The Wind in the Willows - Ch 4-6

[Sara]

Maybe picking on the rabbits was a little backlash against Beatrix Potter. :)

I certainly find all these character come alive and the Velveteen Rabbit would undoubtedly recognize them as kindred spirits.

[Linda2]

That's possible. Potter published her first books just before this. The rabbits never show up in the book again.

[Catherine]

I found the characterization of the rabbits as "dumb" a bit strange. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't "dumb". I had to stop and think a minute before moving on in the story.

[Everyman]

Catherine wrote: "I found the characterization of the rabbits as "dumb" a bit strange. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't "dumb". I had to stop and think a minute before moving on in the story."

My grandchildren have two rabbits, and I can't disagree with Rat. They are indeed dumb. In both senses of the word.

[Catherine]

Everyman wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I found the characterization of the rabbits as "dumb" a bit strange. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't "dumb". I had to stop and think a minute before moving on in the s..."

Hmmm. I haven't had much experience at all with rabbits; never owned a pet rabbit. The only rabbits I have experience with are the ones that sneak through our backyard fence and are then chased by the dog. At first they would run around inside the fence when the dog came out and, of course, they would be caught and brought to me or my husband as a gift! (still living!) Then, they "learned" to run through a gap in the gate and they would keep running. Now, they run through the gap and sit just on the other side of the fence, staring back at the dog. It's like the "learned" their survival skills.

[Sara]

Love that story, Catherine. Not too stupid--they learned exactly what the limits of the dog were. Of course, they might have died before they learned if he had been a little more vicious.

[Karel]

Catherine wrote: "...when the dog came out and, of course, they would be caught and brought to me or my husband as a gift! (still living!) ..."

Maybe it wasnt a gift, more like a culprit, I imagine the dog as a guard saying: "Boss, I found this trespasser, what do you want to do with him?" ;)

[Linda2]

Everyman wrote: "My grandchildren have two rabbits, and I can't disagree with Rat. They are indeed dumb. In both senses of the word. "

Potter would disagree with you.

[Everyman]

Rochelle wrote: "Everyman wrote: "My grandchildren have two rabbits, and I can't disagree with Rat. They are indeed dumb. In both senses of the word. "

Potter would disagree with you."

Well, since I know some of Potter's other stories, I don't mind having her disagree with me. Some of her later stories are really, really bad.