At the Back of the North Wind

At the Back of the North Wind, an allegorical fantasy short story collection written by Scottish author George MacDonald, tells the journey of a young boy named Diamond who has nighttime adventures with the mysterious North Wind. It first appeared as a series of short stories in a children’s magazine and was later compiled into a book in 1871. Taking place in the Victorian era, it features many characteristics of this literary time period, such as religious allusions, the influence of social class, and a focus on the day-to-day life of the characters. George MacDonald was a Christian minister and author who is widely thought of as a pioneer of modern fantasy literature. Notably, he mentored Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Other works by MacDonald include Phantastes: a Faerie Romance for Men and Women (1858) and The Princess and the Goblin (1872).

This study guide utilizes the 2017 edition published by the CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. The full text is in the public domain and available at Project Gutenberg.

Plot Summary

The narrator explains some of the legends surrounding the country found at the back of the north wind. He transitions into discussing a little boy named Diamond, who lives with his family in rooms above the coach house that his father’s employers, the Colemans, own. One night, a voice calls to him through a hole in the wall. Through this hole emerges a beautiful woman, who identifies herself as the North Wind. That first night, he tries to follow her outside but is too slow and loses her. Mrs. Crump, also employed by the Colemans, eventually finds him and escorts him home. He believes the night to be a dream.

One week later, the North Wind returns. She takes Diamond to London, where she transforms into a wolf to scare an abusive woman and grows huge to sweep through the streets. Diamond sees a little girl struggling against the wind and insists on helping her despite the North Wind’s warnings about getting lost. However, he is unable to help the girl, whose cruel grandmother has locked her out of her home. Diamond and the North Wind wander the streets of London until a wind gradually guides Diamond home.

When the North Wind visits again a week later, she takes Diamond with her to sink a ship, but she pities his soft heart and deposits him inside a cathedral before she performs the deed. He hears the voices of saints as he sleeps there, but their mean words outrage him, and he awakens back in his own bed.

Diamond is sent to the seaside town of Sandwich to spend time with his aunt. The North Wind visits him there, and he asks her to take him to the country at her back. She agrees, and he goes on a long voyage, riding ships and icebergs until he arrives. Once there, he finds a peaceful country filled with music. The people there do not speak, and Diamond discovers a tree that allows him to see his family. When he gets a vision of his mother crying, he resolves to return home. He finds the North Wind sitting frozen outside the country, but he warms her heart and helps her thaw. She guides him back to Sandwich, where he awakens and finds his mother sobbing. She tells Diamond that he has been very sick and has slept for a week.

Diamond’s father has lost his job because Mr. Coleman engaged in dishonest business practices. The ship the North Wind sank belonged to him, and sinking it was punishment; it also caused the disappearance of Miss Coleman’s suitor. Diamond’s father purchases one of Mr. Coleman’s old horses and a cab. Diamond’s family, with a new baby boy in tow, moves to London, taking apartments above some stables. They are glum, but Diamond sings and takes care of the baby. He often raises their spirits through his kindness and innocent worldview. Diamond learns how to drive a cab from his father and Mr. Stonecrop, the owner of the mews. The other men who work in the stables become very fond of him, and he teaches them to be more careful about their words and jokes.

While working for his father and taking care of his brother, Diamond assists multiple people around town. He meets the sweeper girl, Nanny, he tried to help while with the North Wind and chases away boys who are bullying her. He helps Mrs. and Miss Coleman to a new home, where they are kind to Diamond and his father. He also helps the cabman next door, whose alcoholism causes him to abuse his family; Diamond’s gentleness and kindness helps him begin to recover from his drinking problem. Diamond meets a gentleman named Mr. Raymond who offers to pay Diamond and give him a book if he learns how to read. Diamond does so, using a book of nursery rhymes he found on the beach in Sandwich. Nanny gets severely sick, and Diamond turns to Mr. Raymond for help getting her to a hospital to recover. Shortly after, Diamond’s father falls too ill to work, and the family gradually runs out of resources.

To help his family, Diamond begins driving the cab. He meets some resistance from bullies and cab drivers who do not know him, but he perseveres and receives help from his friends. One day, a man whom he believes to be a gentleman helps him. In return for his help, Diamond offers to give him a ride and realizes the man is Mr. Evans, the presumed-dead suitor of Miss Coleman. Diamond assists with their reconciliation.

Diamond’s father begins to recover. Mr. Raymond loans his horse, Ruby, to Diamond’s family in exchange for their taking care of Nanny and teaching her how to be a nurse. The horse turns out to be a lot of trouble, but Nanny is a pleasure to have and helps when Diamond’s mother has her third baby, a daughter. Mr. Raymond returns from his trip and offers Diamond’s father permanent employment as his cab driver in the country. The family, along with Nanny and her friend Jim, all move to the countryside with Mr. Raymond and his new wife.

The family happily settles into their new life. Mrs. Raymond hires Diamond to be her page. While doing so, he meets the narrator, who is struck by how kind, innocent, and unique he is. It is in the countryside that the North Wind finally returns, talking to Diamond about her nature and discussing whether she is a dream. Diamond confides in the narrator about his experiences with the North Wind, and the narrator comforts him. Finally, the North Wind takes Diamond back to his first home, letting him explore the now-abandoned property. At his request, she tells him it is time to return home. When the narrator visits the Raymond household several days later, he finds Mrs. Raymond sobbing and Diamond’s body tucked into his bed in the attic. The narrator is sympathetic but assures the reader that Diamond is not dead. He has returned to the country at the back of the north wind.