Thank you for this wonderful trip down memory lane, Kate! I hadn't thought about WitW in so long, and I was flooded by recollections of watching the film in front of a grainy television seated upon coarse brown shag carpeting.
I especially loved your discussion of the domestic interiors. Come to think of it, WitW — along with the cozy homes of Mr. Tumnus and the Beavers in Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe — were likely my first introductions to the ideas I’d later absorb in Bachelard’s Poetics of Space. I dreamed of living in their cozy homes, lit by fireplace and candlelight, with art on the walls, music stands bursting with scores, and hearths of dark wood. And I still do! 💙
I also hadn't thought about WitW for a long long time, but it was very much a part of growing up.
Thanks for these spoken words, Kate. Always a pleasure to hear your voice. (Admittedly this was Monday afternoon rather than Saturday brunch for me, sorry. For some reason I didn't spot this post on Saturday!)
I recently read Matthew Denison's biography of the author Kenneth Grahame...such a sad story, a man whose fame and fortune brought him no happiness , an appalling marriage to Elspeth, who would certainly need a more sympathetic biographer to make you like her, and the terrible suicide of his only child. His career at the Bank of England ended in failure. Even Wind in the Willows was turned down by several publishers before Methuen took it on. It was AA Milne, creator of Pooh, who turned the novel into a stage play.
That sounds so tragic. I’m not sure I can read that biography although now I’m intrigued. I guess it’s even more tragic in the depiction of a supportive friend base that he describes, which perhaps he didn’t have in real life.
A few years ago I was undertaking an evening course on Children's Literature and Wind in The Willows was one of the texts.
Many things struck me at the time, but a key one the was the evocation of male friendship amongst the characters. At the same time I was also reading Marlon James' A Brief History of Seven Killings, and remember thinking that within both books the role of 'gangs' is crucial. It was an unexpected comparison.
That sounds like a compelling comparison. I think if children are given the right frames to talk about these issues early on, they can understand on a deeper level and hopefully avoid that negative side a group of (male) friends could have. Interesting - thanks for your thoughts, Matt!
I was introduced to The Wind in the Willows when I was very young as it was a great favourite with my father. He had an old green hardback version bought for him in 1950 when he was five, which I now own. I think it's a masterpiece, and I say so when I mention it briefly in an article I'm working on at the moment.
I thoroughly enjoyed your examination of it and never having studied Grahame's intentions in writing it (if these are known) I wonder whether he intended it as some kind of moral allegory for children, or whether it was for pure fun. I think it works on either level. It has everything: drama, jeopardy (stoats and weasels), high comedy (Toad impersonating a washer woman) and yes, a sinister addiction to cars...
It's the kind of book that can be enjoyed by everyone, because the story speaks both to the child and to the adult. I could not agree more about speaking to children in a mature way. I don't have that much interaction with them but when I do they react well to it. Obviously one must make allowances for their limited vocabulary but I always think that "talking down" to them is not the way to encourage their development. I enjoyed your son's review of WITW by the way. He'll go far!
If everyone got to read WITW I think we might have a better world. Perhaps a copy should be left in every hotel room, like the bible used to be!
How wonderful that you have that copy from your dad!
I wonder if the addiction to cars is metaphor for being blinded by progress? Or just a tool to show we should help our friends in these cases?
I also don’t know the intention but think the effect is all those things you describe. How funny you were just writing about it. I shall look out for the allusion!
My goodness, Mole likes a lot of sugar in his tea... ::)) I ADORE WitW... 💚
Haha, such wonderful, memorable lines!
Thanks Troy!
Thank you for this wonderful trip down memory lane, Kate! I hadn't thought about WitW in so long, and I was flooded by recollections of watching the film in front of a grainy television seated upon coarse brown shag carpeting.
I especially loved your discussion of the domestic interiors. Come to think of it, WitW — along with the cozy homes of Mr. Tumnus and the Beavers in Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe — were likely my first introductions to the ideas I’d later absorb in Bachelard’s Poetics of Space. I dreamed of living in their cozy homes, lit by fireplace and candlelight, with art on the walls, music stands bursting with scores, and hearths of dark wood. And I still do! 💙
I do sometimes wonder if Bachelard read WitW. It does make sense!
That's a lovely scene you've set. I hope you've realized some of it beyond dreaming. :)
Thanks for the lovely comment, Michael!
Great comment, Michael.
I also hadn't thought about WitW for a long long time, but it was very much a part of growing up.
Thanks for these spoken words, Kate. Always a pleasure to hear your voice. (Admittedly this was Monday afternoon rather than Saturday brunch for me, sorry. For some reason I didn't spot this post on Saturday!)
Thanks Nathan!
Never a rush 🙂 appreciate you.
I recently read Matthew Denison's biography of the author Kenneth Grahame...such a sad story, a man whose fame and fortune brought him no happiness , an appalling marriage to Elspeth, who would certainly need a more sympathetic biographer to make you like her, and the terrible suicide of his only child. His career at the Bank of England ended in failure. Even Wind in the Willows was turned down by several publishers before Methuen took it on. It was AA Milne, creator of Pooh, who turned the novel into a stage play.
AA Milne! How wonderful.
That sounds so tragic. I’m not sure I can read that biography although now I’m intrigued. I guess it’s even more tragic in the depiction of a supportive friend base that he describes, which perhaps he didn’t have in real life.
Thanks for reading and sharing this layer, Sarah.
Oh boy, I’d almost forgotten about this! I used to watch this when I was growing up. How wonderful 😊
Cool you watched it, too! 🤗
A few years ago I was undertaking an evening course on Children's Literature and Wind in The Willows was one of the texts.
Many things struck me at the time, but a key one the was the evocation of male friendship amongst the characters. At the same time I was also reading Marlon James' A Brief History of Seven Killings, and remember thinking that within both books the role of 'gangs' is crucial. It was an unexpected comparison.
That sounds like a compelling comparison. I think if children are given the right frames to talk about these issues early on, they can understand on a deeper level and hopefully avoid that negative side a group of (male) friends could have. Interesting - thanks for your thoughts, Matt!
Brilliant videos. Toad! Loved this trip down memory lane.
I was introduced to The Wind in the Willows when I was very young as it was a great favourite with my father. He had an old green hardback version bought for him in 1950 when he was five, which I now own. I think it's a masterpiece, and I say so when I mention it briefly in an article I'm working on at the moment.
I thoroughly enjoyed your examination of it and never having studied Grahame's intentions in writing it (if these are known) I wonder whether he intended it as some kind of moral allegory for children, or whether it was for pure fun. I think it works on either level. It has everything: drama, jeopardy (stoats and weasels), high comedy (Toad impersonating a washer woman) and yes, a sinister addiction to cars...
It's the kind of book that can be enjoyed by everyone, because the story speaks both to the child and to the adult. I could not agree more about speaking to children in a mature way. I don't have that much interaction with them but when I do they react well to it. Obviously one must make allowances for their limited vocabulary but I always think that "talking down" to them is not the way to encourage their development. I enjoyed your son's review of WITW by the way. He'll go far!
If everyone got to read WITW I think we might have a better world. Perhaps a copy should be left in every hotel room, like the bible used to be!
How wonderful that you have that copy from your dad!
I wonder if the addiction to cars is metaphor for being blinded by progress? Or just a tool to show we should help our friends in these cases?
I also don’t know the intention but think the effect is all those things you describe. How funny you were just writing about it. I shall look out for the allusion!
Thanks Jules.
If you do spot it just put "Poop Poop!" in the notes.
Dear old Toad. Yes he was really naughty and very lucky in his friends. I think Ratty and Badger are my favourites.
By the way, I forgot to mention that I used the Welsh dresser in this piece!! Thank you 😊
I noticed! 🥰
:)
Mole is so endearing but I love Badger’s calm wisdom.