Mole apologizes. The Water Rat is not bothered at all and asks him to stay over and learn to swim. They cozy up by the fire, and the Mole listens to the Water Rat’s stories until he falls asleep and the Water Rat puts him to bed.
Analysis
A central premise in The Wind in the Willows is that all of nature plays out small dramas similar to the ones in the human world. Spring cleaning, collecting tolls, lazing about on the river, or being grouchy are human behaviors that are here attributed to animals. The book also hints at the animals’ being awestruck by the natural world. The Mole has never seen a river, and he finds its sights and sounds enchanting. The Water Rat seems to know all about the River, but he is surprised by the Mole’s quiet, underground life. Their world also contains mysteries like the Wild Wood and the Wide World. The Mole and the Water Rat recognize that these places are potentially dangerous, even though they do not know what specific risks are there. Although the Mole is curious, he respects “animal-etiquette” and does not ask questions about aspects of life that might be viewed as unpleasant, such as the presence of predators in the Wild Wood or the Badger’s dislike of company.
This chapter focuses on the interaction between the Mole and the Water Rat, two different personalities who find that they share more than they first realize. When we first meet the Mole, he is diligently spring-cleaning his home like a good citizen, but as soon as he is outside in the spring air, he shows a lawless streak. He dodges the authority of the elderly rabbit, escapes his meadow, and runs off to play instead of finishing his work. The Water Rat has already committed to this more enjoyable and lazy river life. Instead of relaxing, the busy little Mole throws himself into his enjoyment of the day. He is busy even as he marvels at the scenery, actively listens to the stories the river tells, and delights in their lunch. To the Mole, everything is an adventure. By contrast, the Water Rat appears to laze and daydream as the events of the riverbank occur. Despite the Mole’s business, he doesn’t accomplish much. He neglects to pack up all of the picnic items, then he rows with so much effort that he overturns the boat. Meanwhile, the Water Rat successfully sculls the boat upstream and down, and diligently retrieves all their submerged belongings, demonstrating that certain lifestyles are better suited to different environments.
The Mole and the Water Rat’s interactions and talk raise the question of whether it is better to be solitary or social. The Mole seems out of place in the animals’ society. He rebels against his duties, dodges the toll keeper, and is overly eager in his interactions with the Water Rat. He finds the Otter and the Badger’s behaviors to be puzzling, and he is not at ease in social settings. He has to remind himself of animal-etiquette and keep his questions and curiosity in check. But he likes the company, and he wonders at what he perceives to be the Water Rat’s isolated lifestyle, living all alone along the river. The Water Rat has a different perspective and complains that the River is too crowded. This is a common complaint in literature that contrasts the country and the city to examine the virtues and vices of each. Despite complaining about the crowds, both the Water Rat and the Otter seem to enjoy socializing. The Water Rat and the Mole spend not only a lovely evening together but the entire summer season because neither of them want to be alone. By contrast, the Badger seems to be looking for solitude and doesn’t join their picnic because it is more company than he wants. As the Water Rat explains, the Badger lives in the middle of the Wild Wood, which is positively overrun with creatures. This suggests that animals, like humans, need a balance of social interaction and solitude. Moreover, an animal’s home environment may determine whether they look for companionship or seek to avoid it.
