At the Back of the North Wind · Character

Father

Diamond's father, also called Joseph.

minor

First appearance: The Hayloft

Father's tie to Diamond is one of the pressures that moves At the Back of the North Wind—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mentioned as having said that making a window into Mr.

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With Diamond (family): Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family. With Mother (family): Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing…

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See Father in The Hayloft

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Father sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Diamond's social circle
Minor and story characters
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Diamond’s i…

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Relationships

Diamond
family · positive
Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide… How this plays out →
Mother
family · positive
Mr. Raymond
professional · positive
North Wind
psychological · negative
Diamond
family · positive
Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide… How this plays out →
Diamond
family · positive
Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide… How this plays out →
Mother
family · positive
Mr. Raymond
professional · positive
North Wind
psychological · negative
Mr. Raymond
professional · positive
North Wind
psychological · negative
Mother
family · positive

Diamond
Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family.
Mother
Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing hardships together with mutual care.
Mr. Raymond
Diamond's father works as a cab driver for Mr. Raymond, who employs him and shows him kindness.
North Wind
Diamond's father is bewildered and troubled by North Wind's mysterious presence in his son's life.
Diamond
Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family.
Diamond
Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family.
Mother
Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing hardships together with mutual care.
Mr. Raymond
Diamond's father works as a cab driver for Mr. Raymond, who employs him and shows him kindness.
North Wind
Diamond's father is bewildered and troubled by North Wind's mysterious presence in his son's life.
Mr. Raymond
Diamond's father works as a cab driver for Mr. Raymond, who employs him and shows him kindness.
North Wind
Diamond's father is bewildered and troubled by North Wind's mysterious presence in his son's life.
Mother
Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing hardships together with mutual care.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Father in The Hayloft

In the story

Father appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Hayloft
Mentioned as having said that making a window into Mr. Dyves's garden would be against the law.
V: The Summerhouse
Takes Diamond to ride the horse Diamond to the forge, allowing him to guide the horse; later warns Diamond not to dismount.
IX: How Diamond Got to the Back of the North Wind
Diamond's father is present at breakfast, jokes with his wife about Diamond's health, and agrees to let Diamond visit his aunt in Sandwich.
XIII: The Seaside
Mentioned as having no work due to Mr. Coleman's misfortune, but Diamond trusts him.
Old Diamond
Diamond's father, a former coachman, buys back his old horse Diamond and sets up as a cabman.
XV: The Mews
Father is initially troubled by the move but is cheered by Diamond's infectious laughter.
Diamond Makes a Beginning
Proud of Diamond's driving instinct, lets him hold the reins briefly, and maintains his dignity despite fallen fortunes.
Diamond Goes On
Takes Diamond on his cab; proud of Diamond's defense of the girl; recognized by Mrs. and Miss Coleman as Joseph.
The Drunken Cabman
Quoted by Diamond regarding the dangers of drink and the 'thirsty devil'.
XIX: Diamond’s Friends
Engages in a conversation with Diamond about friendship, initially skeptical but moved by Diamond's perspective.
Diamond Learns to Read
Decides Diamond should learn to read and begins teaching him using the book of rhymes.
Sal’s Nanny
Trusts Diamond to go alone to find Nanny.
XXIII: The Early Bird
Falls ill with a fever and is bedridden.
Another Early Bird
Ill in bed, but his health improves upon hearing of Diamond's success.
XXV: Diamond's Dream
Father is in bed, recovering, and Diamond imagines how he would have helped him if they were poor.
Diamond Takes a Fare the Wrong Way Right
Improves in health and spirits upon hearing of Diamond's helpfulness and maturity.
XXIX: Ruby
Diamond's father considers Mr. Raymond's proposal, initially skeptical but ultimately agreeing after discussion with his wife.

Chapter companion notes

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