BOOK REVIEW

Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind in the Willows"

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is a book for young readers. The actual plot is
British in origin rather than American. The novel depicts a fair amount of the relationship
between human-like animals and wildlife, with a fair amount of sarcasm and British jokes.

Mole, Rat, Toad, Badger, and Otter are some of the characters that appear in this novel. Toad
displaying a hard headed and childish characteristics. Mole exhibit rational characteristics and
reasonable behavioral patterns. Badgers exhibit qualities of generosity and friendliness. Otter
has characteristics of intellect. In the stories of Trailing and Neonoir, each character plays an
equal role.

A peaceful little mammal named Mole is shown cleaning up in the opening pages of the book.
After spending a few relaxing afternoons enjoying picnics and time on the river, Mole and Ratty
decide to visit one of Ratty's friends, Toad, who—when they arrive—explains to them his latest
obsession: a horse and cart. Soon after meeting Ratty, who loves nothing more than "messing
about in boats," Mole and Ratty decide to visit another one of Ratty's friends, Toad. They
accompany Toad on a ride, but while they are traveling down the road, a speeding car tips them
over, utterly breaking Toad's small cart.

Toad's initial thought is not that he is sad over losing his favorite toy, but rather that he too wants
one of those amazing cars. But his obsession gets him into danger. Toad is soon detained and
imprisoned for car theft, much to the despair of Mole, Ratty, and their old and wise buddy
Badger. The unfortunate Toad, who most definitely wasn't suited for jail life, is quickly comforted
by one of the guard's daughters, who also lends him some old washerwoman's clothes and
assists in his escape.

When Toad returns to the river, his companions greet him and inform him that his once-proud
home, Toad Hall, has been taken seized by the vile woodland creatures, the stoats and the
weasels. The four friends follow the tunnel, which takes them right into the hideout of their
enemies, after Badger tells Toad that it leads back into the center of Toad Hall. This gives the
group of friends reason to believe that there is still hope.

After a huge battle, Badger, Mole, Ratty, and Toad are able to get rid of the stoats and weasels
from the hall, returning Toad to his rightful place. The remainder of the novel implies that the
four friends will maintain their laid-back way of life, occasionally going on river trips and having
picnics. Although Toad partially manages to control his obsessive behavior, he is unable to fully
recover.

Grahams described the happenings and changes during the industrial revolution using his
writing style. The British technological revolution, when machines began to replace people in the
creation of products and services, is symbolized by the motorcar. With its wealth of adventures
and Toad's misadventures, Kenneth Grahame's famous children's book The Wind in the Willows
never fails to enchant young readers. The novel is about animals, after all, so adults and older
kids who critically assess it are allowed to reflect on and reevaluate their decisions and the
results of those decisions while also maintaining their distance from the narrative.

So, is it worthwhile to recommend this book? Yes, it is because this work of art has a number of
moral lessons. a lesson in morality that the reader can take away from the narrative. As he uses
his limitless resources to pursue his aspirations, Toad in particular has a lot to learn. His
impulsive decisions frequently result in his arrest and probable long-term imprisonment. But
over time, his pals help him and eventually convince him to make a change. They basically
never give up on him, which is a great lesson for readers.