# Rat — The Wind in the Willows character guide

> Rat in The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the Water Rat, Ratty, Mr. Rat

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-river-bank

## Snapshot

Practical river-dweller who loves his boat, his breakfast, and his friends, and would rather stay home than chase anyone's grand adventure.

## Who they are

Rat is the steady center of riverbank life, a poet in his spare hours and a loyal friend who knows every bend of the stream. He is torn between his love of home and his inability to disappoint Mole, whose wistful longing for the open road he cannot quite refuse. When Badger arrives to announce that Toad's hour has come, Rat springs up without hesitation, revealing the moral seriousness beneath his easygoing surface.

## In the story

### [The River Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/i-the-river-bank)

Welcomes Mole to the river, sculls the boat, rescues Mole after the capsizing, and describes river life.

### [Mr. Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/iv-mr-badger)

Stays with Mole at Badger's, feels the atmosphere oppressive, greets Otter.

### [Dulce Domum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/v-dulce-domum)

Accompanies Mole, cheerfully helps restore the house, organizes supper, and tactfully lifts Mole's spirits.

### [Mr. Toad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/vi-mr-toad)

Participates in the intervention and is tricked by Toad's escape; later crestfallen.

### [The Piper at the Gates of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/vii-the-piper-at-the-gates-of-dawn)

Rat learns of Portly's disappearance from Otter, hears the piping music, and leads Mole to the island where Portly is found.

### [Toad’s Adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/viii-toad-s-adventures)

Mentioned fondly by Toad as 'clever, intelligent Rat' during his lament.

### [Wayfarers All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/ix-wayfarers-all)

Restless and unsettled by the changing season; becomes entranced by the Sea Rat's tales and nearly leaves home; ultimately calmed by Mole's friendship.

### [X: The Further Adventures of Toad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/x-the-further-adventures-of-toad)

Not directly present in this chapter; Toad's adventures are solitary.

### [Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xi-like-summer-tempests-came-his-tears)

Anxious about Mole's safety and tries to keep Toad calm; participates in the planning of the recapture.

### [The Return of Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xii-the-return-of-ulysses)

Helps with the banquet preparations and confiscates Toad's disgraceful invitations, replacing them with simple ones.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/water_rat
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters