Diamond

North Wind

Diamond has a mystical, guiding relationship with the personified North Wind, who takes him on transformative journeys between life and death.

Mother

Diamond shares a deeply loving and tender bond with his mother, who cares for him through poverty and illness.

Father

Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family.

Nanny

Nanny is Diamond's devoted nursemaid and later a beloved family member, caring for him with gentle affection.

Mr. Raymond

Mr. Raymond is a kind, wealthy gentleman who becomes Diamond's friend and benefactor, often telling him stories.

Joseph

Joseph is a stableman and friend to Diamond, sharing a simple, loyal companionship.

Ruby

Ruby is a fellow child and friend of Diamond, with whom he shares playful and innocent interactions.

Miss Coleman

Miss Coleman is a kind young woman who teaches Diamond and shows him gentle attention.

Mr. Stonecrop

Mr. Stonecrop is a rough, drunken cab driver who occasionally interacts with Diamond in a gruff manner.

Old Sal

Old Sal is an elderly, poor woman whom Diamond visits and helps with compassion.

Jim

Jim is a young friend of Diamond, often playing and sharing adventures with him.

Birdie Brown

Birdie Brown is a sweet, delicate child and close friend of Diamond, sharing innocent play.

The Hayloft

The young boy who sleeps in the hayloft, curious and trusting, he opens the hole in the wall and agrees to go with North Wind.

II: The Lawn

Diamond ventures out in his nightgown, feels disappointed at North Wind's absence, and is found by Mrs. Crump on the lawn.

Old Diamond

Wakes early, climbs onto Old Diamond, and later accompanies North Wind on a nighttime journey.

IV: North Wind

Shows compassion by insisting on helping the little girl despite the risk; later shares his story with her and invites her home.

V: The Summerhouse

Rides the horse Diamond to the forge, learns to guide the horse by obeying its movements, gives a penny to the crossing-sweeper girl, and later encounters North Wind in tiny form in the summerhouse.

VI: Out in the Storm

Diamond is carried by North Wind into the storm, initially fearful but finding courage in her embrace. He questions her about sinking a ship, ultimately affirming his trust in her goodness.

VII: The Cathedral

Learns courage by walking alone on the cathedral gallery; questions North Wind about suffering and bravery; tries to sing nursery rhymes but finds them silly in the vast church.

VIII: The East Window

Dreams of the Apostles in the window, defends North Wind, and later explores the garden after the storm.

IX: How Diamond Got to the Back of the North Wind

Diamond journeys with North Wind, obeys her instruction to walk through her despite the pain, and later visits his aunt in Sandwich where he explores the town and befriends an old woman.

X: At the Back of the North Wind

Diamond is the protagonist who visits the country at the back of the North Wind and later recalls his experiences there.

XI: How Diamond Got Home Again

Longs to return home and finds North Wind after seven days.

XII: Who Met Diamond at Sandwich

Recovering from illness after his journey with North Wind; taken to the seashore by his mother.

XIII: The Seaside

Shows innocent wisdom and trust in the face of his mother's worries about poverty.

Old Diamond

The horse Diamond, now thin and bony, is joyfully reunited with his former master.

XV: The Mews

Diamond maintains his cheerful disposition despite the dismal new surroundings, drawing strength from his memories of the back of the north wind.

Diamond Makes a Beginning

Wakes determined to be useful, helps with baby and chores, asks to drive the cab, and accepts Mr. Stonecrop's invitation.

Diamond Goes On

Shows his thoughtful nature by questioning his mother about poverty and disgrace; demonstrates courage and kindness by defending a girl from bullies; becomes skilled at driving and caring for horses.

The Drunken Cabman

Wakes to the commotion, goes to the cabman's room, comforts the baby, sings and talks to him, and inadvertently inspires the cabman to feel remorse.

XIX: Diamond’s Friends

Shows wisdom in defining friendship as a choice, gives his penny to the crossing-sweeper girl, and receives a gentleman's card promising a reward for learning to read.

Diamond Learns to Read

Learns to read from the book of rhymes his mother found on the seashore, and reads the poem 'Little Boy Blue'.

Little Boy Blue

As Little Boy Blue, Diamond is the central figure who commands the creatures and elements, ultimately learning the importance of purpose and home.

Sal’s Nanny

Shows compassion and resourcefulness by seeking help for Nanny despite the danger.

Mr. Raymond’s Riddle

Diamond visits Mr. Raymond, reads from his book, and explains his songs made with baby.

XXIII: The Early Bird

Cares for the baby and recites a poem to comfort his mother.

Another Early Bird

Drives the cab all day, earns money, solves a riddle, and returns home to his mother.

XXV: Diamond's Dream

Diamond is exuberant about his family's good fortune, chattering about nonsense and angels before dreaming of a star-filled adventure.

Diamond Takes a Fare the Wrong Way Right

Drives his cab, picks up Mr. Evans, and cleverly reunites him with Miss Coleman despite the storm.

XXVII: The Children’s Hospital

Visits the hospital with Mr. Raymond and sits with Nanny.

Little Daylight

Not directly present in this embedded tale, but the chapter is part of Diamond's story.

XXIX: Ruby

Diamond discusses Nanny's future with Mr. Raymond, showing concern for her well-being and suggesting his mother could teach her housework.

XXX: Nanny's Dream

Visits Nanny in the hospital, listens to her dream, and interprets it with his characteristic faith in the deeper meaning of dreams.

The North Wind Doth Blow

Teaches Nanny to care for the baby and to read; sings new songs to the new baby girl; gives up his room for Nanny.

Diamond and Ruby

Listens to the horses' conversation after being led to the stable by North Wind.

The Prospect Brightens

Shows wisdom and love, sings a song about the baby, and interprets Ruby's behavior as angelic.

In the Country

Has grown stout and healthy; arranges for Jim to join the move; finds quiet delight in the countryside, dreaming of the back of the north wind.

XXXV: I Make Diamond’s Acquaintance

Reading a fairy story, discussing his opinions with the narrator, helping frightened children, showing his nest, and singing during a thunderstorm.

Diamond Questions North Wind

Climbs the beech tree to look at the moon, dances with North Wind in the attic room, and anxiously questions whether she is real or a dream.

XXXVII: Once More

Sings to a suffering lady, visits his old home, and journeys with North Wind along a brook.

At the Back of the North Wind

The child protagonist who recounts his conversations with North Wind and dies at the end of the chapter.