# Diamond — At the Back of the North Wind character guide > Diamond in At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald. **Role:** major **Also known as:** little Diamond, old Diamond, young Diamond, big Diamond, boy Diamond, Master Diamond, XIV Old Diamond, XIII The Seaside Diamond, XVI Diamond, XX Diamond **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-hayloft ## Snapshot A coachman's son whose gentle, dreaming mind lets the North Wind carry him over ice and sea, and who never loses his fearlessness once he has ridden on her back. ## Who they are Diamond grows up poor but cherished, the son of a cabman, and earns his living driving fares about London while quietly believing that the odd things he sees are as real as the mud outside his door. When North Wind takes him to her back, he learns to fear nothing she can become, and the trust between them lets him meet the world with a patience that puzzles everyone around him. His unshakable gentleness is what draws the story forward, turning strangers into friends and small errands into quiet acts of rescue. ## Relationships ### [North Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/north_wind) _psychological_ Diamond has a mystical, guiding relationship with the personified North Wind, who takes him on transformative journeys between life and death. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mother) _family_ Diamond shares a deeply loving and tender bond with his mother, who cares for him through poverty and illness. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/father) _family_ Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family. ### [Nanny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/nanny) _family_ Nanny is Diamond's devoted nursemaid and later a beloved family member, caring for him with gentle affection. ### [Mr. Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mr_raymond) _friendship_ Mr. Raymond is a kind, wealthy gentleman who becomes Diamond's friend and benefactor, often telling him stories. ### [Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/joseph) _friendship_ Joseph is a stableman and friend to Diamond, sharing a simple, loyal companionship. ### [Ruby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/ruby) _friendship_ Ruby is a fellow child and friend of Diamond, with whom he shares playful and innocent interactions. ### [Miss Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/miss_coleman) _social_ Miss Coleman is a kind young woman who teaches Diamond and shows him gentle attention. ### [Mr. Stonecrop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mr_stonecrop) _social_ Mr. Stonecrop is a rough, drunken cab driver who occasionally interacts with Diamond in a gruff manner. ### [Old Sal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/old_sal) _social_ Old Sal is an elderly, poor woman whom Diamond visits and helps with compassion. ### [Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/jim) _friendship_ Jim is a young friend of Diamond, often playing and sharing adventures with him. ### [Birdie Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/birdie_brown) _friendship_ Birdie Brown is a sweet, delicate child and close friend of Diamond, sharing innocent play. ## In the story ### [The Hayloft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/iii-old-diamond) Wakes early, climbs onto Old Diamond, and later accompanies North Wind on a nighttime journey. ### [IV: North Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xi-how-diamond-got-home-again) Longs to return home and finds North Wind after seven days. ### [XII: Who Met Diamond at Sandwich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xiii-the-seaside) Shows innocent wisdom and trust in the face of his mother's worries about poverty. ### [Old Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xiv-old-diamond) The horse Diamond, now thin and bony, is joyfully reunited with his former master. ### [XV: The Mews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xx-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxi-sal-s-nanny) Shows compassion and resourcefulness by seeking help for Nanny despite the danger. ### [Mr. Raymond’s Riddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxii-mr-raymond-s-riddle) Diamond visits Mr. Raymond, reads from his book, and explains his songs made with baby. ### [XXIII: The Early Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxiii-the-early-bird) Cares for the baby and recites a poem to comfort his mother. ### [Another Early Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxiv-another-early-bird) Drives the cab all day, earns money, solves a riddle, and returns home to his mother. ### [XXV: Diamond's Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxvii-the-children-s-hospital) Visits the hospital with Mr. Raymond and sits with Nanny. ### [Little Daylight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxviii-little-daylight) Not directly present in this embedded tale, but the chapter is part of Diamond's story. ### [XXIX: Ruby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxii-diamond-and-ruby) Listens to the horses' conversation after being led to the stable by North Wind. ### [The Prospect Brightens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-prospect-brightens) Shows wisdom and love, sings a song about the baby, and interprets Ruby's behavior as angelic. ### [In the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxiv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxxviii-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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/diamond - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters