England Book Club: The Wind in the Willows – part 6
February 19, 2012
This week we’ll read the last two chapters of The Wind in the Willows (Chapter 11 – Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears – and Chapter 12 – The Return of Ulysses).
In chapter 11, Toad finds out that his house has been taken over by Stoats, Weasels, and Ferrets.
In chapter 12, Toad and his friends fight to reclaim Toad Hall.
Here’s the assignment:
- Why did Kenneth Grahame choose animals like stoats, weasels, and ferrets to represent the bad guys?
- You may have to do some research on who Ulysses was, but tell me why was the last chapter named “The Return of Ulysses”?
- In great stories, the good guys are changed by the things that happen to them. Pick either Rat, Mole, or Toad and tell me (in one good sized paragraph) how they’ve changed over the course of the story.
Each of these answers should take somewhere between 5-7 sentences.
Every student in our England group is required to participate. You must comment on this post with your thoughts, then come back and comment on what other people have said – you are required to make an effort to keep the conversation going by replying to at least 2 other students (more than just “I agree” or “you are right.” Give them reasons why you agree/disagree or what they said that was meaningful – make this a discussion).
Next week, we’ll start reading The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (this is the third, but most popular, of the Sherlock Holmes novels) – you should begin looking for your own copy at a local library or book store soon, but you can also find free ebook copies online at ManyBooks.com.
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Minooka TAP 
1) I belive that Kenneth Grahame choose the stoats, ferrets, and weasels for the bad guys because these creatures look somewhat bad. I mean there natural instinct is to do something unreasonable. This makes them the perfect candidates for this character.
2)Ulysses was a hero that save the town of homer and mole in chapter 12 was somewhat of a hero to save the day so he was mentioned as the return of Ulysses
3) Well over that corse of the book many characters have become heros but i thinmk iw ould like to speak for toad. Toad startewd off asd a mindless animal that was just fun to be around and gave off a sense of happyness. Throught out the book, significantly, he has matured and become a hero that saves and rescuse. He is very smart and sensable still, but is somewhat not himself. He gives me a feeling that he is much more serious and takes every mission serious now. But no matter what he has still come a long was and been a hero :). This makes him a main character as much as Mole and Rat and Badger.
I agree with you that Toad did begin as a “mindless animal that was just fun to be around.” Yes being fun to be around is a good trait, but I would want to be remembered as much more than that. After having a father that the whole town looked up to and respected, I would want to be known as being just like that. Not just some joke who no one cares about. I think Toad realizes that when Badger told him about the secret passage and that he told Badger and not Toad is a sign that he didn’t trust Toad like he trusted his loyal friends. That’s when he changed into a well human being!
Hmm, I somewhat agree. I don’t believe Mole was the ONLY hero in chapter 12. I believe all of them represented Ulysses.
i also agree with you that these animaks can look somewhat bad
I agree on what you thought of the ferrets. They do look like they are bad.
I agree That Toad is a main character too. Good point emily Toad did start off very mindless.
i do agree that toad was mindless but wasnt that only because he didnt really leave the house as much and because people were always saying things about him? i wouldnt leave my house either.
That a good point that there sneeky!
I agree with you they are commonly portrayed as naturaly bad charcter’s/animals. They are usauly seen as sneaky and unreliable charcter’s.
I agree with you that in chapter 12 Mole is somewhat a hero.
i agree with you emil on your answer to number two. i also think that the author named the chapter return of Ulysses because mole became a hero in saving toads house, like Ulysses saved the town of homer.
i agree that thewy did do a good jb of being the bad guys.
I agree with you about how Toad has changed over the course of the book, I COMPLETELY agree with you.(:
I agree with you on how Toad was a hero. He was brave and some other people would never be able to do what he did.
I agree with Toad’s summary you have there. He does get better, and I never thought he’d get to be a bit like our two main characters.
I agree with you about why Kenneth Grahame choused weasels and ferrets, they just look very mean. Where you dont want to be near them like Grinch.
I agree with your answers to one and two but I sort of disagree with part of your answer to question three. I didn’t really think of Toad as a mindless animal. I just thought of himself as full of himself and cared for very few but himself until later in the story. But that’s just my opinion, why do you think Toad was mindless?
or more like this. Why DID you think Toad was mindless when you first met him in the book?
I believed toad was mindless only because he just walked (more so leaped) around not caring for what people thought, in a good way of mindless as ib he didnt Care about stupid things like that. I hope that explains some.
Yeah you totally right Toad is kind of like a hero in ways, ^ -^
I totally agree with you about Toad becoming a hero!
I agree that the bad characters are bad because they seem like bad animals.
1)I think the author made those specific animals ‘bad guys’ because those animals are slim and sneaky. They can ‘weasel’ their way into our houses and barely ever be driven out.
2)Ulysses was supposed to be a Greek hero who took back his home. I think the author chose this story and name because Toad, Mole, Rat. and Badger fought to take back Toads home.
3)I choose Mole to tell what changed since he appeared in the beginning of the story. Mole, in the beginning of the story, was quiet and not familiar with his new surroundings. He was unbalanced in a way. In the middle of the story, he was beginning to recognize his surroundings and learn how to live near water. Mole used to live underground. He wanted to get away from his old home. When he met the Badger, he was happy and excited to meet his because he lived underground with different tunnels and passages going everywhere. This is why the Badger is also so fond of the Mole. Because of his history underground and how he understands Badger. In the end of the story, Mole was like one of the family. He knew everyone and everyone’s personality. Mole has changed a lot through out the story and he most likely will change again.
Jade, don’t you think there is more to just taking Toad’s home back? Just like Ulysses they were heros. The city should always have the right to walk past or go inside Toad Hall. The bad guys were carrying firearms and surronded the perimeter. When Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger overcame Toad Hall, it allowed it to be a place for all to enjoy!!!!!!!
Oh, I agree! Those animals ‘weasel’ into others homes. I like how you used one of the animals as a verb!
I agree with you about the animals being slim and sneaky. Also agree that they can get out of things.
i agree that those animals can be sneaky and slim
I agree on how you chose mole. I think MOle has progressed the most in the story.
I agree that Mole changed a lot. I think that His change was mostly in his confidence.
Mole did change alot through the story
I agree with you after they whesel there way into something they can barley ever be driven out.
Yeah. They are very sly. When I picture a sly animal i thin of snakes or ferrits and small animals.
Do you know what the next book is. I really want to get it as soon as possible so I can start reading. This book was soooo amazing.
i agree with your answer to number tree i myself did not choose mole. but i liked your reasonings for saying that he was the one that you thought had changed tho most from the begging of the book to the end of the book.
i agree they are sneaky and slim animals
I agree with the thought about how the animals are sneakyand i also think with that kenneth grahme made that they weresneakey by saying they struck during a stormy night.
I disagree with you that Mole was unbalaced I think he didnt know his way around.
I think that our number twos are quite similar, so I think it is pretty amazing that they are like that! Love it!
I never thought of him thinking it that way. I thought he was thinking that way becuase there mean animals.
I never thought of Mole as part of the small family, but I guess he is if you think about it. They are like a group now.. Like they’ve created their own family with close-knit friendships.
I agree with your description of how Mole has changed. It was really surprising to me to see someone like Mole turn into a very brave, outgoing person!
I agree I choused the Mole too he was so quiet but now exciting and adventorous.
Yeah if you look throughout the story you can see that he used to be shy. When i meet people(believe it or not) i am pretty shy. But when i get to know them I see that they have to be like me or i have to be like them in some way or another.
Lol yes weasels can weasel around quite a bit.
I was thinking the exact same thing about how the characters fought to get Toad’s home back.
1. I think that the author chose stoats,ferrets, and weasels to be the bad guys because these animals often represent characteristics like being sly and tricky. In the movies, they often resemble being robbers or are tricking others to do what they want. Therefore, these animals are often represented as the bad guys.
2. Ulysses was a greek hero who fought to take back his home in Homer. The title of the chapter was titled ” The Return Of Ulysses” because when Toad was taken off to jail, his few friends were no match to the foresters that overcame his home. Finally, when Toad broke out, they all met up, and planed to get Toad’s home back. In this way, the characters acted like Ulysses. They went through the secret tunnel and ended up on top in the end!
3. I think Toad has greatly changed over the course of the story. In the beginning of the book, I remember Toad being a selfish, rude, rich, and very boastful Toad. This mood was carried throughout the story. Once in a while, his friends would notify him and he would realize his wrongs, but was easily overcame with temptation. Once he found out what people(the stoats, weasels, and ferrets) talked about behind his back, he knew at last his wrongs. He knew he had to stay strong and live up to his fathers expectations. That is when Toad and his friends took a stand and opened the door between them and Toadhall. Once again Toad Hall was rightfully Toad’s!
1.) Stoats, weasels, and ferrets are sneaky or sly animals. I believe Kenneth Grahame chose these animal to play as the ‘bad guys’ due to fact that they are shady animals. Stoats, weasels, and ferrets are also agile animals who can sneak in and out almost unnoticed.
2.) Ulysses was a Greek savior who, like the others said, reclaimed his home. When the chapter was called ‘The Return of Ulysses’ I don’t think it meant only one of them… I believe Ulysses was meant to name all four of them (Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger). They fought the ferrets and such just to take back Toad’s home. That would then make them heroes like Ulysses in a sense.
3.)Well, I can say plenty about all three of those characters, but I’ll choose Toad. I feel like Mr. Toad changed drastically throughout the story. At first he was a happy “man” who did whatever he pleased. Then, he went into some deep depression that worried the others. Eventually, Toad gets over it but he doesn’t exactly go back to normal. Toad seems to have matured quite a bit over the course of the book. He gets much more serious about the things he does.
Yeah I agree. People barely think twice when they here the name. I don;t exactly know what a stote or whatever is anyway. When I go to the pet store I look at all the animals. Only sometimes the ferrits and such. But when I do look at them i only walk by, then move on.
Yeah, stotes look really similar to ferrets. I thought I read something about them being common in England and such.
I think Kenneth Grahame chose those paticular animals because they are usally mischevious animals. Also they are big troble makers, and they know how to get their way around things. I believe he also chose the weasels, stoats, and ferrets was because they look evil and they always are getting into trouble.
1) I think that the author chose these animals for bad guys because I think that they can be mean, brave, and they could possibly even be furious. Also when people think of cats and dogs they think cute and cuddley, but when they see a weasle or a ferret they think of stinky, nasy, and bad animals.
2) like robin hood when someone saves the day they are either known as the hero of the town of return of that hero. Anyway Ulyesses was a hero of mole and rats town.
3) At the beginning of the book toad was a kind, fun, and curious.then he stated spending the money his family left him on stupid stuff like more than one car. After the fact that he was acting like an imuture adult he helped Mole, Rat, Badger, and Ulyesses to save and fight for their town.
1. I think the author made these animals bad guys because of their characteristics in real life. The weasel because it is a very territorial and can sometimes bite. Weasels and ferrets are like a big version of a mole so that’s why he made them those animals.
2. Ulysses was a hero in the story, The Wind In The Willows. He took his home back just like the characters fought for toads home. That’s why the name of the last chapter is The Return of Ulysses.
3. I choose mole. At the beginning, he was a shy quiet little mole. As the story progressed, he met new people. Such as Rat and toad. He turned into an adventurer on adventures with rat. At the end, he ended up helping in the fight for toad hall.
1) I think the author chose Stoats, Ferrets, and Weasles as the bad guys becuase those animals are usually very sneaky. these animals also look like they would be up to no good. Its not a surprise that the author chose these animals.
2) the last chapter is called “The Return of Ulysses” becuase Toad relates to him when he was trying to get his home back from the weasles, Stoats, and Ferrets. Ulysses fought to get his home back after it was taken over. When Toad fought for his home it was like Ulysses all over again. Tht is why the chapter is called “The Return of Ulysses.
3) I think Toad has changed the most through out the book. At the beginning of the book Toad was completely mindless and kind of childish. At the end of the book Toad could take things more seriously. He was able to mature a lot with his friends help. I think his experiance in jail really made him relize that his life wasnt just a game.
I agree with you the animals are very sneaky, they fit the personality description.
I think that the author picked wealses, and stoats because she wanted a bad character that came in numbers. A connection that I made was if anyone has seen the movie Who Framed Rodger Rabbit, were the weasles are the bad guys just like the wind in the willows. The antagonist that has a big group has the tendancy to seem bigger and badder.Especialy if the protagonist are a smaller group.In the text it says there were hundreds of them, and thats alot more than four.
Ulysses was a greek hero that saved a town called homer. I think that the last chapter is called the return of ulysses becouse Mole seems to be a hero of toad hall. Toad saved toad hall like Ulyesses saved homer. If it wasnt for Mole toad hall would still belong to the weasles. And if it wasnt for ulysses Homer would be in ruin.
It is true that the good guy changes through the coures of a story. Thats why Im going to type about toad because he changed alot. Toad started as a selfish “Ass”. But as the story went on he learned his lesson from mistakes. By the end of the book he became a Loyal and a wise freind. Even though it took braking out og jail, steeling a horse, and beating a army of weasles.
1) I think the author chose those animals to represent the BAD GUY’S mainly becasue that is how every one see’s them. They are known to be sneaky and unrelieable animal’s. People often look at these animal’s or creature’s if you will and see bad, groose, or strangely showadowy. They are darker creatures to me.
2) Ulysses is the latin word for odysseus witch mean’s king of Ithaca, or a greek leader. I believe this chapter is named ulyssess because, in this chapter mole and his friend’s become leader’s. They fight for what they want. That is why the chapter is named “the return of ulysses. In this final chapter mole becomes more of a hero.
3) I chose mole, because he has changed so much over the couse of the story. At first he was kind of alone but over time he made friend’s. Mole started out kind of being a little bit of a pushover. He let people walk all over him, but after time he became more strong willed, learned how to stick up for himself and speak on his own behalf. As time passed mole changed a lot he is still very responsible and carful with people and evry thing eles but has also loosed up a bit and learned how to be a little free. In basic terms the child has mitured into an adult.
1) i think that the author choose certain animals to be the “bad guys” because of there capabilities and their fetters. for empale, the weasel is fast and seems to be able to get into places that may be harder for other animals. also the ferret is like this to. also i think that they would be hard to catch. like it may take forever just to find someway to catch them. also, because making them faster makes them be able to get away with crimes easier than other animal people things.
2) Ulysses was supposed to be a Greek hero who saved the town of homer. and in chapter 12 mole was somewhat of a hero, and he was sort of mentioned as the return of Ulysses. also, i think this because mole helped toad fight to get his home back. but mole wasn’t the only one who helped toad get his home bad. badger, rat, and toad himself all fought to get toad hall back.
3) Over the chores of the book there are many characters that have changer from the begging. The character that i choose is toad. i think that he has changed the most from the beginning of the book to the ending because in the beginning he was not very responsible. also, he liked to find something new to do every two seconds.as the book went on his friends , mole, rat, and badger, tried doing things to control everything that he was doing. For example, they had badger talk to him in a room in toad hall, but that wasn’t enough for to realize that what toad was doing was wrong and careless. Towards the end in chapters 8 and 9 he was arrested, and escaped. then, i think from being locked up he had matured a huge amount and became a hero at the end. i think that this makes him just as an important character as mole and rat are.
1) i think he picked those animals because ferrets are slim and really fast moving and can hide in small spaces. i also think he picked them because they can jump really high and run away fast if caught. i think weasels because they are sneaky and very quiet. i think they picked both of them because they are great with blending in with their surroundings. i also think that because they can pull of the bad guy roll. unlike any other animal.
2)Ulysses is the hero of the Odyssey the Greek epic poem homer. i think that they named it “The Return of Ulysses” because in chapter 12 toad mole rat and badger went and took back toads home. and in the epic greek poem of homer thats what Ulysses did.
3) i pick toad, toad at first he was really nice. then he went to being really rude and bossing rat and mole around. then he went back to being okay.
i agree with you on 1
Claire – This is the second time you have responded to people with “I agree”. Please read the directions on the assignment. They clearly state that your replies should be more than a simple “I agree.” Your replies should foster conversation and questioning, not just say “I agree.”
You are very right in the second question because you explain why they are heroes.
1. I think that kenneth grahme chose stoats weasels and ferrets to repersent the bad guys because the there not the kindest animals in nature . I also think he wanted to show the point of view from the mole and the badger to be scared because they know they aren’t the nicest creatures .
2.the Ulysses is a latin word for the greek hero named oddeseyand he was a hero that saved a town called homer and is said to have taken ten years to find his way home after the trojan war .
3.The toad changed over the course of the storie a lot he was all over the place with how he felt and what he did . When the toad was first brought up in the story he spent money on everything he wanted and there was no way of stopping him from what he wanted to do.then after his friends kept him under close watch he became deprest ,but after the had tricked them to get his way we found out that the beginning of the story wasn’t the the craziest the toad cou;d be .After all of the mistakes he made he ended up unhappy and in prison .However he made himself look hopeless and got himself out with the help of the wardens daughter .Then he has help from the water rat to change after he saved him from the oath he was headed down .You finally see him acting civil instead of crazy at the end of the story .
A Ulysses is a greek god or Hero in greek mythlogy. In the Chapter 12 it refers to the Mole because he was the one that moved the wheals out and made sure that they never came back. So in the story the Mole is considered the Ulysses.
In the story many of the characters changed in their own way. But to me the character that I thought changed the most was Mole because at the begging of the story he very shy and wasnt very adventurous. He also didnt know his way around the town, because he usally stayed underground. But throughout the story he became more confident and more adventurous. The Mole also became very good friends with Rat, Badger, and Toad. He was very loyal to his friends and he also stuck by their side through thick and thin. He learned new thinngs about different people throughout the story. He stood up for what was right. He connected differently withall his animal friends.Mole’s personality also changed over the course of the story. TA the begging of the story Mole had perosnality of timid peorsn he wasnt sure about what he should say or waht he should do in situations. But at the end of the story Mole changed dramticlly . He even became a Ulylsses.
1) I believe that Kenneth Grahame chose these characters, because they are very sneaky, sleazy animals in real life. Especially the weasel because he plays mostly the sneaky, conniving person/character in other books, stories or television shows. So, these characters I believe were a very good decision to make these characters bad.
2) I think he chose to call the chapter that name, because he might have thought that since Ulysses had this long voyage to fight and go back and fight for his wife and home. And it is very similar to what Toad and his friends had to do to get back his home.
3) The character that has change a lot that I would like to speak about is Toad. Toad has changed over the course of the book. Because he has went from so many emotions, he was happy and proud and then he was sad and depressed in the snap of a finger. He was very depressed and sad, and that made the other characters confused and maybe even sad themselves. It was very emotionally shaking when Toad was sad. He basically bought the life to the story. Because no one was really sad and depressed until Toad. SO, he brings everything together and it is quite depressing to me too.
1.Kenneth Graham choose stoats, weasels, and ferrets for bad guys mainly because of how they appear to the human eye. When you think of a ferret or a weasel, you don’t think of a loving, caring animal. You most likely think of a dangerous, sneaky animal. Also, if you see one of the animals, you probably think they are going to start trouble or do something frightening.
2. Ulysses was a Greek hero that was supposed to save the town of Homer. He also wanted to take back his home so Toad and his friend’s fought to take back Toad’s home.
Mole has also a hero in Chapter 12, and Ulysses was a Greek hero so it relates.
3. Toad has changed of the course of the book because he started off a a clueless, childish creature. He was very fun to be around, and was certainly outgoing. But, throughout the book, Toad became more mature. He would always save the day, and he cared much more for his friends and surroundings. He turned into a very brilliant animal, and it seemed like he was a whole different person. It seemed like Toad went from being 6 years old to being 20. He seems like he now knows how important his life is, so he starts acting more serious and focused. He has come along way and has cared for a lot of people, but it just seems like he isn’t being his regular self.
1) I think the author mainly choose all those animals because there from the Wild Woods. I always think of the woods as a scary place. The author probably thought so too . I would think of all the scary animals in there, that are mentioned already in the book. The animals the author picked could be visious in real life. These animlas could look and sound scary too.
2) Its because a guy named Ulysses went home to his wife, and found strangers in there. They were mainly trying to kill his wife, so he kicked them out. This is exactly what Toad does, and its a repeat. It would be the perfect name for it because he is doing what Ulysses did. Thats why they call it “The Return of Ulysses” .
3) Mole was an adventerous, and questionable person at the begining of the book. He wasnt nervous to go explore or try new things. He went into the Wild Woods, went BACK to his home, and stayed with Toad for a while. He questioned why people dont go into the woods and why they do what they do. Twards the end of the book he knew more and knew more of all of his friends personalities. He changed from being a questionable person to being a well known person( he will always be adventerous).
I agree with you on Mole. He was very adventerous and he was a great hero in the end of the book. He was also very scared about the wild wood and went around asking people about whats in it.
i agree too with what you said about mole
1. I think the author made those animals be bad because they are sneaky and easy to evade detection. They are escape artists, really, and can’t be messed with.
2. Ulysses was a Greek hero that got his home back. The chapter is named that because Rat, Mole, Toad, and Badger all rose up in a fight to get back Toad’s home.
3. I chose Toad. He goes through so many dramatic changes. At the beginning of the story, he was throwing away money on the dumbest things! He was selfish and somewhat nice, but then came his obsession with motorcars, and he could never stay away from them. He was just fascinated that he couldn’t see anything around him, and just throwing away his life. So then he turned adventurous and stole one and landed in jail. He needed help, but he denied it. Over his journey home, he found his friends were right about him and that he needed to be more generous, and he realized how bad he’d been and how awful he treated everyone.
1.) Kenneth Grahame chose animals like weasels and ferret to represent bad guys because they kind of have a reutation for being sneeky, agressive, and thevies. they are depicted in nature as being theives stealing eggs or things and they can be mean and agressive in temperment and they are sneaky.
2.) The last chapter was named The Return of Ulysses because Mole, Rat, and Toad are just like Ulysses and his crew and tried to take back Toad’s home just like Ulysses and his crew did.
3.) I choose Mole as my charater that changed through the course of the story. He went from being shy and timid to becoming adventorous. When Mole met Badger he began to open up and become brave and liked to explore which he never did before. Mole became more open and he liked being with his friends and helping them and he became brave.
I agree with you Sabrina that the animals that were choosen to become angery and evil that they have a bad reutation for being sneaky and thevies.
1.) I think the author probably sat down and reflected upon the characters and their personalities. He probably wanted to show more in depth by portraying them as animals. He probably considered the way the animal acts by nature to show another aspect of them.
2.) Ulysses was a supposed “Greek god/hero” who saved the land of Homer. I think this chapter was called this because of when Mole, Toad, Badger, and Rat saved the day by getting back Toad’s estate. The others thought of the good deed as the return of Ulysses.
3.) I think a good example for this question would be Mole. His personality towards the beginning of the book and the end of the book changes drastically. Since Mole was fist moving in he seemed shy, and not very outgoing. But that’s probably because he was nervous of what was to come of the town to him. Were the people going to be rude? Or nice? Was he going to live happily there? and etc. But after he warms up to the riverbank and learns his surroundings, his true personality began to show. Mole got to be actually very outgoing, and social! He is anything but shy! Near the end of the story, Mole showed his inner strengths of braveness and hoe courageous he was. Especially when he steps up with the others to help out Toad. Mole to me stood out the most as a character in this book. He had a lot of sides to him, and was just very very detailed. At times it actually made me think that Mole could very easily be a human.
I agree with your view on mole he changed alot and same I pictured alot of the animals as humans
I know right? It’s sort of hard to picture them as only animals and not have any kind of human characteristics.
1) I think the auther chose them as the bad guys because in alot of stories they are. They have sharp teeath and claws so they seem like they would be good characters to play a villian. They have slender bodies that make it so they can sneak into places to pull off crimes without being caught. Plus i can image a ferret or a weasle wearing a little villian mask and running around with a sack of money he just stole from a bank .
2)Ulysses is a hero fromt he odysessy a greek epic, written by Homer. hehe that reminds me of home simpson. He was trying to get back home to ithaca. He is known for being cunning and smart. I think the chapter is named that because toad,mole,badger, and rat were trying to get toads home back from the weasels and stouts. THEY DID. then party time woho. 😀
3) The person or animal or anphibian i chose was toad! In the beginning of the story to me toad just seemed really snooty, uptight and somewhat stupid. He really relayed on his money for everything and he still does a little. I think that since in chapter 7 or 8 i think it was when he went to jail and got back he seemed less of a uptight rich goof off. I think he learned that just because he is rich he cant get what he wants always and there will be times when he has to get by without money. He is more serious with what is going on and is able to have fun with doing more important things now. I think this is because of the experience he had in jail. He acts like he finally grew up. yay toad!
Ah, I agree. I always enjoy reading your responses… They’re entertaining XD
I agree on your view on toad. I too feel he was snobby at the start but then became a mature grown up.
1. I think the author chose the characters stoats, ferrets, and weasels because they all look and sound like somewhat “bad” characters. Also, they all have a reputation to be sneaky and non friendly.
2. Ulysses was a Greek hero who fought to get his home back. I think the author used this story because the characters fought to get Toad’s home back.
3. I would like to talk about Toad. At the beginning of the story Toad was the type of person who could make you happy no matter what. He just had that charm. But over the course of the story, he became much more serious and focused on what needed to get done. He could also be called a hero, which makes him just as important to the story as any other character in the book.
I agree on all three of your views. The animals are generally “bad” animals.
1.) I think the author made those animals “bad guys” because those animals can be very sly, sneaky, and clever. And i found most ferrets being mean. Only because iv had a very bad experience with ferrets. So maybe the author made those animals bad guys because those animals are known to being aggressive.
2.) Ulysses is a greek god and he was a hero, I think that the author called the last chapter “The Return of Ulysses” because you could say mole was a hero. In a way.
3.) i choose Toad. And he had changed throughout the story because when he were first introduced to him, he was very selfish. Plus, he was also outgoing and had a “loud” style. But then throughout the story Toad is very slowly becoming more and more mature. He starts to understand how smart he really is. He also starts to become sort of a hero. Right now in the story, he isnt himself, but i dont think he notices that. He’s very serious and more “down” than he was in the beginning of the book.
1. I belive the author choose stoats,weasels, and ferrets to be the bad guys because they really do look like a bad guy with their hair all ruffled (at least thats how i see them). They also might be agressive like how the real animals are in the world. Or he had a bad exprince with on of the animals.
2. Ulysses of what I found was a greek hero of greek storys that were written by Homer. He was trying to get his home back like how everyone was trying to get Toads home back from the weasels and all the other bad guys.
3. The reason I choose Taod was that he most did change through out the story. He started out as a kind old gentle man and as we got to the middle of the story became much more admused with the motor-cars that were passing down the street and got him-self thrown into jail for one that he stole. Then as we near the end he realizes how smart and how he should spend his money. He does become a hero in the end of the story. At the begining of the book I didn’t really like him all that much but now at the end I find out I am alot like him.
I agree on your view of the “bad” guys . I imagained them looking dirty and gross looking too.
I never really look at the bad guys as brin gross and what not, but I can kind of see it now
Being*
i agree also about the view of the bad guys
I belive the author choose stoats,, weasels, and ferrets because theese creatures are usaully looked down open. Let’s face it we probably wouldn’t want theese animals as pets (well maybe some people you never know) running around your home. I find all theese animals to be grudgy and also to be sly and sneaky. Perfect for a bad guy if you ask me.
Ulysses is a greek hero in myths he fought to get his home back. I think the chapter was named after Ulysses because all the animals needed to fight to get Toads house back. Much like the greek hero did.
I choose mole to be the chracter that changed the most in the wind and the willows to me it seems he went from being a meek shy animal who lived by the rules. To a aventourous animal with little to no fear but at the same time was able to keep his common scense . He always had adventure in his heart and when the time came to set it free he did. He learned many things about nature and exploring. He also learnt there id no place like home . I think we all will be able to connect to moles changes while we’re in England 🙂
Sorry for it being so late >.<
This is super late Dx I feel bad
1. The author probably chose stoats, weasels, and ferrests because the animals arent really thought about too often. Plus I bet alot of people didnt even know about these animals. Some of these animals even remind me of raccoons. Like I would awkwardly stare at a stoat if i saw one, just like I would to a raccoon. Alot of people hate raccoons so I guess these animals are sneaky and all so its perfectly matched with the book.
2. Welll Ulysses is not a general, but a greek hero. He went on adventures and always found his way home, by fighthing many obstacles. I think the chapter was called Ulysses because all the animals had to find their way back to Toads house from a very fantastic adventure.
3. I think Toad changed the most because in the beginning he was really happy and energetic and a bit annoying to other charecters. Then became a bit depressed, yet still himself.
I Agree with Caitlyn that the author might have had a bad experience with the animals.
1.I think that Kenneth Grahame choose the stoats, ferrets, and weasels for the bad guys because these animal are very sneaky, so they make great “bad guys”.’
2.Ulysses is greek hero. This greek hero was always fighting to get home, kind of like the animals in the story were. I think that is why the last chapter was called Ulysses.
3. Toad has changed a ton over the course of the story. He started off very happy. Then, he became a great hero. After becoming a hero, i think he became more serious.
I agree with your idea that Kenneth Grahame was referring to the characters as “bad guys”(:
1. I think that the author chose the aminals he did (stoats,ferrets, and weasels) to be the bad guys because these animals often represent human characteristics like being sly and tricky. In movies, they often resemble being robbers or tricksters by tricking others to do what they want them to. In other words, the animals that Kenneth Grahame chose were representing bad guys.
2. Ulysses was a supposed be a greek god or hero who saved the land of Homer. I think this chapter was called this because when Mole, Toad, Badger, and Rat saved the day by getting back Toad’s house. The others thought of the good deed was in the return of Ulysses.
3. I chose Toad because he changed the most through out the story. He started out as a kind, old, friendly man. As I read to the middle of the story, Toad became much more admused with the motor-cars that were passing up and down the street and got him-self thrown into jail for one that he stole. Then as I neared the end, he realizes how smart he truly is and how he should spend his money. He becomes a hero in the end of the story, this makes him a better character and I liked him a lot more.
I think Kenneth Grahame chose stoats, ferrets, and weasels for the bad guys because these animals all have a conniving, devious outlook on them. Kenneth Grahame separates the good and bad animals to be good and bad characters. When you think of a weasel you think of an animal that dose what he wants when he wants and always is on the bad guys team. When you think of a mole you think of a poor creature that is small and helpless. He chose a good set of bad guys for the book.
In the Greek myths Ulysses was a hero and save many people in a town. Kenneth Grahame chose the title The Return of Ulysses for the final chapter because Mole, Toad, Rat, and Badger were heroes. They all helped Toad get his home back and they used teamwork to do it. This chapter was right to be called The Return of Ulysses because it is the making of heroes in everyone.
Over the entire book there has been many over comings and many revolutions. All of the characters were turned into heroes but one stood out to me and that was Mole, to think the book started with him just tidying up the home. He has become a true heartfelt friend to everyone, he first meet up with Rat and instantly it was a mach made in heaven. He has meet many people and has overcome many obstacles. In my perspective Mole has become the hero of many, but mainly he is a hero of himself.
1) I believe that the author chose stoats, weasels, and ferrets as the bad characters because of their personalities. The animals are known for being disgusting, cruel animals. Nobody sees them as fond or kind. They are just seen as evil, like the characters.
2) I think that the last chapter was called Return of Ulysses because like to the Greek with Ulysses being a hero, so was Mole. Only Ulysses saved Homer’s home, and Mole saved Toad’s.
3)In my opinion, out of all the characters that have changed throughout the story, I think that Toad has changed the most. At the beginning of the story, Toad was selfish, but still fun to be around. And he wasn’t a very mature animal. But throughout the story, he matured immensely. Toad turned into a hero, a savior.
1.) I think Kenneth Grahame choose animals like the stoat, weasel, and Ferrets to represent the bad guys in the book, cause when you see or think about those animals you seem to picture a criminal.
2.) Ulyesses Was a Greek hero who went to get his home back, after it was taken from him. Toads home was taken from him by Ferrets, so him and his friends went back , too get it back.
3.) I choose toad. In the book Toad has changed a lot. In the beginning Toad was a happy, Fun to be around kind of guy. At the end he seemed to take things more serious. Toad matured and became a Hero.
i totaly agree with toad he has alway been changing. from the time we met him he has always been doing something at least a little diffrent.
I agree Taylor Toad was always a fun kind of guy, but not very mature at first. Throughout the book he changed and matured.
I agree with your idea Madalyn about how all the characters became hero’s, and what you said about Mole. Mole overcame many obstacles, and was a great friend to everyone.
i think Kenneth Grahame choose the animals he did because they all represent the vilens in the book. they represent all of the guys that most people would’nt want to be around. i think this because when you see them or even think of them the first picture that pops into your head is one of those criminals that cause trouble.
Ulyesses is the Greek hero in the story. in the story he went to get his home back because it was taken from him. also toads house was capturen by the ferrets so toad also went back to claim his home back.
i choose toad because in the start of the story toad was the miss fit. people were always saying that he wasnt a nice guy and they started to spread things. so when new comers came they didnt really want to be part of toad, or even know him. but once the mole and water rat came to meet toad they realized that he wasnt the kind of animal that people said he was. and because toad finally had some friends that he knew he could relie on he became the nice guy. the rumars stopped and as time passed he made friends and grew stronger. so throughout the course of the story toad has changed in every way possible. every now and then toad might have that moment were he becomes his normal self but its understandable, because when people were lauging at you your whole life, its just a little hard to forget it.
1. i think Kenneth Grahame choose these group of animals for the bad guys is because in the real life these animals cause the most damage.
2. Ulyesses is a hero in the story(he is also a greek god). in the book Ulyesses fought for his home.
3. i choose mole because at the beginning mole was always in his house and did nothing. then later met rat and started his adventure. this adventure changed mole forever. it made hime very adventorious. that is why i picked mole.