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“The Mole knew well that it is quite against animal-etiquette to dwell on possible trouble ahead, or even to allude to it; so he dropped the subject.”
In Chapter I, the Mole is newly introduced to the aboveground world. He encounters the river for the first time in his life, and the Water Rat shows him the joys of navigating it by boat. He also enlightens the Mole about other parts of the world, such as the meadows and the Wild Wood. He is tight-lipped about the latter, and the Mole unwisely asks for further explanation. The Water Rat reluctantly tells him a little bit about the creatures that live there, but as they are predators and thus dangerous to small creatures like themselves, he doesn’t want to say too much. The Mole, embarrassed, realizes that his curiosity has gotten him into trouble, as it will many times over.
“As he did not go into Society himself, he had got an idea that these things belonged to the things that didn’t really matter.”
In Chapter IV, the Badger welcomes the Water Rat and the Mole out of the cold and treats them to an ample meal. At the table, they are all so hungry and so relieved that no one pays much attention to their table manners. Fortunately, none of them care. Safety, comfort, and friendship are more important than whether someone puts their elbows on the table while they eat. Still, in the very next sentence, the narrator reminds the reader that manners are truly quite important. Taken together, the two statements constitute an amusing commentary on the difference between the animal and the human worlds as well as a mild satire on those who prioritize social niceties over true hospitality.
“This was a base libel on Badger, who, though he cared little about Society, was rather fond of children; but it never failed to have its full effect.”
This quote demonstrates a function of social etiquette beyond mere manner-minding, keeping people in line. After the battle for the Toad’s estate, the Badger and his friends earn a reputation for their ferocity. Local mothers use this reputation to keep their children in line, warning them that if they misbehave, the Badger will come after them. Like the other comments made in the novel about the Badger’s disregard for social mores, it’s nonsense. He’s an excellent host to the lost and frightened Water Rat and Mole as well as some small, wayward hedgehogs. And he leads the characters in restraining the Toad and restoring his position. Nevertheless, it’s an effective warning.
