At the Back of the North Wind · Chapter
At the Back of the North Wind explained
The narrator recounts Diamond's metaphysical conversations with North Wind and his eventual death.
What happens
The narrator recounts Diamond's metaphysical conversations with North Wind and his eventual death. Diamond appears pale and cold after a silent visitation from North Wind, and is later found lying on the floor of the attic-room, having passed away. The narrator recognizes that Diamond has gone to the back of the north wind.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Resolution.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Diamond’s i…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Dreams and Reality
Diamond's conversations with North Wind blur the line between dream and reality, and the narrator questions whether North Wind is a dream.
- Innocence and Wisdom
Diamond's innocent nature allows him to engage in profound metaphysical discussions without pretense, embodying wisdom through innocence.
Characters to notice
- Diamond
The child protagonist who recounts his conversations with North Wind and dies at the end of the chapter.
- North Wind
The mysterious being who visits Diamond silently, appearing white as snow with blue eyes.
- Nanny
Mentioned as having called Diamond a silly along with Jim.
- Jim
Mentioned as having called Diamond a silly along with Nanny.
- Mr. Raymond
Mrs. Raymond is mentioned as having been crying; the narrator visits the Raymonds' home.
Key passages
“Could it be all dreaming, do you think, sir?”
Diamond asks the narrator if his experiences with North Wind might be just dreams.
Diamond's uncertainty about the reality of his encounters with North Wind.
“I knew that he had gone to the back of the north wind.”
The narrator realizes that Diamond has died and gone to the place North Wind spoke of.
The narrator's recognition of Diamond's death as a journey to the back of the north wind.
