Pastoral Themes
in the Wind & the Willows
Pastoral works refer to a genre of literature that focuses on
the bucolic aspects of nature and the countryside. The English
countryside represents the ideal location for a pastoral work. One
such work is the Edwardian childrens story, The Wind in the
Willows by
Kenneth
Grahame. Since its publication in 1908, the story has become a
beloved childrens classic. However, the story represents Edwardian
society in England, and uses anthropomorphized animals to represent
Edwardian men. As a
pastoralwork,
the events of the story occur in the English countryside, where the
animals work together to care for the wild one in their group,
Mr. Toad. Mr.
Toads Wild Ride through he English countryside
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The author used
the background of a pastoral vision to help elucidate the
characteristics of Edwardian society. Mr. Toad is one of the most
known characters from the work. He is extremely wealthy and
essentially bored with his life. His English country life does not
offer him fulfillment. As such, he jumps from interest to interest,
quickly grabbing at new hobbies. As a wealthy landed scion, he has
the luxury of this lifestyle. From the earliest mentions of his
home, Toad Hall, it becomes apparent that he represents the landed
gentry. Rat points out his home from the river. The stables are
over there to the right. Thats the banqueting-hall youre looking
at nowvery old, that is. Toad is rather rich, you know (Grahame
19). Toad quickly changes his interests, spending the money his
father left him. Rat describes this character flaw of Toad:
Boating is out. Hes tired of it, and done with it. I wonder what
new fad he has taken up now? (Grahame 21). Toad quickly takes up
motoring as his new hobby. Motoring referred to the hobby of
driving and racing cars, something only the wealthy could afford at
this time. All of this is discussed as the characters take a slow
ride down the river and then sit quietly in the countryside. An
outdoor luncheon helps to create the image of the setting. The
English countryside represents the perfect pastoral setting, and
the characters all seem to enjoy
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