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The river symbolizes growing up, freedom, and independence. Early in the novel, it’s the catalyst for young Mole’s coming-of-age. Readers first meet Mole as Mole is spring-cleaning his underground home—but Mole suddenly throws down his cleaning supplies, leaves his home, and in his wanderings, encounters the river. Mole has never seen a river in his life, and it opens up a whole new world for him. Finding the river also introduces him to the riverbank-dwelling Rat (who quickly becomes his friend, mentor, and roommate), and their time on the river empowers him to learn new things and decide what he wants his life to look like. With Rat’s guidance, Mole learns to swim, row, and safely navigate the river. It proves a harsh teacher at times, as when Mole first snatches the oars from Rat so he can try rowing himself and ends up capsizing the boat. But in the end, Mole emerges from his first summer on the river a more mature, “emancipated” animal who is fulfilled by his new above-ground life. Life on the river provides him freedom and independence that, he suggests, he never could’ve enjoyed had he stayed in his underground home.
The river also helps Toad decide to essentially grow up, stop being conceited and selfish, and assume his role as the gentleman of Toad Hall. While Toad’s love of cars symbolizes his impulsiveness and immaturity, it’s an unexpected dip in the river that helps Toad decide that it’s time to change his ways and give up cars forever. In much the same way that falling into the river humbles Mole when Mole erroneously tries to row before he knows how, the river is a calming, humbling force that encourages Toad to be gracious and mature.
The River Quotes in The Wind in the Willows
The The Wind in the Willows quotes below all refer to the symbol of The River. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter One
Quotes
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. […]
“In or out of ‘em, it doesn’t matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that’s the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don’t; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you’re always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you’ve done it there’s always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you’d much better not.”
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“Ratty, my generous friend! I am very sorry indeed for my foolish and ungrateful conduct. My heart quite fails me when I think how I might have lost that beautiful luncheon basket. Indeed, I have been a complete ass, and I know it. Will you overlook it this once and forgive me, and let things go on as before?”
“That’s all right, bless you!”
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Chapter Three
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Such a rich chapter it had been, when one came to look back on it all! With illustrations so numerous and so very highly coloured! The pageant of the river bank had marched steadily along, unfolding itself in scene-pictures that succeeded each other in stately procession. Purple loosestrife arrived early, shaking luxuriant tangled locks along the edge of the mirror whence its own face laughed back at it. Willow-herb, tender and wistful, like a pink sunset cloud, was not slow to follow. Comfrey, the purple hand-in-hand with the white, crept forth to take its place in the line […]
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Get the entire The Wind in the Willows LitChart as a printable PDF.
The River Symbol Timeline in The Wind in the Willows
The timeline below shows where the symbol The River appears in The Wind in the Willows. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter One
Mole can’t imagine being any happier when suddenly, he comes to a river. He’s never seen one before, but this one seems like a “sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal,”...
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...on a rope. This reveals a boat that Mole loves instantly. Rat rows across the river, helps Mole into the boat, and then begins to row back across. When Mole admits...
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Rat suggests they spend the day on the river, and Mole promptly agrees. So, Rat fetches a big wicker picnic basket, passes it to...
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...of rowing. Otter chuckles, snatches a mayfly out of the air, and disappears into the river. Mole is surprised, but animal etiquette means it’d be rude to ask about Otter’s disappearance.
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...Rat’s home, and Rat lights a fire. Then, Rat tells Mole exciting stories about the river all evening. They have supper, and then Rat shows Mole to a guest room.
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...the newly “emancipated” Mole. Throughout the summer, he learns to swim and adores the rushing river. Occasionally, he hears the wind whispering into the reeds.
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Chapter Two
...sneers that this is the life for a gentleman; now Rat can talk about his river. Sadly, Rat says he thinks about his river all the time. Mole takes Rat’s paw...
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...they get to town, the two of them can get a train back to the river. At the town, they drop Toad in the station waiting area, leave the horse at...
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Chapter Three
...Mole passes the summer happily and doesn’t think of Badger much until winter. As the river rushes past Rat’s house, Mole wonders about Badger. Rat spends his days sleeping, scribbling poetry,...
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Chapter Four
...over, Badger leads his friends back to the fire and asks for news from the river, and specifically of Toad. Rat says things are bad—Toad had yet another crash last week....
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Chapter Five
...home. He follows Rat. Rat doesn’t notice anything amiss until they’re very close to the river. At this point, Mole sits down and sobs with grief. After a while, Mole chokes...
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...home. Mole should start sniffing for it. Mole says they need to get to the river bank for supper, but cheerily, Rat says they’re going to Mole’s old home no matter...
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...is plain and simple, but it’s meaningful. Mole isn’t ready to abandon life on the river aboveground, but it’s nice to know his home is always ready to welcome him back.
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Chapter Seven
...they fetch the boat and head out. Rat paddles cautiously; the dark shadows make the river difficult to navigate, and there seem to be strange voices speaking. Things become less frightening...
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...the weir, which turns the water green and makes it foamy where it dams the river. In the middle of the stream there’s a small island covered in trees. They land...
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Chapter Nine
...but they have to get started before it’s too late. Annoyed, Rat returns to the river, which never leaves for the winter.
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In some of the trees by the river, Rat spots several swallows. He asks the swallows if they’re really leaving now. One says...
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...the south be like? Rat closes his eyes, imagining, and when he opens them the river looks gray and cold. He interrupts the birds and ask why they ever come back...
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...things he can hear, like moorhens and cows, and says that Rat’s life on the river is great if one is strong enough. Rat says his life is the best, but...
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Chapter Ten
...through air and likes the sensation until he hits the ground. Then, he leaves the drivers struggling in the muddy pond and runs away as fast as he can. When he’s...
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Chapter Eleven
Rat pulls Toad out of the river by his scruff. Toad is relieved and happy—at his friend’s house, he won’t have to...
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...sighs and says Rat is right. He’s done with cars after his dip in the river, though he has another idea related to cars. Seeing Rat recoil, Toad says they can...
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...over Toad Hall. Rat explains that when Toad was imprisoned, everyone gossiped. Everyone on the river stuck up for Toad, but animals in the Wild Wood said Toad got what he...
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...Rat says it’s no good to try again, but Toad takes Rat’s boat up the river anyway. From the river, Toad Hall looks tranquil and deserted—until, when Toad is under the...
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Chapter Twelve
...to follow him, Mole first, then Rat, and then Toad. He leads everyone down the river and then swings down into a hole. The others follow—though Toad falls into the river....
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...back and says that the sentries are no longer an issue. Most rolled into the river, and Mole took their guns.
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