At the Back of the North Wind

At the Back of the North Wind mostly takes place in the city of London, which—while not described in detail—is dirty, muddy, and bad-smelling. The unpleasant surroundings of the city sharply contrast with descriptions of nature, which Diamond observes with a sense of wonder. The earliest example of this comes when Diamond, having just experienced his first night with the North Wind, notices a primrose growing in the hollow of a tree. As he studies it, it occurs to him that “it was saying its prayers, and he ought not to be staring at it so” (15). Diamond establishes a connection between nature and tranquility—a connection that continues throughout the novel.

By contrast, Diamond’s struggles intensify in relation to proximity to the city. The family’s move to the city is difficult and causes lasting problems, ranging from illness to impoverishment to neighbors that disrupt their peace. However, nature imagery continues to appear in the short stories and poems that Diamond reads, which coincide with positive occurrences in Diamond’s life. For example, reading “Little Boy Blue,” which tells of a little boy’s journey through distant, uninhabited lands, is linked with Diamond building a friendship with Mr.