# Father — At the Back of the North Wind character guide > Father in At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald. **Role:** minor **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-hayloft ## Who they are Diamond's father, also called Joseph. ## Relationships ### [Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/diamond) _family_ Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mother) _family_ Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing hardships together with mutual care. ### [Mr. Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mr_raymond) _professional_ Diamond's father works as a cab driver for Mr. Raymond, who employs him and shows him kindness. ### [North Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/north_wind) _psychological_ Diamond's father is bewildered and troubled by North Wind's mysterious presence in his son's life. ### [Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/diamond) _family_ Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family. ### [Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/diamond) _family_ Diamond admires and loves his hardworking father, a cab driver who struggles to provide for the family. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mother) _family_ Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing hardships together with mutual care. ### [Mr. Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mr_raymond) _professional_ Diamond's father works as a cab driver for Mr. Raymond, who employs him and shows him kindness. ### [North Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/north_wind) _psychological_ Diamond's father is bewildered and troubled by North Wind's mysterious presence in his son's life. ### [Mr. Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mr_raymond) _professional_ Diamond's father works as a cab driver for Mr. Raymond, who employs him and shows him kindness. ### [North Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/north_wind) _psychological_ Diamond's father is bewildered and troubled by North Wind's mysterious presence in his son's life. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/mother) _family_ Diamond's parents share a loving, supportive marriage, facing hardships together with mutual care. ## In the story ### [The Hayloft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/i-the-hayloft) Mentioned as having said that making a window into Mr. Dyves's garden would be against the law. ### [V: The Summerhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](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'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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xiii-the-seaside) Mentioned as having no work due to Mr. Coleman's misfortune, but Diamond trusts him. ### [Old Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xiv-old-diamond) Diamond's father, a former coachman, buys back his old horse Diamond and sets up as a cabman. ### [XV: The Mews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xv-the-mews) Father is initially troubled by the move but is cheered by Diamond's infectious laughter. ### [Diamond Makes a Beginning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xviii-the-drunken-cabman) Quoted by Diamond regarding the dangers of drink and the 'thirsty devil'. ### [XIX: Diamond’s Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xix-diamond-s-friends) Engages in a conversation with Diamond about friendship, initially skeptical but moved by Diamond's perspective. ### [Diamond Learns to Read](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xx-diamond-learns-to-read) Decides Diamond should learn to read and begins teaching him using the book of rhymes. ### [Sal’s Nanny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxi-sal-s-nanny) Trusts Diamond to go alone to find Nanny. ### [XXIII: The Early Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxiii-the-early-bird) Falls ill with a fever and is bedridden. ### [Another Early Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxiv-another-early-bird) Ill in bed, but his health improves upon hearing of Diamond's success. ### [XXV: Diamond's Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxvi-diamond-takes-a-fare-the-wrong-way-right) Improves in health and spirits upon hearing of Diamond's helpfulness and maturity. ### [XXIX: Ruby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/xxix-ruby) Diamond's father considers Mr. Raymond's proposal, initially skeptical but ultimately agreeing after discussion with his wife. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/characters/father - 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